Financial and Business News

Pepperstone Launches Dubai Hub With SCA Approval as Retail Broker Interest Grows

Monday, 08/12/2025 | 09:46 GMT by Tareq Sikder
  • SCA licence lets Pepperstone offer regulated “marketing, promotion, and limited advisory services” in the UAE.
  • XM, Scope, and the company are among brokers obtaining UAE onshore licences this month.
Pepperstone

Pepperstone has received a Category 5 licence from the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority and opened a new onshore office in Dubai.

The move reflects interest among retail brokers in obtaining UAE onshore licences. Rostro Group, the owner of retail broker Scope, secured a Category 5 licence from the regulator. Earlier this month, online trading firm XM also confirmed that it obtained SCA approval to operate in the country under a Category 5 licence.

Dubai Office Becomes Pepperstone Regional Hub

The SCA licence allows Pepperstone to carry out “Arrangement and Advice” activities in the UAE. This includes regulated marketing , promotion, and limited advisory and introduction services. These activities are permitted for professional clients and partners under the onshore regulatory framework.

Pepperstone’s new office is located at Emaar Square in Dubai. The office will serve as the firm’s regional hub for the UAE and the wider MENA region. It will support relationship management, commercial operations, and education. It will also act as a local contact point for institutional partners, professional traders, and introducing brokers.

SCA Approval Enhances Pepperstone UAE Operations

Gescard Hessen, Head of MENA at Pepperstone, described the move as a “strategic milestone.” He said operating onshore under the SCA framework allows the firm to stay closer to clients and “respond faster to evolving market needs.”

The new SCA licence adds to Pepperstone’s existing regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions. The company said the approval supports its ability to provide regulated services with local oversight for professional clients in the region.

Dubai Brokers Benefit from Digital Licensing System

The expansion of brokers in Dubai coincides with the DFSA’s launch of a digital platform to update licensing for firms operating in the DIFC. DFSA Connect automates parts of the authorization process and aims to reduce processing times by about one-third.

Application volumes rose 18% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to 2024, with retail brokers, CFD and FX firms, and cryptocurrency companies seeking licenses in Dubai.

Pepperstone has received a Category 5 licence from the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority and opened a new onshore office in Dubai.

The move reflects interest among retail brokers in obtaining UAE onshore licences. Rostro Group, the owner of retail broker Scope, secured a Category 5 licence from the regulator. Earlier this month, online trading firm XM also confirmed that it obtained SCA approval to operate in the country under a Category 5 licence.

Dubai Office Becomes Pepperstone Regional Hub

The SCA licence allows Pepperstone to carry out “Arrangement and Advice” activities in the UAE. This includes regulated marketing , promotion, and limited advisory and introduction services. These activities are permitted for professional clients and partners under the onshore regulatory framework.

Pepperstone’s new office is located at Emaar Square in Dubai. The office will serve as the firm’s regional hub for the UAE and the wider MENA region. It will support relationship management, commercial operations, and education. It will also act as a local contact point for institutional partners, professional traders, and introducing brokers.

SCA Approval Enhances Pepperstone UAE Operations

Gescard Hessen, Head of MENA at Pepperstone, described the move as a “strategic milestone.” He said operating onshore under the SCA framework allows the firm to stay closer to clients and “respond faster to evolving market needs.”

The new SCA licence adds to Pepperstone’s existing regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions. The company said the approval supports its ability to provide regulated services with local oversight for professional clients in the region.

Dubai Brokers Benefit from Digital Licensing System

The expansion of brokers in Dubai coincides with the DFSA’s launch of a digital platform to update licensing for firms operating in the DIFC. DFSA Connect automates parts of the authorization process and aims to reduce processing times by about one-third.

Application volumes rose 18% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to 2024, with retail brokers, CFD and FX firms, and cryptocurrency companies seeking licenses in Dubai.

Topics
retail
retail brokers
retail FX
pepperstone
license
About the Author: Tareq Sikder
Tareq Sikder
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A Forex technical analyst and writer who has been engaged in financial writing for 12 years.

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