Swiss FINMA grants recognition to Dubai Financial Market as foreign trading venue

Dubai Financial Market announced today that it has received recognition from Switzerland's Financial Market Supervisory Authority as a foreign trading venue.

This approval establishes a dual pathway: it allows FINMA-supervised Swiss entities direct access to DFM and permits the trading of equity securities from Swiss-incorporated companies on the exchange. This creates a regulated connection between two major financial hubs, enabling direct participation from Swiss institutions and facilitating the listing of Swiss company shares in Dubai.

The recognition underscores the strength of DFM's regulatory framework under the UAE Capital Market Authority and the close cooperation between UAE and Swiss regulators, both signatories to the IOSCO multilateral memorandum.

DFM hosts over 1.2 million investors from 212 nationalities, with foreign investors constituting about 85% of its base. This new status is expected to deepen its international reach by providing a direct, regulated route for Swiss market participants.

Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, stated: "FINMA's recognition is a significant milestone in our strategy to broaden international access and implement Dubai's vision for its capital markets. It opens a direct pathway for Swiss financial institutions and creates new opportunities for Swiss-incorporated securities, reinforcing Dubai's role as a global capital-markets hub."

H.E. Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, CEO of the UAE Capital Market Authority, added: "This reflects the close supervisory cooperation between the CMA and FINMA and the strength of the UAE's regulatory framework. It establishes a clear, well-regulated channel for cross-border participation that upholds market integrity and the UAE's standing as a trusted global financial centre."