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SCA Regulated Forex Brokers 2026

Tier 2 - Well Regulated

Securities and Commodities Authority · United Arab Emirates (Mainland) · Est. 2000

The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) is the federal financial regulatory body of the United Arab Emirates, responsible for regulating securities markets and financial services on the UAE mainland - outside the DIFC and ADGM financial free zones. Established by Federal Law in 2000, the SCA oversees brokers, investment advisers, and financial services firms operating for UAE mainland clients. The SCA has increasingly strengthened its enforcement capabilities and has issued guidance on OTC derivatives and forex trading. For traders in Dubai (outside the DIFC), Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and across the UAE, the SCA is the primary federal regulator governing the financial services they access locally.

Regulator Type

Federal statutory authority (UAE Mainland)

Compensation Scheme

No specific retail compensation fund

Jurisdiction

UAE mainland (all emirates except DIFC/ADGM)

Client Fund Segregation

Required for licensed entities

Regulatory Powers

Licensing, supervision, enforcement, fines

Regulatory Register

SCA register at sca.gov.ae

Forex Brokers Regulated by SCA (3 found)

Exness ☛ Islamic

Min deposit: $1.00 · Leverage: 1:2000 · EUR/USD: 0.10 pips

Regulated by: FCA, CySEC, FSCA, FSA

Read Review Open Account

Min deposit: $250.00 · Leverage: 1:200 · EUR/USD: 0.60 pips

Regulated by: FCA, ASIC, MAS, CFTC, BaFin, FSCA

Read Review Open Account

AvaTrade ☛ Islamic

Min deposit: $100.00 · Leverage: 1:400 · EUR/USD: 0.90 pips

Regulated by: Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FSA, FSCA

Read Review Open Account

What Is the Securities and Commodities Authority?

How to Verify SCA Regulation

Before depositing funds with any broker, verify their regulatory status directly on the SCA official register. Do not rely solely on licence numbers displayed on a broker's website - always cross-check the number against the public register. The official website is listed in the key facts above. Be wary of clone firms that use the names and registration numbers of legitimate brokers to deceive traders. For a full breakdown of all GCC and international regulators, see our GCC Forex Regulation Complete Guide.

Related Guides

GCC Forex Regulation Hub - All 19 Regulators Explained Is Forex Trading Legal in UAE? Full Legal Guide Understanding Forex Regulation in MENA How to Choose a Forex Broker - UAE & Gulf Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does SCA regulation mean for UAE traders?

SCA regulation means the broker is authorised by the UAE's federal Securities and Commodities Authority to operate on the UAE mainland. SCA-regulated brokers are subject to UAE federal law, must hold client funds separately, and operate under SCA supervision. Most international brokers serving UAE traders hold licences from the FCA or ASIC in addition to or instead of an SCA licence.

Is SCA the same as DFSA?

No. The SCA regulates financial services on the UAE mainland (across all 7 emirates outside the DIFC and ADGM). The DFSA regulates firms within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which is a special economic zone. The two are separate regulators with separate jurisdictions. Most major international forex brokers operating in the UAE hold an SCA licence or serve UAE clients under FCA/ASIC licences.

Can I trade forex with an SCA-regulated broker?

Yes. SCA-regulated brokers can provide forex and CFD trading services to UAE mainland clients. However, the choice of SCA-licensed retail forex brokers is limited. Most Gulf traders use internationally regulated brokers (FCA, ASIC, CySEC) which are legally accessible to UAE residents, providing broader choice and often stronger client protection frameworks.

How do I verify SCA regulation?

Visit the SCA website at sca.gov.ae and use the licensed entities search to verify a broker's SCA licence status. A legitimate SCA-regulated broker will have an active licence number with details of permitted activities. The SCA has also published warnings against unlicensed brokers targeting UAE investors.

Other Regulators

← All Regulators FCA (UK) ASIC (AU) CySEC (EU) DFSA (UAE) FSRA (ADGM) CMA (SA) CMA (KW) CBB (BH) QFCRA (QA) MAS (SG) NFA (US) BaFin (DE) FSCA (ZA) FMA (NZ) FSA (SC) FSC (MU) VFSC (VU) CIMA (KY)