Best ADGM Regulated Brokers by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has emerged as a prominent international financial center, attracting a growing number of financial institutions and investors. At the heart of this framework is the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), which ensures that all financial activities within the ADGM are conducted with integrity, transparency, and in compliance with international standards. For traders in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, choosing a broker regulated by the FSRA is crucial for the best trading experience. 

In this article, we will explore the best ADGM-regulated brokers by the FSRA, providing an in-depth analysis of their offerings and why they stand out in the competitive financial landscape.

Understanding the ADGM and FSRA

It's essential to clarify the relationship between the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is an international financial free zone located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The ADGM operates as a jurisdiction with its own legal and regulatory framework, separate from the UAE's federal laws. 

On the other hand, the FSRA is the independent regulator of financial services conducted within the ADGM. It is responsible for supervising and enforcing compliance with financial regulations within the ADGM. The FSRA ensures that all financial services providers, including brokers, asset managers, and banks, operate in a fair, transparent, and secure manner.

In summary, the ADGM is the overarching financial free zone, while the FSRA is the regulatory body within the ADGM. This is a similar setup to how DFSA regulated brokers operate within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Key Considerations When Choosing an FSRA-Regulated Broker

When selecting an FSRA-regulated broker, it's crucial to consider several key factors to ensure a reliable trading experience. Here are the key factors:

• Verification of FSRA Authorisation - It is very wise to confirm that the broker is officially licensed and regulated by the FSRA. Luckily, you can easily verify a broker’s FSRA regulation via FSRA’s online public register.

• Trading Instruments - Ensure the broker offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, and indices, that align with your investment goals. Look for a diverse range of assets to diversify your portfolio.

• Trading Platform - The trading platform is another important consideration. This will be the interface through which you interact with global markets. Ensure you pick a broker with easy-to-use interfaces and advanced capabilities.

• Spreads and fees - Finally, compare the spreads and fees charged by various brokers and opt for the one with competitive and transparent fees.

With these considerations in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best ADGM-regulated brokers by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Best ADGM-Regulated Brokers by the FSRA 

Below is a list of some of the best ADGM-regulated brokers by the FSRA, based on their regulatory compliance, trading offerings, and reputation in the industry.

eToro

One of the brokers that should be included in the list of the best ADGM-regulated brokers is eToro. eToro is regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”)’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA“) with the FSP number 220073. Additionally, eToro operates under the regulation of the FCA in the UK, the CySEC in Cyprus, and the ASIC in Australia, among others.

eToro is one of the most popular copy trading platforms in the world, with over 35 million users and thousands of traders you can follow and copy. The platform available for trading is eToro’s own proprietary platform, known for its user-friendly interface and extensive functionality. It features the innovative CopyTrader technology, which enables investors to replicate the trades of other market participants. Naturally, traders also have the freedom to trade on their own.

This broker caters to its traders by offering a deep collection of market products. In total, traders have access to over 7,000 different financial instruments. These include CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, a ton of stocks including ADX-listed stocks, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, this broker offers the trading of real stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.

Further, eToro features competitively low spreads that start from 1.0 pips for major currency pairs with no commission charged on forex. It offers an Islamic account that supports swap-free trading and only charges administrative fees after a 7-day grace period.

61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

AvaTrade

AvaTrade is another leading broker that is regulated by the FSRA under the ADGM framework. This broker holds FSRA authorisation with the FSP number 190018, ensuring compliance with strict regulatory standards. Additionally, AvaTrade has regulations from multiple other global authorities, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the ASIC in Australia, and the FSCA in South Africa, among others.

AvaTrade offers a wide range of trading instruments, totalling over 1,250 products. These include CFDs on forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and bonds. The trading platforms available for traders to use include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own AvaTrade app. Notably, AvaTrade also supplies a variety of trading tools, including AvaSocial and DupliTrade, which make it one of the top brokers for copy trading. On another note, AvaTrade offers fixed spreads when trading which start from 0.9 pips for major currency pairs with no commission charged. AvaTrade also offers an Islamic account with no swap fees charged for holding positions overnight.

Admirals

Admirals is also a notable broker regulated by the FSRA within the ADGM. This broker is under the regulation of the FSRA with the FSP number 220160. On top of that, Amirals has regulations by other financial authorities, including the FCA, the ASIC, the CySEC, the IIROC (CIRO) in Canada, and the JSC in Jordan, among others.

In terms of market products, this broker supplies a deep collection of market products. These include products from global markets such as forex, commodities, indices, stocks, ETFs, and bonds. As such, traders can diversify their portfolios as they see fit. There are various trading platforms to choose from, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader, and Admirals Mobile App.

On another note, Admiral provides competitive spreads, varying by account type. The Trade.MT5 and Trade.MT4 accounts offer spreads as low as 0.5 pips on major currency pairs with no commissions. Other account options feature spreads as low as 0.0 pips, with commissions ranging from $1.8 to $3 per lot, depending on the account type. Additionally, Admirals has an Islamic account with the same tight spreads as the standard accounts and with no swap fees. Administration fees apply to positions held for 3 days and above.

FAB Securities

FAB Securities, part of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), is a financial services provider regulated by the FSRA within the ADGM. This firm holds an FSRA license with the FSP number 210051. This broker is also under the regulation of the SCA in the UAE. The market products available to trade through this broker include equities, bonds, ETFs, and other securities on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Dubai Financial Market.

To trade these market products, FAB Securities offers its in-house web-based platform alongside its mobile app. These platforms have user-friendly interfaces designed for both experienced and novice investors. The fees that apply depend on the asset and the size of the trade.

Wahed Invest

Wahed Invest is yet another top ADGM-regulated broker by the FSRA. It operates under the FSP number 220065. This broker offers halal investment across a wide variety of market products. In particular, this broker offers access to various global markets, including US and international equities, sukuk, gold, and REITS (Real Estate Investment Trusts). The broker offers its own mobile app for trading, allowing investors to access financial instruments on the go.

Notably, this broker requires a minimum deposit of $50,000. A fee of 0.99% per year applies to trades for portfolios with equity up to $250,000. In contrast, the broker charges a fee of 0.49% per year on trades for portfolios with equity of $250,000 and above. There is no fee for portfolios below $100.

Final Comments

Trading with an ADGM-regulated broker offers a secure and transparent trading environment, backed by the robust regulatory oversight of the FSRA. The brokers listed above are among the best FSRA-regulated brokers in the ADGM. They offer a wide range of financial products, competitive pricing, and strong regulatory compliance. 

However, it is crucial to remember that trading, even with regulated brokers, involves significant risks. Financial markets are highly volatile, and traders can incur significant losses if they do not manage their risks effectively. It is crucial for investors to conduct thorough research before engaging with any broker or investment product.