Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

DIFC specialises in companies engaged in financial activities. Among the areas available are banking, brokerage, FinTech and many others. It is currently the most developed and fully operational financial free zone in Dubai.

Companies from the crypto-industry are registered in the free zone. It has its own regulation for the issuance and circulation of digital financial assets, as well as its own supervisory authority. The Dubai Virtual Assets Law does not apply here.

Free zone also allows for activities that, although not financial, are related to it. These may be companies that offer their goods and services to financial companies in order to increase their efficiency (e.g. legal, consultancy services). It also includes companies that help create a conducive environment for leisure and lifestyle (shops, cafes, fitness centres and others).

Free zone is located in Dubai, close to Downtown.

• An essential feature of the DIFC is its legal system, which is based on English common law rather than UAE civil law. The DIFC Free zone also has its own court to resolve disputes.
• Crypto company registration. The free zone has its own regulation and is overseen by an independent body, the DFSA.
• You need to open an account and also have an office in order to get a license.

Freezone has only one type of license, the commercial license. It is issued to all companies registered with the DIFC. It contains the details of the company as well as the declared activities. However, the mere issuance of a license does not give the right to provide financial services.

A license from the DFSA must also be obtained before starting to provide financial services.

The authorised capital of a public company must be at least USD 100,000, 25% of which must be paid up.

The issued share capital of a private company must be greater than zero in order to register.

Thus, for a private company with limited liability in the financial sector, the following are required:

• Questionnaire with details of the company, founders, beneficiaries, sources of funds.
• Business plan.

The free zone website lists the fees for each type of company to be set up and the specific service to be provided. Generally, the following costs are required to register a private company:

1 to 4 weeks depending on speed of submitting documents.