Polish brokerage XTB has significantly expanded its footprint in the United Arab Emirates after securing Category 1 and Category 2 licences from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). The upgrade moves the firm beyond its existing Category 5 licence, which it had held since 2024.
While the Cat 5 licence allowed XTB to operate as a mainland company, it effectively limited the broker to marketing and promoting products offered by an offshore entity — similar to an introducing broker model. The new licences remove those restrictions, permitting XTB to locally onboard clients and execute trades directly within the UAE.
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The company, which has maintained a presence in the country since first receiving a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) licence in 2021, says the upgrade will enable it to offer more advanced investment products to local traders. Achraf Drid, Managing Director of XTB MENA, called the authorisation an important development that allows the firm to operate with greater proximity to clients while adhering to one of the world’s most respected regulatory environments. He added that the UAE has created a highly attractive ecosystem for financial services firms, combining regulatory clarity with long-term economic vision.
XTB joins a select group of brokers — including Plus500, Deriv, and RoboMarkets — that have achieved full broker status in the UAE, as most new entrants continue to opt for the lower-barrier Cat 5 licence.
