The Dubai FinTech Summit’s 2nd edition wrapped up on Tuesday, announcing that the 3rd edition is scheduled for 7th-8th May 2025.
Hosted by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the Summit enjoyed the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and President of DIFC.
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC, underscored the transformative impact of FinTech, citing its sixfold global revenue growth and the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies. He projected a further rise in FinTech’s influence, expecting it to capture an additional 5 percent of the global financial services market share this year and significantly impact banking valuations in the years to come.
Amiri attributed Dubai’s forward-thinking leadership for prioritising the future of finance and highlighted DIFC’s pivotal role in the FinTech revolution. He also stressed DIFC’s 20-year track record of embracing innovation and its dedication to collaborating with industry leaders, investors, and regulators to drive successful implementation.
He outlined DIFC’s distinctive proposition for FinTech firms, emphasising their comprehensive ecosystem that integrates FinTech into the region’s financial framework. This ecosystem attracts talented entrepreneurs, fosters collaboration, offers global connectivity, and provides a business-friendly environment with access to funding.
Amiri recognised the vital role of government support for innovation, citing Dubai initiatives like the DIFC FinTech Hive, launched in 2017, and recent ventures like the Venture Studio Launch Pad and AI Web3 Campus as evidence of this commitment. He stressed that these initiatives ensure DIFC remains the preferred destination for FinTech companies in the region.
He highlighted DIFC’s milestones, including pioneering the world’s first digital asset law, establishing clear ownership, transfer, and security principles, as well as regulating AI systems within the context of data protection and privacy. Additionally, DIFC introduced bespoke venture-building regulations aimed at accelerating startup growth.
Amiri noted DIFC’s success in attracting over 5,500 financial services firms, including global and regional banks, asset and wealth managers, insurance and reinsurance companies, family offices, and supporting entities. He also underscored the presence of more than 42,000 professionals, making DIFC the region’s most extensive financial talent pool.
