Key Insights
- Pepperstone has secured a UAE SCA Category 5 license and opened a new onshore office in Dubai, strengthening its regulated presence in the MENA region.
- The license allows the broker to conduct Arrangement and Advice activities for professional clients, expanding its locally compliant service offerings.
- The Dubai office will serve as a regional hub, enhancing client engagement as more retail brokers pursue onshore licenses amid rising regulatory activity in the UAE.
DUBAI — Global retail forex and CFDs broker Pepperstone has strengthened its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) presence after receiving a Category 5 license from the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and opening a new onshore office in Dubai’s Emaar Square. The move marks a strategic evolution in the Australia-based firm’s regional expansion, bringing it closer to professional clients, institutional partners, and key stakeholders in one of the world’s fastest-growing trading hubs.
The SCA Category 5 license authorises Pepperstone to conduct “Arrangement and Advice” activities in the UAE, including regulated marketing, promotion, and limited advisory and introduction services for professional clients and partners under the onshore regulatory framework. This approval allows the broker to operate in full compliance with local governance and regulatory standards while providing transparent, regulated services.
Dubai Hub Strengthens Regional Operations and Client Engagement
Pepperstone’s new Dubai office will act as a regional hub for the UAE and broader MENA region, supporting relationship management, commercial operations, and educational initiatives. The office also serves as a central point of contact for professional traders, introducing brokers, and institutional partners, enabling the company to respond swiftly to evolving market demands.
“Securing our SCA Category 5 license and opening our onshore office in Emaar Square is a strategic milestone for Pepperstone in the Middle East,” said Gescard Hessen, Head of MENA at Pepperstone. “Operating onshore under the SCA framework allows us to stay closer to our clients and partners, respond faster to evolving market needs, and deepen our investment in the region’s growth story.”
The SCA licence complements Pepperstone’s existing global regulatory footprint, which includes approvals from ASIC, SCB, CMA, CySEC, FCA, BaFin, and DFSA, highlighting the broker’s commitment to operating within well-defined frameworks while providing professional clients with regulated, high-quality services.
Founded in 2010 in Melbourne, Australia, Pepperstone offers trading across forex, stocks, commodities, and other asset classes, and is trusted by more than 400,000 traders worldwide. The broker processes an average of US$12.55 billion in trades daily, making it one of the largest forex brokers globally.
The firm’s expansion in Dubai coincides with a broader surge in UAE licensing applications. Retail brokers, CFD and FX firms, and cryptocurrency companies have increasingly sought onshore approval, with application volumes rising 18% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to 2024. The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) recently launched DFSA Connect, a digital platform designed to streamline licensing for firms operating in the DIFC, reducing processing times by about one-third. Other brokers, including Eightcap and online trading firm XM, have also secured SCA Category 5 licenses.
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Pepperstone has also been growing its product and geographic footprint in 2025. The company plans to launch a new spot crypto exchange and recently appointed Geraldine Goh as Group CMO based in Singapore, further strengthening its regional strategy and commercial presence in key global markets.
By combining regulated operations, strategic local presence, and expanded product offerings, Pepperstone aims to reinforce its role as a leading broker in the UAE and broader MENA trading ecosystem, providing clients with execution quality, governance, and educational support under a robust regulatory framework.