Stake partners with ACE & Company to enhance UAE real estate investment liquidity

Stake, the MENA region's leading digital real estate investment platform, has partnered with global investment group ACE & Company to develop a secondary transfer facility for fractional real estate investments in the UAE. According to a joint press release by Stake and ACE & Company, the partnership aims to enhance liquidity, transparency, and investor confidence in fractional ownership structures through DIFC-regulated infrastructure.

What this partnership means for investors

The partnership creates a more liquid and transparent marketplace for fractional real estate investments in the UAE. Investors in Stake's products will gain greater flexibility in managing their holdings, improved visibility around market pricing, and clearer pathways to liquidity. The framework operates within Stake's existing DFSA-approved regulatory permissions, providing established oversight and regulatory clarity for all transactions.

This infrastructure addresses a core challenge in fractional real estate: the ability to exit investments before properties are sold. Previously, investors were locked into holdings until disposition. Now, they can potentially transfer stakes to other qualified investors through the secondary facility, similar to how stock markets enable share trading.

How the secondary transfer facility will work

The facility will focus initially on Stake's real estate portfolio held through Prescribed Companies, which are the DIFC equivalent of Special Purpose Vehicles. These structures allow multiple investors to own fractional stakes in individual properties whilst maintaining regulatory compliance under DFSA oversight.

ACE & Company brings significant experience to this model, managing over $2 billion in assets with nearly two decades of experience in private markets and secondary transactions. The Swiss-headquartered firm operates across venture capital, independent sponsors, and secondaries strategies, providing the institutional knowledge needed to structure liquid secondary markets.

Strong conviction in UAE market fundamentals

Both companies expressed unwavering confidence in the UAE's economic trajectory. Manar Mahmassani, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Stake, emphasised the strategic timing: "The UAE has always rewarded those who invest in it with conviction, and that's exactly what this partnership represents. This is not the moment to retreat: it's the moment to build the institutional infrastructure this market deserves."

Sherif El Halwagy, Partner and Co-Founder at ACE & Company, highlighted their disciplined approach: "Drawing on almost two decades of experience in offering liquidity to investors across private markets ecosystems via secondaries, we see a tremendous opportunity in real estate secondaries in the UAE."

Stake's platform growth and regulatory position

Founded in Dubai in 2021, Stake has built substantial market presence with over 2 million users from 211+ nationalities. The platform has facilitated over 450,000 investments across 600+ properties and 4 private real estate funds, paying out over AED 70 million in rental income and surpassing AED 1.5 billion in total real estate transactions.

The company operates under dual regulation: DFSA oversight for fractional properties in DIFC, and Capital Market Authority approval for fund distribution in Saudi Arabia. This regulatory framework provides the institutional foundation necessary for the fractional real estate secondary market infrastructure.

Market implications and future outlook

The partnership signals increasing institutionalisation of the UAE's fractional real estate market. By establishing secondary market infrastructure, Stake and ACE & Company are addressing liquidity concerns that have historically limited institutional participation in fractional ownership models.

This development follows broader trends in UAE fintech innovation, including recent advances in open finance payments and SME financing solutions. The partnership represents a mature approach to alternative investment infrastructure, potentially setting precedents for similar developments across MENA markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the partnership between Stake and ACE & Company?

Stake and ACE & Company have partnered to develop a secondary transfer facility for fractional real estate investments in the UAE, aiming to improve liquidity and transparency for investors through DIFC-regulated infrastructure.

How will this partnership benefit investors in Stake's products?

Investors will gain greater flexibility in managing holdings, improved visibility on market pricing, and clearer pathways to liquidity for their fractional real estate investments, all within DFSA-regulated framework.

What is a secondary transfer facility in real estate?

A secondary transfer facility allows investors to sell their fractional ownership stakes in real estate assets to other investors after the initial investment, providing liquidity to otherwise illiquid assets.

Is Stake regulated in the UAE?

Yes, Stake is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for fractional properties within the DIFC, and by Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority for fund distribution.

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