Robinhood Markets has gotten approval from regulators to launch its retail investing platform in the Middle East and plans to start in 2027. Robinhood will set up its operations in Dubai’s Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), marking its expansion beyond the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
A Bloomberg report published on October 22, 2026, said that the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has given Robinhood permission to offer trading and custody services to investors in 10 approved asset classes.
Robinhood chooses the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as its regional headquarters to drive its Middle East expansion, having received authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to introduce its retail investing platform in the Middle East from DIFC. The company plans to launch its product suite in 2027.
@DIFC I @RobinhoodApp— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 22, 2026
The approval covers equities, cryptocurrencies, exchange‑traded funds (ETFs), and investment tokens, among eligible assets.
Robinhood Targets Middle East Investors Through Dubai
The planned expansion will allow Robinhood to set up a base in Dubai and begin serving eligible retail investors under the rules and regulations that apply in the area.
Robinhood is landing in Dubai’s premier financial hub! 🇦🇪
The region has quickly become one of the world’s most dynamic centers for financial innovation, driven by a growing wave of retail investors.
Establishing our presence in the DIFC is a major milestone in our mission to increase financial ownership globally and build the world’s leading financial ecosystem.
https://t.co/dE1d7qEnPw
— Johann Kerbrat (@JohannKerbrat) October 22, 2026
The DIFC, which is a hub for international businesses, will serve as the center for Robinhood’s operations in the Middle East. Still, Robinhood has not said when it will launch in 2027 or shared details about the set of products it plans to offer.
This step is part of the company’s effort to grow in international markets and find new opportunities outside of its main U.S. Business.
Robinhood Builds Its Global Presence
Robinhood has taken steps to expand its retail investing services internationally. Robinhood entered the United Kingdom in 2024. Robinhood launched operations in the European Union in 2025.
In April 2026, Robinhood also received approval to offer brokerage services in Singapore. This move helps Robinhood broaden its reach. The Dubai authorization adds another market to Robinhood’s growth plan, giving Robinhood a route to reach investors across the Middle East.
Robinhood Shares Decline With Expansion Plans
Robinhood shares traded at $96.55 on October 23, 2026, down 5.29 percent, from the close of $101.94, according to market data. The stock had a reported market capitalization of around $88.5 billion. Even though Robinhood has expanded internationally, Robinhood shares still depend on market conditions and investor sentiment.
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