Robinhood heads to Dubai as Dubai-based Bybit plots its way into the US

Robinhood has committed to launching its retail investing app in the Middle East in 2027 after the Dubai Financial Services Authority approved it to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre. The license permits trading and custody across all 10 asset classes the regulator allows, including equities, ETFs, crypto and investment tokens, and Salah Kaddoura will lead Robinhood MENA from the DIFC. Separately, Dubai-based Bybit is reportedly exploring a U.S. entry through an existing broker without committing to a date or partner. Bybit, which launched trading in more than 1,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs funded in the USDC stablecoin on October 12, currently excludes U.S. users.