Key Insights
- XTB SA has secured Category 1 and Category 2 licences from the UAE’s CMA for its subsidiary.
- The licences allow XTB to expand its brokerage services in the Middle East and prepare for more advanced investment products in the future.
Dubai/Warsaw (MarketsXplora) – XTB SA said it has secured Category 1 and Category 2 licences from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) for its local entity, XTB Financial Services LLC, marking a significant step in its Middle East expansion and deepening its regulatory footprint in the Gulf.
The Poland-based retail FX and CFDs broker said the approvals allow it to offer a broader suite of brokerage services to UAE investors, while also paving the way for more advanced investment products in the future.
The licences represent a “major milestone” for the company’s regional ambitions, enabling it to operate more closely with clients under UAE oversight and strengthen its long-term commitment to investors across the country and wider Gulf region.
CMA licences place XTB among international brokers
XTB’s move comes amid a wider industry shift toward locally regulated structures in the UAE, as global brokers seek to anchor operations in one of the fastest-growing financial hubs.
The CMA—established as the successor to the Securities and Commodities Authority in 2026—has expanded its regulatory powers to align the UAE with leading global financial centres, making local licensing increasingly critical for international firms.
Other brokers have also pursued similar approvals in recent years. Trading platform Traze obtained a Category 1 CMA licence in 2025, highlighting the growing appeal of the jurisdiction for multi-asset trading firms.
Industry data further shows that several global brokers—including Pepperstone, Capital.com, FP Markets and Exness—now operate under CMA (formerly SCA) regulation, reflecting a broader migration toward compliance with UAE regulatory standards.
For XTB, the latest authorisation builds on its earlier presence in the region. The firm has operated out of Dubai’s DIFC since 2021, when former ADSS executive Achraf Drid joined as Managing Director and Senior Executive Officer for the Middle East and North Africa.
“Receiving authorisation from the CMA is an important development for our business in the region,” Drid said, adding that the licence enables the company to operate “with greater proximity to our clients while adhering to one of the most respected regulatory environments globally.”
He described the UAE as an “attractive ecosystem” combining regulatory clarity with long-term economic vision, noting that XTB sees sustained opportunity in the market.
The company, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, serves more than 2.16 million clients globally through its investing app, offering access to stocks, ETFs and CFDs across indices, currencies and commodities.
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Beyond trading, XTB provides educational resources including videos, webinars and courses, while its customer support operates in 20 languages on a 24/5 basis. The group employs over 1,400 people across 17 offices worldwide, with a significant portion focused on developing proprietary investment technology.
Founded in 2004, XTB is regulated by multiple authorities including the Polish Financial Supervisory Authority, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, underscoring its position as a globally regulated brokerage.