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Dubai's Financial and Business Sectors Surge with Record DIFC Firms and New VARA Licensing
Dubai's International Financial Centre (DIFC) reported a record first half of 2026, hosting 10,018 active registered companies—up 30% year‑on‑year—with 1,134 regulated financial‑services firms, a 16% increase. The centre’s ecosystem now includes 327 banking and capital‑markets firms, 165 insurance and reinsurance companies, and 592 wealth‑management firms, and gross written premiums reached US$4.2 billion in 2025. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted the milestone as evidence of growing global confidence in Dubai’s legal and regulatory environment.
The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), created under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022, became the world’s first independent regulator dedicated solely to virtual assets. VARA oversees virtual‑asset activities across Dubai’s mainland and free zones (excluding the DIFC) and requires all Virtual Asset Service Providers to obtain a license, aligning with FATF standards to protect investors and mitigate illicit financial risks.
Commitbiz celebrated its 19th anniversary, noting that it has assisted more than 20,000 companies in establishing operations across Dubai and the UAE. The firm also supports over 5,000 clients with tax, accounting, and compliance services, helping businesses navigate recent UAE reforms such as corporate tax, foreign‑ownership changes, and digital government initiatives.
Entities
Commitbiz · Dubai · Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) · Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum · Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] VARA requires all virtual asset service providers operating in Dubai mainland and free zones (excluding DIFC) to obtain a license. xpertadvisory.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Commitbiz has supported over 5,000 clients through its tax and accounting services.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] DIFC added 2,318 new active firms over the past 12 months, representing 30% year‑on‑year growth.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Commitbiz has helped more than 20,000 companies establish a presence in Dubai and the UAE over 19 years.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] DIFC had 10,018 active registered companies at the end of the first half of 2026.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The number of regulated financial‑services firms in DIFC increased to 1,134, up 16%.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] DIFC's gross written premiums reached US$4.2 billion in 2025.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] VARA was established under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022 as an independent regulator for virtual assets. xpertadvisory.com