According to a FinTop Consulting survey, Dubai pays top dollar to FX department heads, while the salaries of most C-level roles in Cyprus remain competitive.
The salary of Compliance Heads almost doubled in Cyprus, while it jumped 250% in Dubai.
Are you working in the forex and fintech industry and torn between Dubai and Limassol? Here is something to make your decision easier: a Chief Operating Officer in Cyprus can earn up to EUR 180,000 a year, while the annual salary for the same role in Dubai can go up to EUR 301,000. Similarly, the salary of a Chief Revenue Officer in Cyprus is EUR 144,000, while in Dubai it is EUR 327,000. And needless to say, the UAE has no personal income tax.
The latest industry-wide salary survey by FinTop Consulting, a staffing firm in the B2B FX industry, was exclusively shared with FinanceMagnates.com.
Salaries in Dubai Are Growing Faster Than in Cyprus
The survey found that the average salary increase was 5.4 per cent across all sectors in Cyprus, while the growth was between 6 per cent and 8 per cent in Dubai-based roles, “driven by heightened demand for specialised skills.”
Reece Pawsey, Director at FinTop Consulting
Dubai has emerged as a challenger to Cyprus’s forex and fintech industry. The dominance of the Middle Eastern city, with its vast talent pool, has attracted a lot of brokers and other trading-related companies.
The growing demand for FX roles in Dubai is rising as many brokers and other trading industry service providers are setting up a physical presence in the city. Many brokers have even obtained local licences to cement their presence in the region.
However, it should be noted that the cost of living in Dubai is 25 per cent higher than in Limassol. Is that a deterrent, or are the salaries high enough to attract top talent to the desert city?
Dubai vs Cyprus: Salaries
The salary of a CEO based in Cyprus can reach EUR 300,000 annually; however, a CEO at a smaller firm may earn between EUR 36,000 and EUR 72,000. The survey of Dubai-based roles, however, did not disclose the CEO salary range.
Although salaries for certain C-level roles in the two countries are comparable, others show a stark contrast, favouring Dubai. The salary of a Chief Marketing Officer in Cyprus reaches a maximum of EUR 200,000, while in Dubai it can go up to EUR 229,000. A Chief Technology Officer in Cyprus can earn up to EUR 210,000, whereas someone in a similar role in Dubai can take home up to EUR 229,000.
Cyprus has long established itself as the European hub for the retail forex industry. However, its dominance is now being challenged by Dubai, and this shift is clearly reflected in the salaries offered for many roles.
That said, not all Cyprus-based roles offer lower salaries than those in Dubai. The maximum salary of a Chief Financial Officer in Cyprus is EUR 240,000, while Dubai-based counterparts can earn up to EUR 196,000 a year, according to the survey.
Dubai usually offers significantly higher pay for middle management roles. The salary of a Head of Marketing can reach between EUR 120,000 and EUR 173,000 in Cyprus, whereas the same position based in Dubai can earn up to EUR 196,000.
Compliance-related roles also command higher salaries in Dubai. A Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer can each earn up to EUR 261,000, with the Head of Legal receiving a similar amount. In contrast, a senior-level Head of Legal & Compliance in Cyprus earns up to EUR 150,000.
Both Cyprus and Dubai require tech-centric skills. However, the top in-demand skills in Dubai are regulatory and compliance expertise, followed by blockchain development and algorithmic and quantitative trading.
In Cyprus, demand is also growing for Regulatory Technology (RegTech), ESG analytics, and compliance automation. The need for compliance-related roles surged across Europe following the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) last year.
This shift is also reflected in salaries in Cyprus, where the compensation for a Head of Compliance has almost doubled compared to a year ago.
When it comes to direct revenue-generating roles, a Head of Sales in Dubai, with a maximum salary of around EUR 245,000, can earn more than double that of a counterpart in Cyprus. In operations, a Cyprus-based Chief Dealer earns up to EUR 144,000—less than half the annual salary of a Chief Trading Officer based in Dubai. The Head of Trading in Cyprus also earns nearly half the amount offered for the same role in Dubai.
However, there are notable differences when it comes to managerial roles. While a Business Development Manager in Cyprus can earn up to EUR 60,000 and one in Dubai up to EUR 88,000, the top salary of a Compliance Manager in the Mediterranean island is higher than in the desert city. A Risk Manager in Cyprus can also earn almost double the salary of one based in Dubai.
According to the survey, Limassol remains the epicentre of activity within Cyprus, representing over 62 per cent of fintech and tech professionals in the country. Nicosia and Larnaca follow, at 24 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively. The majority of the workforce has 5 to 10 years of experience.
Are you working in the forex and fintech industry and torn between Dubai and Limassol? Here is something to make your decision easier: a Chief Operating Officer in Cyprus can earn up to EUR 180,000 a year, while the annual salary for the same role in Dubai can go up to EUR 301,000. Similarly, the salary of a Chief Revenue Officer in Cyprus is EUR 144,000, while in Dubai it is EUR 327,000. And needless to say, the UAE has no personal income tax.
The latest industry-wide salary survey by FinTop Consulting, a staffing firm in the B2B FX industry, was exclusively shared with FinanceMagnates.com.
Salaries in Dubai Are Growing Faster Than in Cyprus
The survey found that the average salary increase was 5.4 per cent across all sectors in Cyprus, while the growth was between 6 per cent and 8 per cent in Dubai-based roles, “driven by heightened demand for specialised skills.”
Reece Pawsey, Director at FinTop Consulting
Dubai has emerged as a challenger to Cyprus’s forex and fintech industry. The dominance of the Middle Eastern city, with its vast talent pool, has attracted a lot of brokers and other trading-related companies.
