Robinhood selects Dubai for Middle East expansion

American financial services platform Robinhood has announced its expansion into the Middle East, selecting the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as its regional headquarters. The company has received authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to provide trading and custody services.

Robinhood plans to launch its products in the region by 2027. The approved services cover 10 asset classes, including stocks, cryptocurrencies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investment tokens.

Salah Kaddoura will lead the regional operations as Managing Director and President of Robinhood MENA. The company cited demographics, innovation, and strategic regulation as the primary drivers for this expansion, aiming to provide a new generation of investors with access to a broader range of global financial assets.