Dubai: Forbes Middle East has released its 2026 list of the richest expatriate residents in the UAE, with Changpeng Zhao, founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, securing the top position with an estimated net worth of $110 billion.

The ranking highlights expatriates who have contributed significantly to the UAE’s economic growth and development across sectors including retail, construction, real estate, healthcare, finance and education. According to Forbes Middle East, billionaires linked to the real estate and investment sectors alone account for combined wealth of $136.3 billion.

Indian businessman Vinod Adani ranked second on the list with a fortune estimated at $20.8 billion. Russian entrepreneur Andrey Melnichenko, founder of energy company SUEK, secured third place with assets worth $20.4 billion.

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, and Nick Storonsky, founder of fintech company Revolut, ranked fourth and fifth respectively. At 41 years old, both are among the youngest billionaires featured on the list.

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Among Indians, M. A. Yusuff Ali emerged as the wealthiest Malayali on the list, with an estimated net worth of $5.8 billion, placing him sixth overall.

Other prominent Indians featured include Renuka Jagtiani of Landmark Group with $5.6 billion, Ravi Pillai of RP Group with $4.2 billion, Sunny Varkey of GEMS Education with $4 billion, P. N. C. Menon of Sobha Group with $3.9 billion, and Shamsheer Vayalil of Burjeel Holdings with $1.8 billion.

A total of nine Indians featured on the list, the highest representation from any single country. Collectively, Indian billionaires on the ranking hold assets worth $49.9 billion.

The oldest individual featured is Dhruv Sawhney, chairman of Triveni Engineering & Industries, who is 81 years old.