Sahm Earns DFSA Licence, Expands Fintech Footprint in Dubai’s Booming Market

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 21-04-2026

4 min

Sahm secured a DFSA licence, authorising operations within Dubai’s DIFC.

It can advise, execute deals, and hold client assets under investor safeguards.

The firm plans “smoother access” to global markets for UAE retail investors.

Its app already topped one million users after strong growth in Saudi Arabia.

Backed by VCGL and fresh funding, Sahm now targets the wider GCC market.

Sahm, the fintech-driven investment services provider, has secured a licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), marking a significant milestone in its push into the UAE market. The licence was granted to its local arm, Sahm Financial Limited, now officially authorised to operate within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

In practical terms, this means Sahm can advise on financial products, arrange and execute investment deals as an agent, and, importantly, work directly with retail clients. The approval also allows the firm to hold or control client assets, all under the DFSA’s investor protection and market integrity framework. For any fintech eyeing serious growth in the Gulf, that’s no small feat. Getting regulated in the DIFC is often seen as a proper vote of confidence.

Steven Chou, Chairman of Sahm Financial Limited (DIFC) and Sahm Capital in Saudi Arabia, as well as Chief Strategy Officer at Valuable Capital Group, described the licence as an honour and a signal of deeper commitment to the UAE. He pointed to Dubai’s reputation as one of the world’s most dynamic financial hubs, highlighting its well-educated and tech-savvy investor base, with a strong appetite for global market access and innovative solutions. The plan, he noted, is to offer UAE investors more choice and smoother access to both regional and international markets through a secure, user-focused trading experience.

That said, Sahm’s UAE licence doesn’t come out of nowhere. The group already built momentum in Saudi Arabia, where its subsidiary was licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in 2024. Its flagship product, the Sahm App, was designed as an all-in-one trading platform covering both Saudi and US markets. The focus has been on simplicity and strong customer support, and, by the looks of it, that approach has resonated. The platform has surpassed one million users in the Kingdom, becoming one of the faster-growing players on the Saudi Exchange.

I’ve seen first-hand how Gulf retail investors have become far more comfortable with trading apps over the past few years. What once felt like a bit of a faff, opening accounts, paperwork, long waits, can now be done from a phone in minutes. So when a platform claims to combine intuitive design with serious regulatory backing, people pay attention. And, believe it or not, regulatory credibility is often what separates those that scale from those that fade away quietly.

Now with regulatory footholds in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Sahm is positioning itself to tap into the broader GCC investor base. On the flip side, competition in the region’s digital brokerage space is heating up. Several local and international platforms are racing for the same audience. I reckon the winners will be those who manage to balance sleek tech with strong compliance, not the flashiest marketing campaigns.

Behind Sahm stands Valuable Capital Group Limited (VCGL), a global fintech player with licensed entities in markets including Hong Kong SAR, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Interestingly, more than 70% of its team is dedicated to research and development, signalling a heavy technology focus. In February 2025, the group attracted a $48 million strategic investment led by ewpartners, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with the deal unveiled during the PIF Private Sector Forum. Moves like that definately show long-term ambition.

For the UAE ecosystem, another regulated digital investment platform entering DIFC adds fresh energy to an already vibrant scene. And for readers at Arageek keeping an eye on startups shaping the region’s financial future, this is one to watch. Whether Sahm can translate its Saudi success into equal traction in Dubai remains to be seen, but with the regulatory groundwork now in place, the pieces are certainly lining up.

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