DFSA / FSRA / CMA · United Arab Emirates
Dubai Financial Services Authority, Financial Services Regulatory Authority (ADGM), Capital Market Authority
The UAE has three regulators to know. The DFSA (Dubai International Financial Centre) and FSRA (Abu Dhabi Global Market) run English-style common-law financial centres. Onshore, the Capital Market Authority replaced the SCA from 1 January 2026.
- Retail leverage
- In the DIFC and ADGM, retail FX is capped at about 30:1 on major pairs (3.33% margin) and 20:1 on other instruments (5% margin). The FSRA also requires negative balance protection.
- Compensation
- No investor compensation scheme.
- Capital
- Varies by licence category. Dealing as principal requires substantially more capital than arranging or advising.
- Supervision & substance
- A real office and staff in the relevant centre, approved individuals, client-money rules, and active supervision. Onshore, the CMA licenses dealing separately from introducing-only firms.
- Stocks, futures & crypto
- All three cover securities and derivatives. Crypto is well developed: VARA in Dubai, plus dedicated crypto regimes at the DFSA and FSRA.
- Trade-off
- Three regimes under one flag, so check which regulator the firm is actually licensed by and for what activity. An introducing-only licence does not allow a firm to hold your money or deal with you.
What it means for you: A fast-rising, well-supervised hub. Good protection, as long as the entity you sign with holds a dealing licence and not just an introducing one.
Common questions about DFSA / FSRA / CMA
Is DFSA / FSRA / CMA a good regulator for forex brokers?
In our view, DFSA / FSRA / CMA is a top-tier regulator (Tier 1 · Top-tier onshore). The UAE has three regulators to know. The DFSA (Dubai International Financial Centre) and FSRA (Abu Dhabi Global Market) run English-style common-law financial centres. Onshore, the Capital Market Authority replaced the SCA from 1 January 2026. A fast-rising, well-supervised hub. Good protection, as long as the entity you sign with holds a dealing licence and not just an introducing one.
What leverage can brokers regulated by DFSA / FSRA / CMA offer retail clients?
In the DIFC and ADGM, retail FX is capped at about 30:1 on major pairs (3.33% margin) and 20:1 on other instruments (5% margin). The FSRA also requires negative balance protection.
Is there a compensation scheme if a broker regulated by DFSA / FSRA / CMA fails?
No investor compensation scheme.
Does DFSA / FSRA / CMA regulate stocks, futures, or crypto?
All three cover securities and derivatives. Crypto is well developed: VARA in Dubai, plus dedicated crypto regimes at the DFSA and FSRA.
A licence only protects you if your account is with the entity that holds it. Many broker groups hold several licences and onboard clients through an offshore entity. Check your client agreement, and verify the licence on the regulator's own register.
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Tiers and ratings are M1 Strategic's own assessment, based on public sources listed in our regulator guide. Rules change: always verify with the regulator directly. Not financial advice.