XM, a global multi-asset broker known for its massive footprint—over 15 million clients across 190+ countries—has added another regulatory jewel to its crown. The firm has officially secured a Category 5 license from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) of the United Arab Emirates, one of the region’s most respected and fast-evolving financial regulators.

For XM, which already operates under multiple top-tier regulators worldwide, the SCA license marks a strategic advance into one of the world’s most competitive trading markets. And for the UAE, which has been aggressively positioning itself as a global fintech and capital markets hub, this approval is another signal that regulated providers are doubling down on the region.

A High-Value Market—and a High Bar for Entry

The UAE’s financial environment has become a magnet for traders, brokers, fintechs, and digital asset players. But securing SCA approval—especially at Category 5, which covers brokerage, dealing, and custody for leveraged financial instruments—is no small feat.

It requires demonstrating stringent standards in:

• capital adequacy
• operational resilience
• transparent pricing and execution
• robust compliance and governance
• investor protection frameworks

By granting XM a Category 5 license, the SCA is essentially acknowledging that the broker meets the region’s high watermark for safety and transparency.

XM’s co-Chief Executive Officer Menelaos Menelaou emphasized this point:

“The UAE has established itself as a world-class financial hub, and receiving authorization from the SCA underscores our commitment to long-term growth and trust in the region.”

What the License Unlocks for UAE Traders

With the new authorization, XM can directly serve clients across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider Emirates, offering seamless access to its global trading ecosystem via its new UAE-specific website, xm.ae—now live in both Arabic and English.

Local clients gain:

A regulated, locally accessible trading environment

UAE traders can work with a globally recognized broker that now operates under domestic oversight.

Full access to XM’s multi-asset offering

Including forex, commodities, indices, equities, and other CFD products.

Better onboarding, fewer frictions

Local verification, local support, and a user experience tailored to the region.

Free education and award-winning support

XM has a long track record of offering structured learning, webinars, and live training—resources highly valued in emerging trading markets.

Advanced tools and competitive conditions

Low spreads, fast execution, automated tools, and mobile-friendly platforms.

For retail traders increasingly mindful of regulatory protection—especially after years of turbulence in the global retail brokerage industry—the SCA stamp is a powerful trust signal.

The UAE’s Growing Influence in Global Trading Flows

The Emirates has become one of the fastest-growing retail and institutional trading hubs globally. Several trends underpin this:

• A young, financially savvy population
• High smartphone penetration
• A thriving expatriate community active in global markets
• Strong regulatory evolution (SCA, VARA, ADGM, DIFC)
• Government initiatives promoting fintech innovation
• Tax stability and strong investor protection frameworks

As more international brokers seek regional footholds, competition is intensifying—and so are the expectations around licensing and transparency.

XM’s new license positions it firmly among the regulated players able to compete in a market where credibility matters as much as technology or spreads.

Strengthening a Global Expansion Strategy

XM’s entry into the UAE isn’t an isolated move—it’s part of a broader expansion strategy focused on regulatory diversification and deep localization. Over the past several years, the company has:

• increased its global education outreach
• broadened its product offering
• scaled operations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
• invested in region-specific infrastructures

With the SCA approval, XM gains the ability not just to operate but to embed itself within the UAE’s financial ecosystem, from retail education initiatives to local support centers.

It’s a playbook that has worked for other well-established brokers: demonstrate regulatory commitment, build trust, deliver infrastructure, and tailor the experience to regional expectations.

What It Means for Traders—and the Market

XM’s move raises the bar in a region where licensed providers must now differentiate themselves not only through regulation but through service, pricing, education, and technology.

For UAE traders:

• There’s now one more globally recognized, SCA-regulated broker in the market.
• Access to diversified multi-asset trading becomes easier and more transparent.
• Education, risk awareness, and platform reliability continue to improve.

For the broader Middle East trading ecosystem:

• The competition among regulated brokers intensifies.
• Regulatory standards continue to tighten.
• Market maturity increases as licensed players expand and unlicensed players lose ground.

The Bottom Line

XM’s newly earned Category 5 SCA license is more than a regulatory checkbox—it’s a gateway to one of the world’s most dynamic trading markets. Backed by a strong global reputation, the firm is now positioned to serve UAE traders with locally regulated services, region-specific support, and a full suite of global trading tools.

As the UAE continues its push to become a dominant global financial hub, the arrival of major regulated brokers like XM reinforces the region’s trajectory: high standards, high growth, and increasingly, high competition.