ActivTrades has recently obtained a licence from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) of the United Arab Emirates. The CMA granted the authorisation to ActivTrades Financial Services LLC, and the broker announced it on 24 September 2026.
If you are already a client, little changes for you: your account stays with the same group entity, with exactly the same protections as before. Below you will find what the licence allows and why it matters for the broker.
What the CMA Category 5 licence allows
The CMA is the authority that supervises the financial markets of the United Arab Emirates. It was formerly known as the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), a name that can still be found in many official documents.
ActivTrades has been granted a Category 5 licence, which covers introduction and promotion activities. In practice, it allows the group to:
- Operate in the UAE as a regulated entity
- Introduce and promote the group's services to local clients
- Offer on-site assistance and support under CMA supervision
Category 5 is not a dealing licence: order execution and the safekeeping of client funds remain with the group's other regulated entities.
You can check the authorisation directly on the CMA register of licensed companies by searching for the code CP-0001956.
ActivTrades returns to the UAE
This is not ActivTrades' first time in the region. In 2017 the broker opened an office in Dubai, licensed by the DFSA, the regulator of the Dubai International Financial Centre.
At the end of 2018 the group returned the licence and closed the office, citing political tensions in the region and a stronger strategic focus on Europe and Latin America.
The new authorisation therefore marks a return to the UAE after eight years.
What it means for ActivTrades clients
The CMA licence has no direct effect on existing clients. The entity you open your account with depends on where you live:
- UK residents: ActivTrades PLC, authorised and regulated by the FCA
- EU residents: ActivTrades Europe S.A., based in Portugal and supervised by the CMVM
- Clients in other countries: the group entities regulated in the Bahamas or Mauritius
Little changes for you
Your contract, your protections and your trading conditions stay exactly the same. UK clients keep their FSCS coverage, and the broker also offers additional insurance on client funds.
The benefit for you is indirect: every new authorisation requires checks on capital, governance and compliance procedures. A group supervised by several regulators across different continents is, in general, a sign of solidity.
69% of retail accounts lose money with CFDs. Consider the risks before investing.
ActivTrades licences worldwide
With the CMA, the ActivTrades group is authorised by regulators in seven countries:
| Regulator | Country |
|---|---|
| FCA | United Kingdom |
| CMVM | Portugal (EU) |
| SCB | Bahamas |
| BACEN and CVM | Brazil |
| FSC | Mauritius |
| CMA | United Arab Emirates |
Who is ActivTrades
ActivTrades is a CFD and forex broker founded in Switzerland in 2001 and headquartered in London since 2005. Its founder and CEO is Alex Pusco.
Today it reports over 300,000 clients worldwide and offers more than 1,000 CFDs across seven asset classes: forex, shares, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs and bonds.
You can trade on four platforms:
- ActivTrader, the proprietary platform
- MetaTrader 4
- MetaTrader 5
- TradingView
Customer support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via chat, phone and email.
To find out more about fees, platforms and safety, read our full ActivTrades review or visit the broker's website.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
