Dubai International Financial Centre has released its latest Future of Finance report, outlining how emerging financial cities are gaining ground on traditional global hubs by adopting innovative models that attract capital, talent, and high-growth enterprises.
The report positions Dubai among the leading next-generation centres reshaping the global financial landscape.
Launched in partnership with Asia House during a webinar attended by more than 600 executives, the sixth edition examines how cities such as Dubai, Miami, Milan, São Paulo, and Shenzhen are strengthening their competitiveness. It notes that while established hubs like New York, London, and Hong Kong remain influential, they face mounting challenges that include rising costs, ageing infrastructure, political uncertainty, and limited regulatory evolution.
The report evaluates emerging centres through key global indices and identifies four attributes that underpin long-term competitiveness. These include the ability to attract talent, the strength and adaptability of financial infrastructure, the quality of regulation and governance, and international connectivity. It concludes that the future of global finance will be shaped by interconnected networks of centres that leverage their own strengths to build dynamic ecosystems.
DIFC Chief Executive Officer Arif Amiri said that emerging hubs are moving faster than established ones by adopting comprehensive reforms and forward-looking regulatory frameworks. He added that Dubai’s Common Law system and specialised financial regulations give it a clear advantage.
The report features insights from global industry leaders who highlight Dubai’s rise in international rankings, the importance of quality of life in attracting professionals, and the value of cooperation between traditional and emerging hubs.
DIFC now hosts more than 8,000 registered companies and is ranked among the world’s top four FinTech cities. Its ecosystem of more than 1,500 FinTech, AI, and innovation firms has raised over USD 4.2 billion, reinforcing Dubai’s growing influence in global finance.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
