Bridging Global Finance and Regional Demand in the UAE

With a strategic foothold in the UAE, global financial players are tailoring platforms, Sharia-compliant solutions, and tech-driven experiences to meet the region’s evolving trading demands.

Exclusive interview with Pavel Spirin, CEO, Scope Markets

Scope Markets is planning to expand into the UAE. What strategic importance does this region hold for your global operations?

The UAE plays a key role in our global strategy. While the population may be relatively small at around 10 million, the country is a gateway into the wider MENA region, where we see strong and growing demand for financial services. We’ve already received provisional approval from the Securities and Commodities Authority and are in the final stages of securing our full license. This market allows us to bring decision-making closer to our regional clients and establish a meaningful presence in a fast-growing financial hub.

How is Scope Markets differentiating itself in the highly competitive UAE financial services and trading space?

We’re focused on building products and experiences that genuinely reflect what clients here want. That means offering Sharia-compliant and swap-free account options, streamlining transactions to ensure instant deposits and withdrawals, and optimizing our platforms for mobile use. We’re also committed to being fully licensed and regulated in the UAE, which we believe is essential for building trust. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a responsive and tech-forward experience tailored to the unique needs of traders in this region.

What has been your experience working within the UAE’s regulatory frameworks, and how do you view the country’s role as a global financial hub?

Our experience with the Securities and Commodities Authority has been very constructive. The regulatory process is clear and well-structured, which gives firms like ours confidence in long-term planning. We’re currently finalizing our licensing and taking the required regulatory exams. What stands out to us is how fast the UAE has developed its financial infrastructure. It’s building frameworks for crypto, fintech, and online trading at a pace we haven’t seen elsewhere, and that positions the country as an increasingly important global financial center.

How are you tailoring your offerings, platforms, or services to better serve traders and investors in the UAE and the wider GCC region?

We’re building out our product range and services to reflect the regional demand for asset classes like gold, along with culturally aligned features such as Sharia-compliant accounts. We’ve also seen that mobile-first experiences, fast execution, and automation are priorities for traders here, so those are central to our platform development. On the service side, we’re looking to establish regional support functions to make sure our clients in the UAE and GCC are well served and engaged.

What major trends do you see shaping the future of online trading and fintech in the Middle East, and how is Scope Markets positioned to respond to them?

We’re seeing rapid growth in mobile-first fintech adoption, a strong push for automation, and increased regulatory clarity in areas like crypto. Traders are becoming more sophisticated and expect seamless user experiences, fast payments, and localized features. There’s also strong interest in diversification, particularly in gold, which continues to attract attention due to global uncertainty. We’re positioning ourselves to meet these needs through tech development, regulatory compliance, and regional product adaptation so we can evolve with the market.

What message would you like to share with your UAE-based clients and stakeholders about Scope Markets’ long-term plans in this market?

We’re here for the long term. We’re committed to being fully licensed, transparent, and responsive to the needs of traders in the UAE. This includes delivering regionally relevant products, building local infrastructure, and continuing to invest in the tools and technology that matter to our clients. Our aim is to support traders with a platform that’s reliable, compliant, and built around how people in this market want to trade.