SCA - Securities and Commodities Authority

What is the SCA?

The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) is a federal agency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), established under Federal Decree No. (4) of 2000 by the late President Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It is a government body that operates independently in terms of finance and administration, led by a Chief Executive Officer and a Chairman of the Board of Directors, both appointed by the UAE President. The SCA’s primary role is to supervise, regulate, and ensure transparency in the country’s financial markets, including the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

How does the SCA regulate Forex brokers?

To be authorized as a Forex broker in the UAE, firms must hold a Type 1 Securities License, with an additional activity approval for “Brokerage in Over-the-Counter (OTC) Derivatives and Currencies in the Spot Market (FOREX).”

How to verify if a broker is regulated by the SCA?

Investors can verify a broker’s license status directly on the official SCA website. The information is publicly available in the “Brokers” section and should be cross-checked against the details provided on the broker’s own website.

Steps to check:

1. Obtain the exact legal name of the broker from their official website.

2. Visit the SCA’s official list of licensed brokers here: SCA Broker List
and confirm whether the broker appears on the list.

How to resolve disputes with an SCA-regulated broker?

If a dispute arises with an SCA-regulated broker, investors can file a complaint through:

• Online submission: SCA Complaints Portal
• Email: complaints_section@sca.ae