Financial News
5 Things to Consider when Choosing a Prime Broker to Maximize Your Investment Potential
 
																								
												
												
											Choosing the right broker may be essential to building your wealth but how do you know if your broker is the right one? Here is how HNWIs and institutional investors can ensure that they are using the right brokers.
By Tony Hallside, CEO, STP, a leading prime brokerage firm licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
In the fast-paced world of finance, institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) require a prime broker that can effectively support their investment strategies and help them navigate the complexities of the market. The choice of a prime broker is a critical decision, as it directly influences factors such as risk management, operational efficiency, and access to global markets. When evaluating potential partners, there are five key considerations that can significantly impact your investment success.
Service and Support:
The level of customer service and support provided by a prime broker is crucial for seamless operations and effective decision-making. Evaluating the responsiveness, accessibility, and expertise of the client servicing team is essential. A prime broker that prioritizes building strong relationships and understanding your unique requirements can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout your investment journey. Look for a partner that is committed to delivering exceptional service and prompt support to ensure a smooth and productive experience.
Customization and Flexibility:
Investment strategies and risk appetites vary greatly among institutional investors and HNWIs. It is essential to choose a prime broker that offers customization options to align with your specific needs. Tailored reporting, risk management tools, and financing solutions are critical components of a flexible prime brokerage service. By selecting a partner that can adapt their offerings to your unique investment objectives and risk tolerance, you can maximize the effectiveness of your strategies and achieve optimal results.
Technology and Digitization:
In today’s digital age, the integration of advanced technology is transforming the financial landscape. When selecting a prime broker, it is vital to assess their technological capabilities, including automation, artificial intelligence, and real-time monitoring and reporting. Leveraging technology can enhance efficiency, transparency, and control over portfolios. Look for a prime broker that embraces innovative solutions, as this can provide you with a competitive edge, streamline operations, and improve decision-making processes.
Regulatory Compliance:
Maintaining robust regulatory compliance frameworks is critical for protecting your investments and ensuring ethical practices. When considering a prime broker, it is imperative to assess their adherence to relevant regulations such as anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC), and data privacy. Choosing a partner with a strong commitment to compliance demonstrates their dedication to safeguarding your assets and operating with transparency and integrity. A prime broker that prioritizes compliance can help mitigate risks and protect your reputation in the industry.
Global Reach and Connectivity:
Access to a wide range of investment opportunities is essential for diversification and maximizing returns. Consider the prime broker’s global presence and connectivity to markets, exchanges, and liquidity providers. A robust network enables you to capitalize on emerging trends and seize opportunities across different regions. Partnering with a prime broker that has a strong global reach can provide you with the necessary connections and resources to navigate diverse markets and access a broader array of investment options.
Choosing the right prime broker is a crucial decision for institutional investors and HNWIs seeking to maximize their investment potential. By carefully considering the five key factors discussed – service and support, customization and flexibility, technology and digitization, regulatory compliance, and global reach and connectivity – investors can make an informed decision that aligns with their unique investment goals and risk appetite. A prime broker such as STP that excels in these areas can integrate advanced technology in its service delivery and serve as a trusted partner, empowering investors to navigate the complexities of the financial markets, capitalize on opportunities, and achieve long-term success.
Financial
MultiBank Group and Khabib Nurmagomedov Launch an Exclusive Worldwide Multi-Billion-Dollar Joint Venture to Build the World’s First Regulated Tokenized Sports Ecosystem
 