The growing demand for FX roles in Dubai is rising as many brokers and other trading industry service providers are setting up a physical presence in the city. Many brokers have even obtained local licences to cement their presence in the region.
However, it should be noted that the cost of living in Dubai is 25 per cent higher than in Limassol. Is that a deterrent, or are the salaries high enough to attract top talent to the desert city?
Dubai vs Cyprus: Salaries
The salary of a CEO based in Cyprus can reach EUR 300,000 annually; however, a CEO at a smaller firm may earn between EUR 36,000 and EUR 72,000. The survey of Dubai-based roles, however, did not disclose the CEO salary range.
Although salaries for certain C-level roles in the two countries are comparable, others show a stark contrast, favouring Dubai. The salary of a Chief Marketing Officer in Cyprus reaches a maximum of EUR 200,000, while in Dubai it can go up to EUR 229,000. A Chief Technology Officer in Cyprus can earn up to EUR 210,000, whereas someone in a similar role in Dubai can take home up to EUR 229,000.
Cyprus has long established itself as the European hub for the retail forex industry. However, its dominance is now being challenged by Dubai, and this shift is clearly reflected in the salaries offered for many roles.
That said, not all Cyprus-based roles offer lower salaries than those in Dubai. The maximum salary of a Chief Financial Officer in Cyprus is EUR 240,000, while Dubai-based counterparts can earn up to EUR 196,000 a year, according to the survey.
Dubai usually offers significantly higher pay for middle management roles. The salary of a Head of Marketing can reach between EUR 120,000 and EUR 173,000 in Cyprus, whereas the same position based in Dubai can earn up to EUR 196,000.
Compliance-related roles also command higher salaries in Dubai. A Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer can each earn up to EUR 261,000, with the Head of Legal receiving a similar amount. In contrast, a senior-level Head of Legal & Compliance in Cyprus earns up to EUR 150,000.
Both Cyprus and Dubai require tech-centric skills. However, the top in-demand skills in Dubai are regulatory and compliance expertise, followed by blockchain development and algorithmic and quantitative trading.
In Cyprus, demand is also growing for Regulatory Technology (RegTech), ESG analytics, and compliance automation. The need for compliance-related roles surged across Europe following the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) last year.
This shift is also reflected in salaries in Cyprus, where the compensation for a Head of Compliance has almost doubled compared to a year ago.
When it comes to direct revenue-generating roles, a Head of Sales in Dubai, with a maximum salary of around EUR 245,000, can earn more than double that of a counterpart in Cyprus. In operations, a Cyprus-based Chief Dealer earns up to EUR 144,000—less than half the annual salary of a Chief Trading Officer based in Dubai. The Head of Trading in Cyprus also earns nearly half the amount offered for the same role in Dubai.
However, there are notable differences when it comes to managerial roles. While a Business Development Manager in Cyprus can earn up to EUR 60,000 and one in Dubai up to EUR 88,000, the top salary of a Compliance Manager in the Mediterranean island is higher than in the desert city. A Risk Manager in Cyprus can also earn almost double the salary of one based in Dubai.
According to the survey, Limassol remains the epicentre of activity within Cyprus, representing over 62 per cent of fintech and tech professionals in the country. Nicosia and Larnaca follow, at 24 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively. The majority of the workforce has 5 to 10 years of experience.
Arnab is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He entered the industry covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates and later expanded his reach to forex as well. He is passionate about the changing regulatory landscape on financial markets and keenly follows the disruptions in the industry with new-age technologies.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
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▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
Exness CMO Alfonso Cardalda on Cape Town office launch, Africa growth, and marketing strategy
Exness CMO Alfonso Cardalda on Cape Town office launch, Africa growth, and marketing strategy
Exness is expanding its presence in Africa, and in this exclusive interview, CMO Alfonso Cardalda shares how.
Filmed during the grand opening of Exness’s new Cape Town office, Alfonso sits down with Andrea Badiola Mateos from Finance Magnates to discuss:
- Exness’s marketing approach in South Africa
- What makes their trading product stand out
- Customer retention vs. acquisition strategies
- The role of local influencers
- Managing growth across emerging markets
👉 Watch the full interview for fundamental insights into the future of trading in Africa.
#Exness #Forex #Trading #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Finance #FinanceMagnates
Exness is expanding its presence in Africa, and in this exclusive interview, CMO Alfonso Cardalda shares how.
Filmed during the grand opening of Exness’s new Cape Town office, Alfonso sits down with Andrea Badiola Mateos from Finance Magnates to discuss:
- Exness’s marketing approach in South Africa
- What makes their trading product stand out
- Customer retention vs. acquisition strategies
- The role of local influencers
- Managing growth across emerging markets
👉 Watch the full interview for fundamental insights into the future of trading in Africa.
#Exness #Forex #Trading #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Finance #FinanceMagnates
How does the Finance Magnates newsroom handle sensitive updates that may affect a brand?
How does the Finance Magnates newsroom handle sensitive updates that may affect a brand?
Yam Yehoshua, Editor-in-Chief at Finance Magnates, explains the approach: reaching out before publication, hearing all sides, and making careful, case-by-case decisions with balance and responsibility.
⚖ Balanced reporting
📞 Right of response
📰 Responsible journalism
#FinanceMagnates #FinancialJournalism #ResponsibleReporting #FinanceNews #EditorialStandards
Yam Yehoshua, Editor-in-Chief at Finance Magnates, explains the approach: reaching out before publication, hearing all sides, and making careful, case-by-case decisions with balance and responsibility.
⚖ Balanced reporting
📞 Right of response
📰 Responsible journalism
#FinanceMagnates #FinancialJournalism #ResponsibleReporting #FinanceNews #EditorialStandards
