Industry · Fintech
Fintech Company Setup in Dubai & the UAE
From innovation licences to fully regulated financial services.
The UAE is the region's fintech hub. Early-stage and non-regulated fintechs can start fast on an innovation or tech licence, while regulated activities (payments, lending, asset management) belong in DIFC or ADGM under the DFSA or FSRA.
Non-regulated fintech from ~AED 12,500; DIFC Innovation Licence from ~USD 1,500/yr; regulated firms cost substantially more.
What's involved
Regulated vs non-regulated
Payments, lending, custody and asset management need DFSA (DIFC) or FSRA (ADGM) authorisation. Software/SaaS fintech can use a tech or innovation licence.
DIFC & ADGM
Both offer common-law frameworks, fintech hubs and strong banking credibility — the standard homes for regulated fintech.
Innovation licences
Subsidised innovation/tech licences let you build and raise before you're fully regulated.
Banking & substance
Regulated firms face capital and substance requirements; we help structure for both approval and 0% qualifying income where possible.
Recommended free zones
Frequently asked
01Do I need a financial licence for my fintech?＋
Only if you perform regulated activities (payments, lending, custody, advice, asset management). Pure software/SaaS fintech can often operate on a technology or innovation licence.
02DIFC or ADGM for fintech?＋
Both are excellent common-law financial centres with fintech ecosystems. The right one depends on your regulator relationship, cost and network — we'll advise based on your model.
Start here
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