DMCC, the world’s top international business district that channels the movement of global trade via Dubai, attracted more than 1,100 new businesses during the first half of 2025, reaching a district-wide tally of nearly 26,000 members.
The DMCC Crypto Centre also reached a milestone, topping 700 companies after a 38% year-over-year growth rate, taking the overall number of tech firms within the district to more than 3,300.
Expansion was powered by robust demand from its most important overseas markets like China, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, new licensing opportunities, and increased commercial presence in Asia.
Strategic investment in DMCC’s sector-specific ecosystems and real estate holding – as part of its 10-year expansion strategy – also contributed significantly to momentum. In the meantime, the growth of DMCC’s flagship areas of Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and Uptown Dubai remained on track, with blockbuster groundbreakings and new F&B openings.
The results reflect the strength of DMCC’s integrated model – combining operational clarity, world-class infrastructure and ecosystems. With plans underway to expand into emerging sectors such as water and quantum technologies, DMCC remains a vital contributor to Dubai’s diversified economy – accounting for 15% of its annual FDI and 7% of GDP.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: “With over 1,100 new companies joining in the first half of the year—driven by robust growth from China, Türkiye, and the UK – DMCC is now rapidly approaching 26,000 member companies.
This continued growth reaffirms the enduring strength of our value proposition and Dubai’s appeal as a global business destination.
In response to the emerging wave of change fueled by AI and other frontiers of technology, we are doubling down on high-growth businesses while extending our ecosystems, offering of services, and physical facilities to enable the next generation of investment in innovation.
From cutting-edge technology to proven commodities, DMCC continues to be the business district of choice for visionary businesses that want to grow with confidence.
Feryal Ahmadi, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer, DMCC, said: “Our first-half performance is a testament to our long-term vision of creating high-performing ecosystems that drive commercial value and operating benefits for our members.
From real estate to technology and trade, every component of our district is optimized to address global demand – and these results prove that alignment.”. As we enter the second half of the year, we will continue to build out our services, drive infrastructure delivery and open up new growth opportunities in all sectors.”
Accelerated Tech Ecosystem Expansion DMCC’s technology ecosystem as a whole maintained momentum, with the DMCC Crypto Centre reaching over 700 companies – a 38% year-on-year expansion – backed by the onboarding of top companies like Bitcoin.com and Animoca Brands, both of which opened their regional headquarters in the district.
The DMCC Gaming Centre expanded to more than 140 companies, and the DMCC AI Centre, opened last September, grew to more than 110 companies. Cumulatively, DMCC now has nearly 1,000 licensed companies across these three centres alone – and more than 3,300 tech companies across the entire district – as it continues to solidify its position as a global centre for Web3 and emerging technologies.
In response to DMCC’s fast-expanding Web3 community, in January DMCC and REIT Development announced the development of Crypto Tower – an icon 17-storey building in JLT that will feature more than 150,000 square feet of leasable area, nine office levels, three blockchain incubator dedicated floors, an AI innovation floor, a crypto club, gold bullion shop and vault storage facility.
