Since 1 January 2026 the onshore regulator for forex and CFD brokers in the UAE is the Capital Market Authority, the CMA. It took over from the SCA under Decree-Laws 32 and 33 of 2025, with one year to switch. The two financial free zones keep their own regulators. The DFSA covers the DIFC in Dubai. The FSRA covers the ADGM in Abu Dhabi.
A broker that wants to take forex or CFD orders from UAE residents onshore needs a CMA Category 1 licence that covers OTC derivatives. Equiti holds one, licence 20200000026. A Category 5 licence covers promotion and introduction only. FXTM's UAE company, XM, XS.com and Rostro hold Category 5 licences, so an account with them sits with a company abroad. Check the register before you sign: CMA, DFSA and FSRA.
Leverage depends on which regulator covers the company you sign with. A DFSA firm must take at least 3.3% margin on major pairs, which is about 30:1, and 5% on other pairs, gold and major indices. An FSRA firm uses 3.33% and 5%, and must protect retail clients from a negative balance. We could not confirm a numeric cap for CMA onshore firms. Offshore companies in the same brand may offer 500:1 or more with none of these protections.
Decree-Law 33 of 2025 covers any firm that targets UAE clients from abroad. Promotion without a licence is an offence, with fines up to AED 250 million. We found no rule that punishes a resident for holding an account with a foreign broker. There is no personal income tax in the UAE. A business pays 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000. Traders fund accounts by AED bank transfer, cards, Skrill, Neteller and Aani instant payments.
Our own affiliate links stay switched off for visitors in the UAE until our counsel confirms the rules on promotion. Every link on this page is a plain link.
Sources: UAE Decree-Laws 32 and 33 of 2025. CMA licensed companies register. DFSA rulebook COB 6.16.6. FSRA rulebook COBS 23.6. FXTM legal footer, Category 5 licence 20200000270. Checked 25 September 2026.
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Choosing a forex broker in the United Arab Emirates can feel complex. Our goal is to make your choices clear. Here, you’ll find a carefully chosen list and a simple comparison tool built for UAE residents. You can check regulation, costs, platforms, and support, and see what fits your needs and risk tolerance. You stay in control; we explain the mechanics and key risks so you can compare with confidence. Trading CFDs involves risk. We do not provide advice or predictions, and nothing here is a recommendation. All information on BrokerCatalogue is for general informational purposes and should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. When you’re ready, explore the options below and compare side by side to see which features suit how you trade.
| # | Broker | Rating | Regulation | Founded | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOREX.com | 10/10 | ASIC, CFTC, FCA | 2001 | MT4, MT5, Proprietary |
| 2 | Interactive Brokers | 10/10 | ASIC, CBI, CFTC | 1977 | Proprietary |
| 3 | Plus500 | 10/10 | ASIC, CFTC, CySEC | 2008 | Proprietary |
| 4 | Saxo Bank | 10/10 | ASIC, DFSA, FCA | 1992 | Proprietary, TradingView |
| 5 | Swissquote | 10/10 | CSSF, DFSA, FCA | 1996 | MT4, MT5, Proprietary |
| 6 | tastytrade | 9.1/10 | CFTC, NFA | 2017 | Proprietary |
| 7 | FP Markets | 9/10 | ASIC, CMA, CySEC | 2005 | cTrader, MT4, MT5 |
| 8 | JustMarkets | 9/10 | FSA Seychelles, FSC Mauritius, SVGFSA | 2012 | MT4, MT5 |
| 9 | TradeStation | 9/10 | CFTC, FCA, NFA | 1982 | Proprietary |
| 10 | Capital.com | 8.8/10 | ASIC, CySEC, FCA | 2016 | MT4, Proprietary, TradingView |
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