Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Who Should Start This Business
This licence suits financial-auxiliary service providers, capital-markets operators, and international firms entering the MENA region through a Dubai entity. If you run brokerage, advisory, custody, or fund-related services, this activity code is built for your profile.
Key Benefits of Meydan Free Zone
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone gives you 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation. The fully digital licensing process makes it one of the fastest and most cost-effective routes into the Dubai financial services market.
What Activity Code 6612.88 Actually Covers
This code covers the core delivery of licensed trading in global markets services to retail, corporate, or institutional clients. It also includes regulated compliance obligations, client onboarding, back-office operations, and regional market reach across Dubai and the wider UAE.
Understand the Regulatory Oversight Involved
Businesses under this activity operate within a framework overseen by the Securities and Commodities Authority and the Central Bank of the UAE. That clear regulatory structure provides both credibility and a defined compliance path for operators.
Know What This Licence Does Not Cover
Activities such as dealing in markets on own account on a fee or contract basis fall under separate activity codes and are not included here. If your service is related but distinct, you will need to identify and apply for the correct separate licence.
Third-Party Approval Is Required Before Licensing
Your operational model, facility setup, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority before your trade licence is issued. Factor this approval step into your setup timeline from the start.
AML Compliance Status for This Activity
This specific business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements under the current framework. Always verify the latest regulatory position with your licensing adviser, as requirements can evolve.
How to Start a Trading in Global Markets Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed trading in global markets business serves the UAE's financial-auxiliary and capital-markets services market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed trading in global markets businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from SCA and Central Bank of the UAE oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of capital-markets infrastructure, cross-border flows, and a growing fund sector is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned capital markets and financial services as strategic pillars under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for auxiliary activities.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Financial-auxiliary service providers | Businesses providing brokerage, advisory, custody, administration, or related services to financial-market participants. |
| Capital-markets and fund operators | Teams running or supporting securities, commodities, derivatives, fund, or wealth-management activities. |
| International financial firms entering MENA | Global financial groups establishing a Dubai entity for regional brokerage, advisory, and auxiliary services. |
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai financial services market.
6612.88 - Trading in Global Markets
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed trading in global markets business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Trading in Global Markets core services provided to clients under the activity code. |
| Regulated Delivery | Compliance-led. Services delivered under the relevant regulatory framework, standards, and reporting obligations. |
| Client Engagement | Commercial scope. Onboarding, contracting, and ongoing service delivery to retail, corporate, or institutional clients as applicable. |
| Support and Operations | Operational back-office. Systems, staffing, documentation, and operational support needed to run the licensed activity. |
| Regional Reach | Market coverage. Delivery to clients across Dubai, the wider UAE, and regional markets within the scope of this activity. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as dealing in markets on own account management, on a fee or contract basis fall under separate codes.
Other related but distinct services are classified under their own activity codes and not under this one.
In short: if you are operating a licensed trading in global markets business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
This business activity requires third-party approval before the trade licence is issued. In practice, your operational model, facility, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority before licensing.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
