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Sarwa

UAE fintech app for U.S. stocks, robo investing, crypto and savings. FSRA regulated, clear fees, zero local transfer fees.

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Screenshot of Sarwa website

What is Sarwa?

Sarwa Digital Wealth (Capital) Limited is a UAE financial platform that brings investing, stock trading, crypto trading, and cash savings into one app. It sits closest to an Investment Platforms service, but with a broader product set than a standard brokerage because it also offers automated portfolios, crypto access, and savings products. The platform states that it is regulated by the Financial Service Regulatory Authority, FSRA, in the ADGM, and it highlights support for more than 40,000 registered users as well as a $15 million Series B round announced in 2021.

For UAE residents, the main appeal is convenience. One account can be used to trade U.S. stocks and ETFs, place money into expert-built portfolios, buy and sell major cryptocurrencies, and park cash in a savings product with published estimated returns. It also states that deposits and withdrawals from a local UAE bank account can be made at zero cost, which matters for users who want to move money in and out without local transfer charges.

Key Features & Services

A notable part of the platform is that it combines self-directed trading and managed investing in the same mobile app. That makes it relevant not only to people looking for a brokerage account, but also to those comparing Robo-Advisors and savings apps in the UAE.

U.S. stocks and ETF trading

The trading product gives access to U.S. stocks and ETFs, with both whole and fractional shares available. Pricing is listed clearly: $1 per trade or 0.25% of the order amount. The site also says there are no stock or ETF spreads, and it supports limit and stop orders, instant deposits, and a catalog described as 4,000+ stocks and ETFs on the pricing page, with 10,000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs mentioned on the trade comparison page.

Automated investing portfolios

The managed investing product is built around diversified portfolios with smart rebalancing and dividend reinvesting. Portfolio options include Conventional, Socially Responsible, Crypto, and Halal. Pricing depends on tier and assets under management, starting at $7 per month or 0.85% annually for smaller balances, then moving down to 0.7%, 0.5%, and 0.4% for higher tiers.

Crypto trading

The crypto service allows users to buy and sell top cryptocurrencies from the same app used for stocks and portfolios. Order types include market, stop, and limit orders, and the app shows real-time crypto prices. Unlike stock and ETF trades, crypto pricing uses a spread charged by the crypto provider rather than a flat platform fee.

Savings products with estimated returns

The savings product is positioned as a low-risk cash option with no lock-ups and no withdrawal cost. The published estimated return is up to 3.7% for Save+ and 4% for the Halal version, with a 0.5% annual fee. Earlier press coverage cited a 3% annual interest rate in 2023, which gives some context for how quoted returns have changed over time.

Support, security, and account controls

Security language on the site is more specific than many fintech landing pages. It states that the app and website use 256-bit SSL encryption and that the business follows compliance processes and regular audits. On the service side, there is a customer excellence team, an advisory team, and WhatsApp support, which may matter for users who want human help alongside a digital investing app.

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Pricing & Fees

Pricing is split by product, so the overall fee picture is easy to verify but not always simple at first glance. The platform states there are no account opening, custody, withdrawal, account closing, or inactivity fees, and no stock or ETF spreads.

Product / TierPricingKey details
Invest$7/month or 0.4% to 0.85% annual feeSmart rebalancing, dividend reinvesting, multiple portfolios, joint accounts
Save0.5% annual feeUp to 3.7% estimated return for Save+, 4% estimated return for Halal, no lock-ups
Trade$1 per trade or 0.25% of order amountFractional shares, limit and stop orders, instant deposits
CryptoCrypto spreadSpread charged by crypto provider, real-time prices, market/limit/stop orders
Standard0.85% management fee, minimum $7/monthFor balances under $100,000
Platinum0.7% management feeFor balances of $100,000 and above
Private Wealth0.5% management feeFor balances of $500,000 and above
Legacy0.4% management feeFor balances of $5,000,000 and above

There are also minimum funding thresholds to keep in mind. The trading product requires a $500 account minimum, and invest portfolios start with minimum balances from $500, while some portfolios require $2,500. Savings returns are described as estimated, not fixed or guaranteed.

