Global CFD broker Vantage Markets said on Wednesday it had secured a UAE Capital Market Authority Category 5 licence for its entity Vantage Global Financial Services L.L.C.
The licence permits the entity to operate only as an introducer. Vantage said in its announcement that the Dubai-based entity is neither a broker nor the counterparty to any trades.
“As the MENA market continues to mature, traders are looking beyond simple market access. They demand transparency, operational confidence, and responsible support,” said Marc Despallieres, Global Chief Executive Officer of Vantage Markets.
The approval comes under the UAE’s updated regulatory framework. The CMA replaced the Securities and Commodities Authority at the start of 2026, and the new regime expressly covers cross-border activity targeting clients within the UAE. Category 5 has become a common route for CFD firms seeking an onshore MENA footprint without a full execution licence.
Vantage already operates through entities regulated by ASIC, the FCA, the FSCA, CIMA and the VFSC. The UAE approval adds a mainland MENA layer to that multi-jurisdictional structure.
