• New arrival Oak Hill Advisors with USD 108bn in assets under management, along with AIP and Varenne, take the Centre over the 100-manager milestone and join industry stalwarts such as BlackRock and Millennium in choosing DIFC
  • Number of hedge fund managers has more than doubled since the start of 2024, with 81 being ‘billion-dollar club’ funds
  • Funds attracted by factors including trusted legal and regulatory framework, availability of talent and ability to manage capital across a range of markets

Dubai, UAE: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, has registered its 100th hedge fund, reflecting its dominance in the sector and successful journey to becoming a top five global hub for the industry.

The number of hedge fund managers doubled from 50 at the start of 2024 and 81 are billion-dollar AUM managers. During 2025, new arrivals include Baron Capital Management, BlueCrest Capital, Naya Capital Management, Nine Masts Capital, North Rock Capital, Pearl Diver Capital, Select Equity Group, Strategic Investment Group, Silver Point Capital, Squarepoint Capital and Welwing Capital Group. They join the region’s largest roster of industry stalwarts, such as Balyasny, BlackRock, Blue Owl, Brevan Howard, Dymon Asia, Exodus Point, Hudson Bay, Millennium, Qube Research and Technologies (QRT), and Verition.

Managers continue to join DIFC at record pace because they can trade Asian, European and American markets, tap the region’s deepest pools of talent and raise capital from ultra-high net worth individuals, family offices and sovereign wealth funds. DIFC Hedge Funds also trade Asian, European and American markets and leverage DIFC’s unparalleled banking and advisory ecosystem.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said: “Becoming a leading hedge funds centre reflects the maturity of the DIFC platform as well as the confidence of its participants. Our client focus and industry partnerships drive product innovation, which continues to fuel our growth. The breadth and depth of our alternative investments community strengthen our position as the only financial centre operating at scale across all sectors, which allows DIFC and our clients to influence the global financial landscape from Dubai.”

An example of DIFC’s innovation is the development of the DIFC Funds Centre, a unique co-working space offering in the asset management industry which allows managers to establish quickly, operate cost effectively and expand rapidly. The Centre houses some of the industry’s biggest names complemented by mid-sized firms, spinouts and start-ups. More than 85 per cent of DIFC based hedge fund managers have the ability to raise and manage private and sovereign capital from the Centre.

DIFC’s recent report on the future of alternative investments, highlights strong momentum in the sector. The report shows that technological innovation, regulatory reforms and wider investor access are accelerating flows into alternatives, which are now becoming core components of diversified portfolios. High-net-worth individuals and family offices have doubled their allocation to alternatives since 2008, reaching around 15 per cent.

DIFC’s wealth and asset-management sector continues to expand rapidly, now exceeding 470 firms. Managers benefit from access to the Middle East’s highest concentration of private wealth, including more than 1,250 family-related business entities based in the Centre. The UAE’s position as the world’s top destination for wealth migration further strengthens this ecosystem, with Henley & Partners projecting that 9,800 millionaires will have relocated to the UAE by the end of 2025.

About Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 77 countries with an approximate population of 3.8bn and an estimated GDP of USD 11.2trn.

With a 20-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe, and the Americas through Dubai. 

DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region’s largest financial ecosystem of 48,000 professionals working across over 8,000 active registered companies – making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the region. 

The Centre’s vision is to drive the future of finance through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and partnerships. Today, it is the global future of finance and innovation hub offering one of the region’s most comprehensive AI, FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage start-ups.  

Comprising a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels, and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai’s most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations. 

For further information, please visit our website: difc.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X @DIFC.

Nivine William
Burson | bursonglobal.com
DIFC@bursonglobal.com

Rasha Mezher | Dubai International Financial Centre Authority  
Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications
+9714 3622451
rasha.mezher@difc.ae