Starting a Brokerage House in Dubai & UAE: Shares, Forex and Crypto Guide

That holy grail for a brokerage house—shares, forex, or crypto—has been the UAE. With cutting-edge infrastructure at its disposal, proven regulators on the international stage, and policy that is investor-friendly, the nation has room for financial success as much as entrepreneurial success.

We make it easy for you at Taxtube by walking you through the maze of licensing and regulation. This blog guides you through the ABCs of establishing your brokerage company in the UAE.

Why the UAE is The Place to Be for Brokerage Firms

1. Strategic location: First financial hub linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
2. Ownership advantage: 100% foreign ownership permitted in the majority of the free zones.
3. Tax incentives: Zero corporate tax and low individual tax regime.
4. Reputation: Very high level of trust by foreign investors and partners.
5. Regulation: DFSA, FSRA, SCA, and VARA open regulation create trust.
6. Ecosystem: Reliable bank, fintech, and law ecosystem supporting growth for every Brokerage House.

Free Zones Where You Can Register

• You will have to choose the best free zone as it will determine your regulatory environment, cost, and liberties at work.
• Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) – Governed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), most appropriate for securities broking and forex broking.
• Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) – Governed by the FSRA, of most special interest to securities broking and virtual asset broking.
• Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) – Most appropriate for proprietary trading, fintech, and crypto business.
• International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) – Most appropriate for consultancy, fintech, and broking-type support activities.
• RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) – Affordable for fintech support and advisory financial business.
• Meydan Free Zone – Better suited for business ancillary financial business of brokerage business.

For complete license of securities, forex, or cryptocurrency, free financial zones such as DIFC and ADGM would be better. Free zones such as DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, and Meydan would typically be for fintech support or advisory business.

Licensing & Regulatory Approvals

• License that you will require depends on the activity that you are conducting:
• Securities & foreign exchange broking – DFSA (DIFC), FSRA (ADGM), or SCA (mainland) license.
• Crypto & virtual assets broking – Regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) or FSRA (ADGM).
• Financial advisory & support services – Free zones like IFZA, RAKEZ, Meydan, or DMCC can license them.
• Each regulator has different compliance, capital, and manpower demands.

Sovereign Requirements

• Unlike the initial start of a consultancy business firm. The auditors are extremely stringent at the time of audit and only genuine and secure companies are allowed to do business.
• Paid-up capital – Activity based; forex and crypto possess a superior one.
• Human resource – Compliance officer, money laundering reporting officer (MLRO), and trained finance staff.
• Compliance – Strict AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations.
• Technology & cyber security – Secure IT infrastructure, secure data protection.
• Audits & reporting – Monthly risk monitoring, audits, and finance reporting.

Step-by-Step Setup Process

• Define your scope – To trade on shares, forex, crypto, or a multi-asset model.
• Choose jurisdiction – DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, or Meydan.
• Develop a business plan – Compliance, capital, and staff.
• Apply – File an application with the respective regulator or free zone authority.
• Meet requirements – Office space, capital deposit, IT facilities, and staff.
• Pass due diligence – Interviews and vetting by the authorities.
• Get license – You can now trade.

Costs & Timelines

• License fees: AED 30,000 and above, depending on activity.
• Crypto/forex brokerage: Usually AED 35,000–50,000 or more.
• Setup time: 4–12 months in DIFC or ADGM due to strict vetting.
• Advisory & support services: Faster (1–2 months) and less expensive in free zones such as IFZA or RAKEZ.

Reminders

1. Regulatory change – Forex and crypto, for instance, are heavily regulated, and legislations swing wildly.
2. Bank relationship – Some banks will not take brokerage or crypto accounts, and your partner therefore, must be chosen very carefully.
3. High level of compliance – Advanced AML, cybersecurity, and risk management have to be implemented.
4. Installation fees – Eliminating the high excess cost fees on the other firms seeking brokerage licenses.
5. Leading the curve, however, is where your Brokerage House keeps business moving at the right speed

How Taxtube Can Support

• Taxtube guides you through simple brokering through the following:
• Advisory on free zone and jurisdiction.
• Compliance model, business plan, and policy development.
• Preparation of filing with DFSA, FSRA, VARA, or SCA.
• Funding institution opening an account for security.
• Ongoing renewal procedures, audits, and compliance.
• We do not only get your specialist obtain the license but ensure that you are compliant and operationally sound in the process.

Final Thoughts

UAE is a tax haven, plain and simple—it’s its global financial hub. When you operate a brokerage house, you gain access to one of the most secure and profitable share, forex, and cryptocurrency markets. Prosper brings DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, and Meydan, and provides founders with an option tailored to their strategy and prospects.

Compliance, banking, and licenses, all taken care of with Taxtube, with the brains to know how things get done around here. You’ve got a business plan and want to set up a brokerage house in the UAE? Taxtube will take it with you and assist in building a future-proof finance company.