XTB Expands UAE Presence with Full Broker Licence Upgrade

Polish retail broker XTB has taken a major step forward in the United Arab Emirates, securing Category 1 and Category 2 licences from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), enabling it to locally onboard clients and execute trades on the ground.

The announcement, made on Friday, marks a significant upgrade from the broker's existing regulatory standing in the country. XTB noted that the new licences will open the door to offering more advanced investment products to UAE-based traders going forward.

From Marketing to Full Operations

XTB is no stranger to the UAE. The broker has held a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) licence since 2021 and added a CMA Category 5 licence in 2024. However, the Cat 5 licence came with notable limitations, functioning more like an introducing broker arrangement, where the holder can only market and promote products of an offshore entity rather than onboard clients directly or execute trades locally.

The newly granted Cat 1 and Cat 2 licences change that picture entirely, giving XTB the regulatory foundation to operate as a fully fledged broker within the UAE.

Achraf Drid, Managing Director and Senior Executive Officer at XTB MENA, described the development as a key milestone: "It enables us to operate with greater proximity to our clients while adhering to one of the most respected regulatory environments globally." He added that the UAE's combination of regulatory clarity and long-term economic vision makes it a market where XTB intends to build for the future.

A Growing Club of Full Brokers in the UAE

The Category 5 licence has been the entry point of choice for most brokers moving into the UAE, given its lower capital requirements and easier approval process. Dozens of CFD brokers have taken that route in recent years.

Yet a growing number of firms are now pushing further. Plus500, Deriv, and RoboMarkets have already achieved full broker status in the country, and FXTM has recently signalled its intention to upgrade its own Cat 5 licence to a Cat 1. XTB's move adds further weight to the trend of established international brokers deepening their commitment to the UAE market.