UAE drafts first dedicated prop trading licensing regime

The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority has begun circulating a consultation draft for a dedicated proprietary trading firm license, the first of its kind in the GCC.

The proposed regime separates challenge-based operators from traditional prop desks, imposing distinct capital adequacy, marketing, and payout-segregation requirements on the former.

Industry response so far has been cautiously positive. Several large operators with Dubai entities have indicated they will participate in the consultation window, which closes in late June.