														
Multibank Group, the financial derivatives institution, has entered into an exclusive worldwide multi-billion-dollar joint venture with global sports icon and undefeated UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0) to create a first-of-its-kind regulated ecosystem connecting global finance, sports and technology.
The partnership will culminate in the creation of a multi-billion-dollar joint venture, MultiBank Khabib LLC, uniting two global powerhouses: MultiBank Group, a leader in regulated financial excellence, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, undefeated in the octagon and whose influence extends far beyond sport. The company will operate from MultiBank Group’s headquarters in Dubai, building a worldwide network of high-end sports ventures and real-world digital assets. This structure fulfills the vision of MultiBank Group Founder and Chairman, Naser Taher, for an exclusive global joint venture, granting MultiBank exclusive rights to develop and promote projects under the Khabib Nurmagomedov brand name, including the development of 30 state of the art Khabib gyms, Gameplan and Eagle FC brands.
The entire venture is backed by MultiBank Group’s regulated digital ecosystem and powered by its cornerstone $MBG Token being the driving force behind its expanding portfolio of real-world-asset (RWA) technologies and initiatives.
Naser Taher, Founder and Chairman of MultiBank Group, stated: “From the UAE, we are shaping a new blueprint for the business of sport through the regulated tokenization of real-world sports assets (RWSA). Together with Khabib Nurmagomedov, and powered by our ecosystem token, $MBG, we are uniting finance and athletics into a single transparent, technology-driven ecosystem — one built on trust, innovation, and the strength of the MultiBank framework. This initiative proudly aligns with the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for digital asset innovation and world-class sports.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov added: “This partnership with MultiBank Group is built on shared values of strength, respect, and discipline. Together with Multibank, we are building real global opportunities that go beyond sport, empowering athletes, and fans through a regulated and innovative digital ecosystem. This is only the beginning.”
Financial
Edenred UAE strengthens market leadership with financially inclusive payroll solutions, C3Pay serving 2.5 million users
 
														
Edenred, a leading digital platform for services and specific purpose payments and the undisputed market leader in salary processing and financial inclusion for the underbanked in the UAE, continues to reinforce its leading position in payroll card solutions, value-added financial services, and compliance-first innovation under the leadership of newly appointed Managing Director Claudio Di Zanni.
As the first company authorised by the Central Bank of the UAE to process WPS salaries, Edenred UAE has long positioned financial inclusion as the foundation of its offer in UAE — ensuring that access to financial services isn’t an added benefit, but a guaranteed outcome of getting paid.
Trusted by both large enterprises and a growing base of SMEs, the backbone of the UAE economy, Edenred UAE now serves more than 15,000 corporate clients, 2.5 million cardholders, and partners with over 10 banks and 20 financial institutions. Demand has been strong in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and facility management—where reliability and seamless execution are critical.
Edenred UAE salary cards, C3Pay, powered by RAKBANK and part of the Mastercard network, can be used globally. A key driver of Edenred’s adoption success is its unmatched expertise in on-site training at worker accommodations, which helps large enterprises efficiently onboard thousands of employees. This ensures that workers understand how to activate their cards, utilise app features, and engage with key financial tools.

Claudio Di Zanni, Managing Director, Edenred Middle East, said: “Edenred UAE has set the benchmark for payroll and financial access in the region with digital innovative solutions, great ambitions and internationally committed teams. Our ambition now is to extend that lead by deepening trust with our clients, scaling services that matter to end users, and ensuring full compliance in a fast-evolving regulatory landscape. With unmatched reach, an expanding client base, and a proven model for financial inclusion, we are ready to shape the next phase of the region’s salary card ecosystem — developing its full potential and contributing to giving workers who were previously excluded from the financial system a secure, transparent, and dignified way to manage their money.”
Edenred UAE remains the reference in payroll solutions, as it continues to scale high-impact services, deepen banking partnerships, and reinforce its role as the benchmark for secure, compliant, and ethical financial access in the UAE and beyond. With a sharpened focus on innovation and strengthened leadership, it is entering a new chapter of platform excellence as the backbone of financial access for the UAE’s workforce.
Financial
Dhruva urges UAE firms to focus on data sovereignty in e-Invoicing transition
 
														The 2026 mandate is an opportunity for businesses to align compliance with stronger data governance standards
With the UAE’s mandatory eInvoicing framework set to launch in 2026, Dhruva urges taxpayers to move beyond data residency considerations and focus on the critical issue of data sovereignty when selecting accredited service providers (ASPs). When adopting any cloud solution, it’s crucial to take the UAE National Cloud Security Policy into consideration, which provides a comprehensive checklist for cloud customers. This policy details necessary arrangements with cloud service providers, outlines contract requirements and sets cloud security requirements and enforcement measures.Dhruva is a leading tax advisory firm specializing in VAT, corporate tax, transfer pricing, and international taxation in the Middle East.
The eInvoicing rollout, based on the OpenPeppol five-corner model, will route all business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) invoices through ASPs that validate, exchange, and report tax-relevant data directly to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). This shift makes the question of where data lives and who ultimately controls it – a matter of legal, operational, and financial consequence.

