Stronghold Capital Management Authorised by DFSA to Advance Hedge Fund Innovation in the Middle East

Published: 03/09/2025

"We are pleased to welcome Stronghold Capital Management to Dubai International Financial Centre. Their presence adds further breadth to our asset management community which has quickly become a leading global centre for hedge funds. By establishing their operations in DIFC, Stronghold is positioned to benefit from the Centre’s standing as the largest, most experienced, and preferred financial hub, while contributing to Dubai’s ambition to be a global capital for finance and innovation."
– Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority

Dubai, UAE – August 20, 2025 – Stronghold Capital Management Limited (“Stronghold”) announced it has been officially authorized by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate as a hedge fund manager in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the region’s leading international financial hub.

Stronghold’s authorisation marks a milestone in the evolution of the Middle East’s asset management landscape. As global allocators increasingly look to the region, Stronghold offers a locally headquartered, globally oriented alternative. The firm provides professional investors with access to advanced quantitative strategies while anchoring its operations within Dubai’s growing financial ecosystem.

Aligned with Dubai’s D33 Agenda, Stronghold’s authorisation underscores the emirate’s ambition to cement its position as a global capital of finance and innovation. By establishing its hedge fund platform in DIFC, Stronghold contributes to D33’s goals of attracting talent, deepening local capital markets, and creating new opportunities for investors and institutions across the region. 

The firm’s quantitative multi-strategy platform reflects the next wave of financial innovation that Dubai seeks to champion, combining global sophistication with regional accessibility.

“Our ambition is bold: operating from DIFC, we want to build the largest hedge fund ever established and headquartered in the Middle East — a new benchmark for the region’s financial future,” said Josevany Bou Safi, Founder & CEO of Stronghold Capital Management Limited.

“Throughout my career in asset management and regulatory advisory, I’ve seen what’s required to build financial institutions that are both innovative and robust. The UAE has developed into a globally recognised financial centre, and Stronghold reflects that progress. With its focus on quantitative strategies and strong governance, Stronghold is well placed to serve institutional investors and support the UAE’s evolving financial landscape. I’m pleased to contribute to this effort as an independent board member,” said Dr. Ryan Lemand, Stronghold Board Member and CEO of Neovision Wealth Management.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority said: "We are pleased to welcome Stronghold Capital Management to Dubai International Financial Centre. Their presence adds further breadth to our asset management community which has quickly become a leading global centre for hedge funds. By establishing their operations in DIFC, Stronghold is positioned to benefit from the Centre’s standing as the largest, most experienced, and preferred financial hub, while contributing to Dubai’s ambition to be a global capital for finance and innovation."

The firm’s presence affirms DIFC’s status as a world-class financial centre bridging regional ambition with global scale. By pairing international standards of governance with local cultural fluency, Stronghold is positioned to channel global capital into the UAE’s growth story and foster top financial talent to advance the industry.