Finance and Markets in the UAE
The guides at a glance
| Topic | Key fact | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Banks and currency | 62 banks: 24 national banks and 38 branches of foreign banks | Banking and the dirham peg |
| Dubai shares | 69 listed companies and about 1.28 million investors | Dubai Financial Market (DFM) |
| Abu Dhabi shares | AED 171 billion traded in H1 2026 | Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) |
| Sukuk and bonds | USD 141 billion of debt listed on Nasdaq Dubai | Nasdaq Dubai |
| Government sukuk for individuals | Retail Treasury Sukuk from AED 1,000 | Sukuk and bonds |
| Listed property | REITs on DFM and Nasdaq Dubai | REITs |
| Financial free zones | 10,018 active DIFC companies and 13,974 active ADGM licences | DIFC and ADGM |
| Startups | UAE startups raised USD 895 million in H1 2026 | Startups and venture capital |
| Family offices | Minimum family net assets: USD 50 million in DIFC, USD 10 million in ADGM | Family offices |
Source: Central Bank of the UAE: Quarterly Economic Review, September 2026; DFM: Investor presentation, H1 2026; WAM: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange records strong H1 2026; Nasdaq Dubai: 33 fixed income listings worth USD 13.8 billion in H1 2026; Ministry of Finance: Retail T-Sukuk; DIFC: H1 2026 results; ADGM: H1 2026 results; MAGNiTT: MENA venture capital, H1 2026 review; DIFC: Family office handbook, 2026; ADGM: Family offices2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12
Who regulates what
| Area | Regulator |
|---|---|
| Banks, finance companies and the dirham | Central Bank of the UAE |
| DFM and ADX | Capital Market Authority, previously the Securities and Commodities Authority |
| Nasdaq Dubai and firms in DIFC | Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) |
| Financial firms in ADGM | Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) |
Source: UAE Government Portal: Financial markets10
Markets and finance
Banking and the dirham peg
AED 3.6725 to the dollar, and 62 banks.
3.6725 Dirhams per US dollar since February 2002
Read moreDubai Financial Market (DFM)
69 companies, AED 982 billion, and how to open an account.
69 Listed companies, end of June 2026
Read moreAbu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)
AED 2.8 trillion, and how to get an investor number.
AED 2.8tn Market value, end of June 2026
Read moreNasdaq Dubai
USD 141 billion of sukuk and bonds in DIFC.
USD 141bn Sukuk and bonds outstanding, mid 2026
Read moreSukuk and bonds
Treasury sukuk, auctions and retail sukuk from AED 1,000.
1,000 AED minimum for Retail T-Sukuk
Read moreREITs
Listed property funds on DFM and Nasdaq Dubai.
AED 14.3bn Dubai Residential REIT market value, 31 March 2026
Read moreDIFC and ADGM
Two financial centres with their own laws and courts.
10,018 Active companies in DIFC, end of June 2026
Read moreStartups and venture capital
USD 895 million raised in H1 2026, and where to start.
USD 895m Raised by UAE startups, H1 2026
Read moreFamily offices
DIFC or ADGM, minimum assets and corporate tax.
USD 50m Minimum family net assets in DIFC
Read more
Sources
- UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet
- Central Bank of the UAE: Quarterly Economic Review, September 2026
- DFM: Investor presentation, H1 2026
- WAM: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange records strong H1 2026
- Nasdaq Dubai: 33 fixed income listings worth USD 13.8 billion in H1 2026
- Ministry of Finance: Retail T-Sukuk
- DIFC: H1 2026 results
- ADGM: H1 2026 results
- MAGNiTT: MENA venture capital, H1 2026 review
- UAE Government Portal: Financial markets
- DIFC: Family office handbook, 2026
- ADGM: Family offices
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.