XTB started giving away 10 free Emaar Properties (EMAAR) shares to new account holders in its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operations, pairing the promotion with a series of workshops aimed at novice investors.
XTB Hands Out Free Stock to Lure MENA Traders
The brokerage, which serves 1.7 million clients globally, is running the offer under its "Mastering Your Money: The XTB Investor Mindset" program. New traders joining from Monday can access the shares immediately after opening accounts, according to company materials.
The initiative centers on free financial literacy sessions where participants can interact with traders and learn about market fundamentals. XTB is framing the approach as education-first, rather than relying solely on account bonuses to attract customers.
"We believe that the best way to encourage responsible investing is through education," said Achraf Drid, Managing Director at XTB MENA. "The 'Mastering Your Money' campaign is about providing the right mindset and the right tools. Our free stock offer is an incentive to get started, but our workshops ensure that every new client begins with knowledge, strategy, and a commitment to long-term financial health."
This is not the first time XTB has given away shares. A similar campaign took place in May, featuring General Motors (GM).
Focus on UAE-Listed Companies
The promotion highlights Dubai-listed securities, including Emaar, food delivery platform Talabat, and toll operator Salik. XTB is timing the campaign to coincide with continued strength in UAE equity markets, where real estate and infrastructure stocks have maintained positive momentum this year.
Emaar shares traded at 13.85 dirhams on Monday, up about 6.6% year-to-date, according to market data. The developer remains one of the Dubai Financial Market's largest constituents by market capitalization.
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The promotional strategy differs from traditional cash bonuses or deposit matches common among brokerages competing for retail clients in the region. Since March, XTB has operated an office in Dubai to tailor its offerings to local traders and provide better on-site support.
The workshops cover basic investing concepts, technological tools used in trading, and wealth-building fundamentals. XTB is positioning the sessions as a foundation for long-term engagement rather than short-term account acquisition.
Brokers Rush Into Middle East
XTB's promotional push comes as brokerages flood into the Middle East at an accelerating pace. The Dubai Financial Services Authority reported an 18% jump in applications during the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, prompting the regulator to launch an automated licensing platform that cuts approval times by roughly one-third.
Trading volumes in the region have climbed sharply. Capital.com reported $804.1 billion in MENA trading activity during the first half of this year, a 53.3% increase from the second half of 2024, with the UAE accounting for 71.7% of that total. Tickmill saw its regional volumes rise 54% year-over-year.
The Dubai International Financial Centre registered 1,081 new companies in the first half of 2025, bringing total active entities to 7,700. Financial services authorizations climbed 28% year-over-year to 78 through June.
Recent entrants include XS.com and Exness, both of which secured licenses in October. Cryptocurrency platforms like Bybit have also moved into the market.
