Fintech licensing in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
In the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) issues the fintech and crypto licences. Here the Atlas covers 7 licence types, in 5 families: bank, fund manager, investment firm, money transmitter and virtual asset service provider. Each licence page has its legal basis, fees and decision period, with sources.
Financial regulators in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Fintech licences available in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Bank / credit institution
Fund manager
Investment firm / broker-dealer
- IF · Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Investment firm licence
Financial Services Permission for Dealing in Investments as Principal (Category 2)DFSA
- IF · Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Investment firm licence
Financial Services Permission for Dealing in Investments as Agent or Operating an Alternative Trading System (Category 3A)DFSA
- IF · Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Investment firm licence
Financial Services Permission for Advising on Financial Products or Arranging Deals in Investments (Category 4)DFSA
Money transmitter / money services business (MSB)
Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA)
Path to market
Start with your activities. Match them to the licence types above: the activity pages show which licence permits each one. DFSA runs pre-application meetings, an innovation hub and a regulatory sandbox, and the regulator page explains how to use them. Applications go to DFSA with the capital, governance and AML documentation that the licence page lists.
Getting licensed in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Protegra handles licensing in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) end to end: crypto licensing in DIFC.
Need this licence, or a different one?
Tell us your business model and target markets. We check the fit before you spend on an application, then handle the licence end to end.
A free preliminary assessment: we check your business model against the licence before you spend on an application. We handle this licence and any other fintech licence, including jurisdictions the Atlas does not cover yet.