IG is reinforcing its physical presence in Dubai at a time when many brokers are shifting to an online-only model, according to Sharaz Hussain, the broker's MENA CEO. Based in IG's local Dubai office, Hussain said that people still visit the premises in person, sometimes even mistaking the broker for social media platform Instagram, but most visitors want to verify the firm's local presence or submit applications.
Hussain revealed that IG plans to launch "a new app later this year", suggesting an ambition to develop into a broader financial super app. The initiative comes as the broker deepens its operations in the Middle East and North Africa, with Dubai serving as a central hub for its regional strategy.
Dubai as Strategic Hub
IG established its office in Dubai's free zone in 2015, using it as its regional headquarters. The firm operates within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and employs about 25 staff. Hussain stressed that "Dubai is our strategic hub; it's not a branch office," noting that the location provides access to a large customer and investor base.
Financial results for the London-listed broker showed that Dubai generated £28.7 million in net trading revenue in the year ended 31 May 2025, up from £18.9 million in the previous fiscal year. The expansion of the Dubai operation contributed to a 5 per cent increase in trading volume in IG's APAC & Middle East division during the 2025 calendar year.
Operational Resilience and Record Volumes
Operations from the Dubai hub were tested during a recent attack from Iran on UAE infrastructure. Hussain described it as "an unprecedented time" for the firm. Over the two weeks leading up to his comments, IG's Dubai office remained fully operational. However, for the first three or four weeks after the incident, the company adhered closely to government guidance, implementing remote working and advising staff to be cautious while remaining within the UAE.
Despite these challenges, trading activity surged. "This March was an all-time record in terms of volumes for IG here regionally," Hussain said, highlighting strong client interest across a large number of products, with significant trading in gold and oil.
Regulation, Client Base and Product Expansion
Although IG has been present in the UAE for more than a decade, it continues to operate from a free zone rather than as a mainland company. Hussain said that customers feel "very safe and secure under DIFC law," which he described as well established and aligned with IG's brand. The structure allows IG to offer institutional, retail and professional products from Dubai, which he sees as an advantage.
According to Hussain, free zone company regulations provide more protection for retail traders than mainland rules, and obtaining a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) licence is "incredibly difficult," with not every firm likely to qualify. He linked the growing influx of brokers into the UAE to a "major demographic shift" over the past two or three years, describing the region as aspirational and high-tech and increasingly populated by "savvy millennials and aspirational traders."
While contracts for difference (CFDs) remain IG's primary offering, the broker is expanding its product base. It previously acquired crypto exchange Independent Reserve and now plans to launch crypto products in the UAE. Hussain said that MENA, and particularly the UAE, is leading in crypto adoption, adding that the UAE ranks first in the region and around fifth globally.
