A recent analytical study has revealed that the United Arab Emirates has emerged as a global hub for fintech and electronic trading in recent years, capturing over half a trillion dollars, which constitutes more than half of the total trading volume in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The findings of this study were presented during an event held today in Abu Dhabi, featuring the participation of His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, the Minister of Foreign Trade.
The comprehensive analytical study, crafted by the global trading platform “Capital.com” in collaboration with the strategic consulting firm APCO, is titled: “New Horizons: The Role of Innovation, Ambition, and Accessibility in Supporting the Growth of Electronic Trading in the MENA Region.”
The study analyzed documented trading data from “Capital.com” over two years, involving around 62,850 active traders in the region who executed 85.5 million transactions. It highlighted that the unprecedented growth in electronic trading of financial derivatives in the MENA region, particularly in the UAE, has been driven by a digitally ambitious generation.
It was noted in the study that since “Capital.com” obtained its license from the Securities and Commodities Authority in the UAE in April 2024, the MENA region, led by the UAE, has become the fastest-growing market for the company, now accounting for more than half of its global trading volumes.
In the first half of 2025, “Capital.com” recorded trading volumes of approximately 1.5 trillion dollars, marking a 42.5% increase compared to the second half of 2024. This was fueled by trading in the region reaching 804.1 billion dollars, a rise of 53.3% during the comparison period, of which 576.5 billion dollars originated solely from the UAE, solidifying the country’s status as a global fintech and digital trading capital.
The study emphasized the role of an advanced regulatory environment, high-speed connectivity, and widespread smartphone adoption in enabling broad participation among individuals in the UAE and the region. It pointed out that regulations from the Securities and Commodities Authority allow trading in Contracts for Difference (CFDs), giving traders access to global financial assets without owning the underlying asset, albeit these are high-risk instruments that require a focus on transparency, risk management, and education.
His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi stated that the robust performance of the fintech and electronic trading sector, showcased in this study, reflects the UAE’s commitment to building a competitive digital economy that looks to the future by combining world-class infrastructure, advanced and growth-oriented regulations, and a rising level of financial awareness, aiming to empower more individual traders to participate confidently and responsibly in the opportunities presented by the global economy and new financial derivatives.
Victor Prokopenia, the founder of “Capital.com”, commented: “The Middle East is experiencing a pivotal moment in its financial evolution, particularly in the UAE, where digital finance opens unprecedented doors to global markets, transforming the way people trade, invest, and build wealth.”
The data underpinning the analytical study indicates that 86% of traders in the region are aged between 18 and 44, with millennials making up 55% of active users. Furthermore, the region’s percentage of university-educated individuals exceeds that of Europe, standing at 64% compared to 39%. Additionally, the region boasts a higher income level, with those earning over 200,000 dollars annually outnumbering their European counterparts by four times, alongside a tenfold increase in clients with deposits exceeding one million dollars over the past two years.
The study highlights a notable trend of learning through practice, with 45% of traders in the region starting their digital trading journey with demo accounts, compared to 32% in Europe, showcasing an increasing interest in financial education.
Mamoun Sabih, President of APCO in the MENA region, noted: “The remarkable growth of electronic trading in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, underscores the importance of a transparent regulatory environment and heightened financial literacy among individuals favoring digital trading in financial derivatives that require knowledge and understanding of their associated risks and management strategies.”
The study disclosed that traders in the MENA region are highly active and tend to adopt short-term trading strategies, closing 71% of their transactions on the same day, compared to 41% in Europe. The most traded assets among them include gold, oil, natural gas, major stock indices, and cryptocurrencies.
Although they achieve a higher percentage of profitable trades – averaging 48.6% compared to 43.8% in Europe – the number of traders generating net profits in the region is less than half that of their European counterparts, primarily due to a weaker utilization of risk management tools.
Tarik Shbeeb, CEO of “Capital.com” in the MENA region, remarked: “Unrestrained boldness can translate into overconfidence. The largest gap we see is in risk management, and education coupled with financial awareness is the solution, which we are actively addressing through our company.”
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the necessity of enhancing financial literacy among individuals in the Middle East and disseminating educational tools supported by artificial intelligence, ensuring responsible and sustainable participation while transforming enthusiasm and ambition into long-term financial empowerment.