With thousands of new investors joining each year and international participation continuing to grow, digital access is becoming an increasingly important part of the market’s development. To make investing more accessible, Dubai Financial Market has introduced a fully digital onboarding service in partnership with EFG Hermes UAE.
Through the EFG Hermes ONE trading and investment app, investors can now obtain a DFM investor number and open a trading account directly from their mobile phones. The new process removes the need for paperwork or a branch visit, allowing investors to complete the registration process digitally.
The launch comes as activity on DFM continues to increase. The exchange added 42,864 new investors during the first half of 2026, with foreign investors accounting for 71.4% of new registrations. Total traded value reached AED119.5 billion during the same period, up 40.4% year on year.
Foreign investors also accounted for 51% of total traded value, while institutional investors represented 71.2%. DFM’s total market capitalisation stood at AED981.6 billion at the end of June.
The digital onboarding service is integrated into the EFG Hermes ONE app, giving investors an end-to-end digital account-opening experience. Once the process is completed, investors can access DFM-listed securities without going through the traditional paper-based registration process.
Bottom line
The move is part of wider efforts to modernise access to Dubai’s capital markets and improve the investor experience. As the exchange attracts more regional and international investors, a simpler digital registration process can make it easier for new participants to enter the market.
At One Investments, we see developments like this as a strong reminder of the value of forward planning. We prioritise understanding our investors objectives and identifying opportunities that match their vision, ensuring a careful balance between potential growth and security.
