Sarwa
A UAE investing app regulated by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market, offering US stock and ETF trading, managed portfolios and a savings product, with AED transfers in and online account opening for people living in the UAE.
About Sarwa
Sarwa was founded in 2017 by Mark Chahwan, Nadine Mezher and Jad Sayegh. It operates through Sarwa Digital Wealth (Capital) Limited, which is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in Abu Dhabi Global Market. The platform offers Sarwa Trade for US stocks and ETFs, Sarwa Invest for diversified portfolios including crypto, and Sarwa Save for cash savings through partner banks. Sarwa states that it is not a bank, and its backers include the DIFC Fintech Fund and Mubadala.
Key Features
- Sarwa Trade: Buy and sell thousands of US stocks and ETFs.
- Sarwa Invest: Passive investing in diversified portfolios of index funds and ETFs, with crypto options.
- Sarwa Save: A high-yield cash account offered through banking partners.
- AED Funding: Deposit from a UAE dirham bank account with no transfer costs, according to Sarwa.
How to Get Started
- Download the Sarwa app or register on sarwa.co.
- Complete the online sign-up and identity verification.
- Transfer money from your UAE bank account in AED.
- Choose a product, such as a managed portfolio or individual stocks, and start investing.
Investing carries risk, and the value of stocks, ETFs and crypto can fall as well as rise. Sarwa is not a bank and does not hold an Islamic Window endorsement from the FSRA. Eligibility rules, minimums, trading commissions and savings rates are set on the official pricing and sign-up pages and can change, so check them before you deposit money.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sarwa work with a foreign bank card in United Arab Emirates? Not reliably — a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is Sarwa available in English? Yes, Sarwa has an English-language interface.
Do I need a local phone number to use Sarwa? No, an international phone number generally works for Sarwa.
Do I need local ID or residency for Sarwa? No, Sarwa doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.