Commenting on the development, Nimish Goel, Partner and Head of GCC, Dhruva Consultants, said: “Businesses cannot afford to mix data residency with sovereignty. Hosting tax data within UAE data centres is necessary, but it does not, by itself, guarantee compliance or protection. True sovereignty means that encryption keys, administrative controls, and audit logs remain fully under UAE jurisdiction and cannot be accessed by foreign authorities. For taxpayers, this distinction is not technical—it is a fundamental risk-management decision.”
Dhruva highlights that this distinction is becoming urgent for three reasons. First, the UAE has enacted a robust Federal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and sector-specific rules that demand explicit safeguards on cross-border data flows. Second, with eInvoicing deadlines approaching, taxpayers must evaluate how each provider’s hosting model aligns with UAE data hosting requirements, sovereignty and National Cloud Security Policy laws. Finally, the operational reality is that migrating data and applications between clouds is not seamless. Factors such as data gravity, proprietary platforms, and audit trail integrity make switching providers slow, risky, and expensive.
“E-invoicing will not only redefine how businesses transact with government authorities, but also how they safeguard their most sensitive tax and financial records,” Goel added. “Companies need to recognise that the choice of ASP is a long-term strategic decision. The location of the cloud operator, the jurisdiction under which they fall, and the location of their control plane and encryption keys all impact compliance and data security far more than the physical location of the server rack.”
Dhruva advises taxpayers to approach ASP selection with a structured due-diligence process aligned with the policy for cloud customers in the UAE. This policy covers key domains such as governance, data location and sovereignty, interoperability, security incident and access management, data confidentiality, architecture and infrastructure companies should ensure that all storage, backups, and logs are held within UAE borders, that operational control and key management remain in UAE jurisdiction, and that providers comply with the UAE’s Peppol interoperability standard. Audit logs should be immutable, recovery sites must be located in the country, and exit strategies need to be documented and tested, with transparency on egress costs.
“Taxpayers cannot treat this as a simple IT procurement,” Goel emphasized. “It is a compliance and sovereignty choice that will determine their risk exposure for years to come. The time to ask these questions is now—before companies find themselves locked into providers that may not meet their future regulatory and operational needs.”
- 
																	   Tech News1 year ago Tech News1 year agoDenodo Bolsters Executive Team by Hiring Christophe Culine as its Chief Revenue Officer 
- 
																	   VAR7 months ago VAR7 months agoMicrosoft Launches New Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business 
- 
																	   Tech Interviews2 years ago Tech Interviews2 years agoNavigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in Hybrid Work Environments 
- 
																	   Tech News3 months ago Tech News3 months agoNothing Launches flagship Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) in theme with the Iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai 
- 
																	   Tech News2 years ago Tech News2 years agoBrighton College Abu Dhabi and Brighton College Al Ain Donate 954 IT Devices in Support of ‘Donate Your Own Device’ Campaign 
- 
																	   Editorial11 months ago Editorial11 months agoCelebrating UAE National Day: A Legacy of Leadership and Technological Innovation 
- 
																	   VAR1 year ago VAR1 year agoSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Clash Of The Folding Phenoms 
- 
																	   Cover Story8 months ago Cover Story8 months agoUnifonic Leading the Future of AI-Driven Customer Engagement 

 Have a question? +971 56 404 0503
Have a question? +971 56 404 0503 
								  
								  
								  
								  
									 
 
											 
											 
											 
											 
											 
											