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.

Pros and Cons

The strongest point here is range. Few UAE-focused consumer apps combine self-directed stock investing, managed portfolios, crypto trading, and a savings product with published pricing on one fee page.

Pros

  • Wide product mix: Stocks, ETFs, managed portfolios, crypto, and savings are available in one app.
  • Clear public pricing: Fees are listed for Invest, Save, Trade, and Crypto, including exact figures such as $1 per trade and 0.5% annual fee for savings.
  • Low visible account fees: No account opening, custody, withdrawal, account closing, or inactivity fees are listed.
  • Local funding convenience: Deposits and withdrawals from a local UAE bank account are stated as zero cost.
  • Regulatory disclosure: The business states regulation by the FSRA in the ADGM.
  • Trading flexibility: Fractional shares, whole shares, market orders, limit orders, and stop orders are supported across relevant products.
  • Managed investing options: Conventional, Socially Responsible, Crypto, and Halal portfolios widen the appeal.

Cons

  • Minimums apply: The trade account requires $500, and invest products start from $500 with some portfolio options at $2,500.
  • Fee structure can take time to compare: Costs vary by product and by portfolio tier, so it isn't one simple pricing model.
  • Crypto costs are spread-based: Crypto trading uses a provider spread rather than a flat stated commission.
  • Savings returns can change: The quoted 3.7% and 4% figures are estimated returns, not guaranteed rates.
  • Managed investing isn't the cheapest option at small balances: Standard pricing starts at 0.85% annually with a $7 monthly minimum.
  • Product scope may feel broad for simple users: People who only want basic stock investing may find the multi-product setup more than they need.

Who Is Sarwa Best For?

This platform fits UAE-based individuals who want several money tools in one place instead of separate apps for brokerage, managed investing, crypto, and savings. It is especially relevant for people comparing a robo-advisor with a self-directed trading app, because both approaches sit under one login.

It suits passive investors who want expert-built portfolios with smart rebalancing and dividend reinvesting, including halal and socially responsible options. It also fits active users who want access to U.S. stocks and ETFs, fractional shares, and order types beyond simple market orders. Crypto users who prefer to trade inside a regulated UAE fintech environment may also find the setup relevant, though the spread-based pricing should be checked closely against trade size.

The savings side is most relevant to users looking for liquidity rather than lock-ups. Funds can be withdrawn at any time with zero cost according to the site, and the quoted estimated returns of up to 3.7% for Save+ and 4% for Halal make it part of the same everyday money workflow as the app's investing products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sarwa regulated?

Yes. The platform states that Sarwa Digital Wealth (Capital) Limited is regulated by the Financial Service Regulatory Authority, FSRA, in the ADGM. That is the main regulatory disclosure presented on its site.

What can you do with Sarwa?

It combines U.S. stock and ETF trading, automated investing portfolios, crypto trading, and savings products in one app. It also offers support from a customer excellence team and advisory team, including WhatsApp contact.

How much does Sarwa charge?

Trading is listed at $1 per trade or 0.25% of the order amount. Invest pricing runs from $7 per month or 0.4% to 0.85% annually, Save carries a 0.5% annual fee, and crypto uses a spread charged by the provider.

Does Sarwa have account minimums?

Yes. The trading product lists a $500 account minimum, and invest portfolios start from $500, with some portfolio options requiring $2,500. Higher advisory tiers begin at $100,000, $500,000, and $5,000,000.

Are Sarwa savings returns guaranteed?

No. The savings product shows estimated returns, including up to 3.7% for Save+ and 4% for Halal, and those figures can change. The site also describes the product as very low risk and says there are no lock-ups.

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About the author

Can Ozer's profile
Can Ozer

Founder of Sirket.io & Editor at BankList.co

Can Ozer is the founder of Sirket.io with over 6 years of experience in international taxation. He has helped many entrepreneurs with offshore company formation, business bank account opening, and payment infrastructure applications across multiple jurisdictions. At BankList.co, he reviews and curates banks and financial services to help founders choose the right financial partner.

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