FINANCIAL SERVICES-

Robinhood moves to secure DFSA license for Dubai expansion: US-based e-trading platform Robinhood has applied for a category 4 license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) as it looks to open up its first office in the emirate in the coming months, FX News Group reports. The neobroker’s expansion moves outside of the US have included a focus on the UK and EU so far, with plans to expand into Asia through a Singapore office as well.

The firm tapped former Equiti executive Mario Camara (LinkedIn) as senior executive officer to lead operations from Dubai. Camara previously worked as CCO at GigExecs, spent six years at Equiti, and earlier served as senior executive officer at Saxo Bank ’s DIFC office.

AVIATION-

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to launch winter flights to Yekaterinburg: UAE-based budget carrier Air Arabia will operate seasonal direct flights between Zayed International Airport and Russia’s Koltsovo International Airport in Yekaterinburg between 27 October 2025 and 27 March 2026, according to a press release. The service will run twice a week — on Mondays and Fridays.

REAL ESTATE-

DMDC expands to Abu Dhabi: Dubai-based construction and interior design firm DMDC is kickstarting operations in the capital with a renovation project at the Four Seasons Residences, according to a press release(pdf). The Four Seasons project is the first in a pipeline of developments planned in Abu Dhabi. The expansion follows four years of activity in Dubai, where the company has built a portfolio of luxury residential projects.

REMEMBER- DMDC launched a new division — its property investment arm, DMDC Estates — last month with an initial AED 70 mn commitment to acquire, renovate, and sell homes in Dubai. The firm earmarked another AED 30 mn for the division later in the year.

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