Arab Finance: UAE-based brokerage EFG Hermes UAE LLC has introduced digital onboarding for Dubai Financial Market (DFM) investors through its EFG Hermes ONE app. Users can obtain a DFM investor number and open a trading account on their phones without visiting a branch or submitting paperwork, as per an emailed press release.

The service comes as DFM reported 42,864 new investors in the first half (H1) of 2026, with foreign nationals accounting for 71.4% of them. Traded value rose 40.4% year on year (YoY) to AED 119.5 billion over the same period, while average daily traded value climbed 45.1% to AED 1.004 billion. Foreign investors generated 51% of total traded value, and institutional investors accounted for 71.2%. DFM’s market capitalization reached AED 981.6 billion at the end of June.

Khalifa Rabba, DFM’s chief operating officer, said: "The launch of digital onboarding with EFG Hermes reflects the continued evolution of DFM's digital infrastructure and the growing role of regulated platforms in expanding access to Dubai's capital markets. Enabling investors to obtain a DFM investor number and begin trading digitally shortens the path from decision to participation, broadening market participation, enhancing investor accessibility, and reinforcing UAE’s position as a leading capital markets hub."

EFG Hermes also reported that it ranked first on DFM in H1 2026 with a 48.52% market share, and first on Nasdaq Dubai with a 65.69% share. EFG Hermes UAE LLC is regulated by the UAE’s Capital Market Authority and is part of EFG Holding.