Online trading platform Deriv has officially launched operations in the United Arab Emirates after obtaining a Category 1 license from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). The authorization was granted to its new subsidiary, Deriv Capital Contracts & Currencies L.L.C., marking a major step in the company’s expansion into the Middle East’s growing retail trading market.
What Happened: Deriv Gains Full SCA Approval
With 26 years in the industry and over three million clients globally, Deriv now joins a select group of brokers regulated under the UAE’s SCA framework. The licence enables the company to offer a full range of trading services — including CFDs via MetaTrader 5 — under direct local supervision.
The SCA’s Category 1 license is one of the most comprehensive authorisations available to financial intermediaries in the UAE. It allows Deriv to offer leveraged trading on currencies, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies while ensuring compliance with local investor protection and anti-money-laundering rules.
According to Rakshit Choudhary, who became sole CEO of Deriv in May 2025, “This market is especially exciting given its young, digital-first population and leading global cryptocurrency adoption. We’re eager to empower clients across the UAE with our innovative platforms.”
Investor Takeaway
Why the UAE Market Matters for Deriv
The UAE has emerged as one of the fastest-growing hubs for online trading and digital assets. With increasing regulatory clarity, global brokers like IG, CMC, and Robinhood have been expanding regional presence or participating in industry events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
For Deriv, entering the UAE under SCA oversight strengthens its global footprint alongside other licenses in Mauritius (June 2024) and the Cayman Islands (April 2025). The UAE license positions the firm to capture a rapidly growing market where retail investors are becoming more sophisticated and demand locally compliant solutions.
Joanna Frendo, Executive Director of Deriv Capital Contracts & Currencies L.L.C. and Chief Compliance Officer of Deriv Group, emphasized the strategic significance: “Obtaining our SCA licence was fundamental to our regional strategy, allowing us to serve clients in the UAE with the transparency, safeguards, and service quality that have defined Deriv for over two decades.”
How Deriv is Localizing for UAE Clients
Deriv’s UAE rollout includes a mobile app for iOS and Android, featuring AED-based demo and live accounts, Arabic and English interfaces, and region-specific payment solutions. Clients can trade across six global markets with built-in risk management tools and swap-free trading options tailored to local preferences.
Beyond its platform, the company is introducing local educational programs and support teams to help new traders navigate leveraged markets responsibly. This localization effort reflects a broader trend among global fintech firms seeking regulatory acceptance and cultural alignment in the Gulf region.
Investor Takeaway
What’s Next: Competing in a Tightening Regulatory Landscape
Deriv’s entry adds to a wave of international brokers seeking to tap the Gulf’s expanding retail investor base. With the UAE continuing to enhance its oversight of virtual assets and financial intermediaries, the market is maturing fast — offering growth potential but also higher compliance costs.
Analysts note that regulatory approval from the SCA gives Deriv a long-term foothold in a jurisdiction aligning itself with global standards. As the region’s appetite for crypto and derivatives trading accelerates, Deriv’s mix of technology, localized support, and compliance may help it capture early market share ahead of larger institutional competition.