The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a popular jurisdiction for forex & CFD brokers, and this includes some ECN brokers. As opposed to dealing desk brokers, ECN brokers do not take the other side of clients’ trades, but instead passes them directly on to an electronic communications network (ECN) where they are matched with orders from other financial institutions.
In the UAE, ECN forex brokers and other types of brokers can be regulated in a number of different ways. Most of these brokers are regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, although some may instead by regulated by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, or hold a license directly from the Central Bank of the UAE. To make the matter even more complicated, some brokers in the UAE are located in financial free zones where separate rules apply regarding their regulatory status.