Highlights from the Two-Day DIFC Event
In brief:
- From AI and blockchain to sustainable investing and digital economies, the second edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit has put the spotlight on emerging fintech trends and their potential to drive financial progress in the region.
- DIFC Innovation Hub CEO Mohammad Alblooshi highlighted the increased interest in this year’s gathering, with participant numbers soaring from 5,000 to 8,000, hailing from over 100 countries. The number of speakers tripled from 100 to over 300, while the number of exhibitors doubled from 100 to about 200.
- During one fireside chat, Nik Storonsky, founder and CEO of Revolut, outlined how the neobank is keen to expand its presence in the region, leveraging Dubai’s infrastructure and investor-friendly policies.
What does this mean?
H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and President of DIFC, also opened up the Summit with some equally impressive stats on the growth of fintech in the region. “Dubai has rapidly emerged as a global fintech hub,” he said. “Dubai has witnessed a surge in fintech investment in recent years, with total fintech funding, reaching $2.3billion in 2023. We saw unprecedented growth in 2023 with fintech and innovation as the fastest growing sector with 902 registered companies, a 31 per cent increase from the previous year.”
