BitDelta has secured a UAE CMA Category 5 introducing licence and opened its Dubai Business Bay office, establishing a regulated GCC hub for client onboarding, compliance, regulatory affairs and partnerships under clearly defined business limits.
BitDelta’s Dubai Entity Secures UAE CMA Category 5 Licence
Dubai-headquartered CFD broker BitDelta announced on 20 July 2026 that its UAE entity, Bitdelta Securities Financial Services LLC, had secured a Category 5 “Introducing” licence from the UAE Securities and Commodities regulator (CMA). Its office in Dubai’s Business Bay has also become fully operational. The licence was formally issued on 12 May 2026, two months before the announcement date.
According to the company announcement, the Business Bay office will serve as BitDelta’s operational hub for the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Dedicated teams will oversee four areas: client onboarding, compliance, regulatory affairs and partnerships.
(Source: BitDelta company announcement, as reported by FX News Group; published: 2026-07-20; licence issuance date: 2026-05-12.)
Scope of Activities Under the Category 5 Licence
Under the CMA’s Category 5 regulatory framework, BitDelta Securities is authorised to operate in the UAE as a regulated introducing broker, connecting eligible retail and professional investors with licensed and reputable international brokers. The covered asset classes include:
Forex and precious metals
Commodities, indices and equities
Bonds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
Futures, options and spot-market products
The company also specified four restrictions applying to activities conducted under the licence:
It provides introducing services only and does not hold or manage client funds;
It does not execute any trading instructions;
It does not provide investment advice beyond the scope of its authorisation;
All trading decisions are made independently by clients, and introductions are limited to financial institutions that meet regulatory standards and maintain investor protection and market integrity mechanisms.
Management Statement
BitDelta Group Chief Executive Officer Demetrios Zamboglou issued a written statement regarding the approval.
“Securing full Category 5 approval from the CMA is a milestone moment for BitDelta Securities. It marks the successful completion of a rigorous regulatory process and validates our commitment to building a compliant, transparent and institutionally disciplined financial services business in the UAE.”
In the same statement, he added that, following the full launch of the company’s local Business Bay office, clients across the GCC region would be served by a local team operating under the direct supervision of the UAE Capital Market Authority.
(Source: Written statement by the Chief Executive Officer of BitDelta Group, as reported by FX News Group; published: 2026-07-20.)
UAE Licensing Becomes a Key Expansion Route for the Forex and CFD Industry
During the 12-month period from July 2025 to July 2026, the UAE CMA licence, formerly known as the SCA licence, became one of the most actively sought regulatory authorisations in the forex and CFD industry. This trend has been driven by brokers and liquidity providers selecting the UAE as an operational entry point into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market.
Distribution of Recently Approved Firms
According to publicly available statistics from industry media, more than 20 firms secured UAE licences during the same period, covering business models including retail brokerage, liquidity services and introducing brokerage. Representative firms include:
Retail CFD brokers including Vantage, Mitrade, Pepperstone, XM and Eightcap
Financial services groups including Finalto, Rostro Group and Prima Capital
Recently approved entities including BeeMarkets, Empire Markets (FXEM), PU Prime, INFINOX, XS.com, Neex, Tradeview, EC Markets, CPT Markets, VPFX and STARTRADER
| Date | Event | Regulatory Entity | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-12 | Category 5 “Introducing” licence formally issued | UAE CMA | Obtained regulated introducing broker status |
| 2026-07-20 | Company announced the approval and launch of office operations | BitDelta Securities | Business Bay office became fully operational |
| 2026-07-20 | GCC regional operational hub function confirmed | BitDelta Group | Dedicated teams established for client onboarding, compliance, regulatory affairs and partnerships |
| July 2025 to July 2026 | Period of concentrated UAE licence approvals | UAE CMA | More than 20 forex and CFD firms approved |
Differences in the Positioning of Regulatory Frameworks
It is important to distinguish between the multiple financial regulatory regimes operating concurrently within the UAE. The Category 5 licence is an authorisation issued under the federal CMA framework and differs from the separate regulatory arrangements governing the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) financial free zones. The activities of Category 5 licence holders are limited to introductions and referrals and do not include proprietary trading, custody of client funds or market-making functions.
(Source: FX News Group, CFDs broker BitDelta gets UAE CMA Category 5 license; published: 2026-07-20.)
Questions About BitDelta’s UAE Licence
When did BitDelta obtain its UAE licence?
The licence was formally issued on 12 May 2026. The company announced the development on 20 July 2026 and confirmed that its Dubai Business Bay office had become fully operational.
What activities can BitDelta conduct under the Category 5 licence?
The licence allows BitDelta to operate in the UAE as a regulated introducing broker, connecting eligible retail and professional investors with licensed international brokers. It covers asset classes including forex, commodities, precious metals, indices, equities, bonds, ETFs, futures, options and spot markets.
Can a company holding a Category 5 licence execute trades directly?
No. According to the company announcement, BitDelta Securities provides introducing services only. It does not hold or manage client funds, execute trading instructions or provide investment advice beyond the scope of its authorisation. All trading decisions are made independently by clients.
What is the relationship between the UAE CMA and the former SCA?
The CMA is the UAE Capital Market Authority, formerly known as the Securities and Commodities Authority, or SCA. The licences secured by numerous forex and CFD firms over the past year fall under this federal regulatory framework.
Why have so many brokers recently applied for UAE licences?
During the period from July 2025 to July 2026, numerous brokers and liquidity providers selected the UAE as an operational entry point into the Middle East and North Africa market. More than 20 firms secured approvals, including Vantage, Mitrade, Pepperstone, XM, Finalto and Eightcap.
What functions does the Business Bay office perform?
The office serves as BitDelta’s operational hub for the UAE and GCC region. It houses dedicated teams responsible for client onboarding, compliance, regulatory affairs and partnerships.
