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9 articles
Economy
ADGM added more funds and asset managers in the second quarter of 2026 than in any quarter on record, while DIFC's foundations and family wealth vehicles kept compounding at double-digit rates. This installment of the Ledger opens a fresh baseline built entirely from the two centres' own first-half disclosures.
Finance
Emirates NBD has partnered with the Dubai Future District Fund to source, pilot and potentially commercialise artificial intelligence and FinTech solutions built by startups in the fund's portfolio. The deal gives founders a direct route into one of the region's largest banking groups at a time when the UAE's FinTech market is projected to nearly double by 2029.
Economy
The Dubai Financial Services Authority has rolled out updated crypto token rules, recognised three fiat backed stablecoins and begun embedding agentic AI into its own operations. The reforms land as DIFC bank assets hit 251 billion dollars and more than half of its firms report active AI use.
Economy
Dubai International Financial Centre has surpassed 10,000 active registered companies for the first time in its history, growing 30 percent over the past year on the back of surging demand from AI, fintech and wealth management firms. The milestone strengthens Dubai's push to become one of the world's top four financial centres under the D33 economic agenda.
Funding
Deep Finance Capital has launched in Dubai's DIFC as the first AI-native asset manager, running its investment process through a proprietary platform called NEXT. The firm, which emerged from Rasameel Investment House, is positioning itself as a bridge between European institutional capital and Gulf investment opportunities.
Funding
Dubai Future District Fund added eight new investment commitments in 2025, growing its portfolio to 30 positions across venture funds and startups. The expansion leans further into artificial intelligence and property technology as part of Dubai's D33 economic agenda.
Technology
Dubai's DIFC has announced a plan to become the world's first AI native financial centre, one where AI agents can be formally registered as recognised participants alongside banks and asset managers. The centre is backing the shift with $350 million, and projects it will unlock $3.5 billion in economic value and 25,000 new jobs.
Business
Dubai's startup ecosystem has entered a new phase of maturity in 2026, hosting over 3,800 active startups with a combined valuation exceeding $32 billion. This report examines market size, sector performance, key players, investor sentiment, and the outlook for founders, operators, and capital allocators navigating the UAE's most dynamic growth environment.
Business
Dubai's free zones remain one of the fastest ways for foreign founders to launch a business in the UAE in 2026, offering 100% ownership, zero import duties, and setup timelines as short as 3 days. Here is everything you need to know, step by step.