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NASDAQ Dubai

Logo: nasdaqdubai.com4

Dubai-based stock exchange

Nasdaq Dubai is a Dubai-based stock exchange that lists regional and international shares in the Middle East. Through the exchange, regional issuers can access regional and international investment. International issuers can access investment from the region, through a primary or dual listing.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

2005Founded1
  • HeadquartersDubai1
  • Websitewww.nasdaqdubai.com
  • Legal formPrivate Company Limited by Shares3
  • LEI213800QL3V1PYPQMLU383
  • StatusActive3
  • LEI statusIssued and current3
  • Registered addressUNIT THE EXCHANGE - GV-00-11-08-OF-01-0, Dubai, United Arab Emirates3
  • Registered withDubai International Financial Centre, 00093

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Nasdaq Dubai is a Dubai-based stock exchange that lists regional and international shares in the Middle East. Through the exchange, regional issuers can access regional and international investment. International issuers can access investment from the region, through a primary or dual listing.2

Corporate structure

NASDAQ Dubai is part of a group headed by Investment Corporation of Dubai. 21 entities, 9 countries on record. Switch between the flow chart and the network, and select any entity to see its details.

Built from parent and subsidiary links from GLEIF, the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (CC0); subsidiaries, stakes and holdings from Wikidata (CC0). Each entity in the chart links to its source.

The story

The exchange launched on 26 September 2005 under the name Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX), which initially listed equities and index products.

In 2007, the exchange listed the largest IPO in the Middle East, when DP World raised US$4.96 billion.

In 2008, NASDAQ OMX acquired a one-third stake in the DIFX and it rebranded to NASDAQ Dubai. The other two-thirds was owned by Borse Dubai, the holding company of NASDAQ Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

In 2008, NASDAQ Dubai launched the first equity derivatives market in the United Arab Emirates.

In 2010, the exchange took a step towards creating a single regional liquidity pool by moving all its equities trading on to DFM's trading platform. The same year DFM acquired a two-thirds stake in NASDAQ Dubai, with Borse Dubai retaining a one-third stake.

In 2011, the exchange transferred its Listing Authority from its own control to that of the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

In 2012, the DFSA reduced the minimum market capitalisation for companies to list to US$10 million, from US$50 million previously. This change has opened the door to listings by small and medium-sized enterprises, including family owned businesses.

In 2013, the exchange launched a fixed income trading platform, allowing investors to trade Sukuk and conventional bonds on-exchange.

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In October 2013, the Bank of London and The Middle East (BLME) listed its shares on the exchange.

In April 2014, Emirates REIT listed its shares following its IPO, in the first listing of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) on an exchange in the GCC. Emirates REIT raised 201 million dollars and was 3.5 times oversubscribed.

In the same month, the exchange launched an Islamic financing Murabaha platform. This offers an alternative to many traditional Murabaha solutions, which can carry a risk of losses through price movements, spreads and poor liquidity as well as delays.

In June 2014, NASDAQ Dubai had 28 current Sukuk listings with a total nominal value of US$18.3 billion, which made Dubai (NASDAQ Dubai plus DFM) the third largest venue in the world for Sukuk listings.

From Wikipedia’s article on Nasdaq Dubai, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5

Products and brands

NASDAQ Dubai is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, this structure falls into a number of different categories:

Rules which regulate the process which companies must follow if they wish to have their securities admitted to trading on the market operated by NASDAQ Dubai.

Rules which regulate the obligations of companies after their securities have been admitted to trading (e.g., continuous disclosure rules) – also covered by the Issuers and Securities Rules

Rules which regulate the process which an entity must follow in order to become a Member of NASDAQ Dubai.

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Rules which regulate the behaviour of Members on the market operated by NASDAQ Dubai and the obligations which Members owe to their clients – also covered by the Business Rules.

Rules which regulate Clearing and Settlement procedures are covered by the NASDAQ Dubai Business Rules.

From Wikipedia’s article on Nasdaq Dubai, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5

Subsidiaries and ownership

Ultimate parent

Ownership links from GLEIF, the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (CC0); each one cites its LEI record.

Timeline

  1. 2005Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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    Company websiteNASDAQ Dubai logo
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