2Strong

DFSA regulated forex brokers

Dubai Financial Services Authority · 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) is the financial regulator for United Arab Emirates, established in 2004. ForexLicenses.com classifies it as tier 2 (strong regulation). We currently match 12 brokers in our database to an DFSA licence.

The DFSA regulates firms in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a financial free zone with its own common-law courts. Its rulebook draws heavily on UK standards, including client money rules, and many international brokers — Pepperstone, IG, Tickmill, XTB and others — hold DFSA licences to serve Gulf clients. Note that a DFSA licence covers activity from the DIFC; brokers serving onshore UAE clients may also need Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) authorisation.

Key rules for retail clients

Tier: Tier 2 — Strong regulation
Compensation: No compensation scheme
Leverage: Set under DFSA conduct rules for retail clients; check the firm's disclosures
Negative balance protection: Not confirmed — check with the broker
Client money: Client money rules modelled on UK CASS
Complaints: DFSA complaints / DIFC Courts

Brokers licensed by the DFSA 12

Broker Licences on record Licence Score Actions

1 I IG Spread betting & CFD provider, since 1974 ASIC BaFin CFTC / NFA FCA FINMA JFSA+5 93Very strong Licences Visit site

2 P Plus500 Forex & CFD broker, since 2008 ASIC CFTC / NFA FCA MAS CySEC DFSA+4 92Very strong Licences Visit site

3 S Swissquote Trading bank, since 1996 FCA FINMA MAS SFC CSSF DFSA+1 92Very strong Licences Visit site

4 P Pepperstone Forex & CFD broker, since 2010 ASIC BaFin FCA CySEC DFSA CMA (Kenya)+1 78Strong Licences Visit site

5 X XTB Multi-asset broker, since 2002 FCA CySEC DFSA FSCA KNF FSC (Belize) 75Strong Licences Visit site

6 A Axi Forex & CFD broker, since 2007 ASIC FCA DFSA FMA (NZ) 71Strong Licences Visit site

7 H HFM Forex & CFD broker, since 2010 FCA CySEC DFSA FSCA CMA (Kenya)FSC (MU)+1 70Strong Licences Visit site

8 X XM Forex & CFD broker, since 2009 ASIC CySEC DFSA FSCA CMA (Kenya)FSA (Seychelles)+1 70Strong Licences Visit site

9 H HYCM Forex & CFD broker, since 1977 FCA CySEC DFSA CIMA 67Strong Licences Visit site

10 T Tickmill Forex & CFD broker, since 2014 FCA CySEC DFSA FSCA Labuan FSA FSA (Seychelles) 67Strong Licences Visit site

11 AC Amana Capital Forex & CFD broker, since 2010 CySEC DFSA FSC (MU) 50Moderate Licences Visit site

12 M M4Markets Forex & CFD broker, since 2019 CySEC DFSA FSA (Seychelles) 45Moderate Licences Visit site

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a broker is DFSA regulated?

Search the firm's name or licence number on the DFSA official register (https://www.dfsa.ae/public-register/firms), confirm the status is current and that the website domain you're using is listed, then check the DFSA warning list for clones.

Does the DFSA offer investor compensation?

No compensation scheme

What leverage do DFSA-regulated brokers offer?

Set under DFSA conduct rules for retail clients; check the firm's disclosures

Is negative balance protection required by the DFSA?

We have not confirmed a blanket requirement under the DFSA. Check the broker's client agreement for its negative balance policy.