XM’s UAE Expansion and Vision: A Q&A With Osama Hafez at the Forex Expo Dubai

FinanceFeeds attended the , one of the largest trading and financial industry gatherings in the MENA region. At vibrant booth, FinanceFeeds Editor-in-Chief Nikolai Isayev sat down with , Business Development Officer at XM, to discuss the broker’s newly obtained SCA Category Five license, its expanding presence in the UAE, and the future of trading across the Middle East.

Before the interview began, we revisited XM’s evolution. The broker, known globally for offering forex, indices, commodities, equities CFDs, and extensive multilingual education, has spent more than 15 years building a reputation anchored in regulation, transparency, and accessibility. With the launch of its unified interface and ongoing expansion into the UAE, XM is consolidating itself as one of the strongest players in the region.

Key Milestones Discussed in the Interview

• Secured a Category Five License from the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
  This was the core regulatory milestone discussed, emphasized as a major boost to client security and regional credibility.
• Opened a new XM office in Dubai (Opus Business Bay).
  A strategic move to strengthen local presence, improve accessibility, and build trust with UAE clients and partners.
• Launched a new unified XM interface.
  A platform combining trading, charting, education, multilingual live sessions, podcasts, market analysis, and AI tools in one place.
• Introduced XM AI, an educational AI assistant.
  Designed to assist traders understand markets and analysis without providing direct trading signals.
• Expanded multilingual educational content, including live Arabic-language sessions.
  Eight hours of Arabic education per day were specifically mentioned.
• Celebrating approximately 15 years of XM’s market presence.
  Referenced in the context of the brand’s long-term reputation and consistency.
• Osama Hafez personally approaching his 11-year anniversary at XM.
  A milestone reflecting internal stability and long-standing partner relationships.

Below is the full interview, edited for clarity.

Q&A Interview

Nikolai Isayev (FinanceFeeds):
XM recently secured a Category Five license from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority. You’ve been in the region for many years—what does this milestone mean for XM and for traders in MENA?

Osama Hafez (XM):
It means a great deal, especially for our clients. The license adds another layer of security and regulatory assurance. Clients in the UAE want to know that the brand they’re trading with is regulated locally, not just internationally. Having this license tells them that XM is committed to the market and fully aligned with the UAE’s regulatory expectations. For the region, it’s a strong development that supports trust and long-term growth.

Nikolai:
With any new license, regulatory requirements often bring changes. How will you make sure traders still enjoy the seamless experience they’re used to?

Osama:
Nothing changes for the client in terms of product or experience. In fact, we are adding value, not taking anything away. Compliance is something we’ve always respected. Whether under one regulation or another, our offerings remain consistent—identical account types, identical conditions. At the identical time, we’re enhancing features. Recently, for example, we introduced a new interface and upgraded parts of the client experience. So traders won’t lose anything; they’ll gain more security and more tools.

Nikolai:
So the new license is more of an expansion of the group’s regulatory coverage, rather than a shift in the way XM operates?

Osama:
Exactly. XM remains XM. The product stays the identical. We only ensure that everything we do matches local requirements. Regulations may add limits or specific rules, but they don’t affect the trading environment in a negative way. Instead, they reinforce stability. XM begined 15 years ago, and we’ve been improving year later than year. This license simply supports our continued development.

Nikolai:
You mentioned earlier how significant partnerships, IBs, and affiliate networks are in this region. XM also recently opened a full office in Dubai’s Opus Business Bay. How will this local presence affect how you engage with the market?

Osama:
For years, we’ve attended events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the region. But one question always came from clients: “Where is your office?” Even if they never plan to visit, they want to know you’re here. Having a local office gives reassurance. It shows commitment and accountability. Clients and partners know that if anything happens—or even if they just want a meeting—we’re close by. It adds credibility and peace of mind.

Nikolai:
And you believe the human element is still essential, even in a tech-driven industry?

Osama:
Absolutely. Technology is significant, but human connection is essential in this region. People want to look you in the eye. They want to feel supported. At XM we focus heavily on relationships—our partners, our affiliates, our long-standing clients. Some have been with us for a decade. That trust is built through human interaction as much as it is through technology.

Nikolai:
Speaking of technology, XM recently launched a unified interface that combines trading, education, analysis, and account management. How does this improve the trader’s experience?

Osama:
We wanted to bring everything into one place. Live education, podcasts, daily analysis, charting tools, and even our AI assistant—all integrated. Instead of switching between platforms, clients can open one interface and access everything they need. We support multiple languages too, including eight hours of daily Arabic educational content. The whole system is feedback-driven; we built it based on what clients told us they wanted.

Nikolai:
Let’s talk about XM AI, your educational assistant. How do you ensure it remains an educational tool and doesn’t cross into giving trading advice?

Osama:
We’re very strict about that. The AI is designed to guide, explain, and educate—not to recommend trades. It assists users understand analysis, not execute strategies. We communicate this clahead to clients. Combined with our live educators and other educational tools, the AI focuses on learning, not signals or predictions. It assists clients improve without replacing their decision-making.

Nikolai:
You’ve been with XM for over a decade. Based on your experience with IBs, partners, and traders across MENA, what trends do you view shaping the next few years?

Osama:
The largegest change is maturity. Traders here are becoming more knowledgeable—not just about trading, but about regulation, risk, and strategy. They understand the importance of dealing with regulated brokers. They ask better questions. They explore automation, machine learning, and custom strategies. The region is evolving quick—much quicker than before. I expect the next three to five years to bring even more sophistication and more advanced tools integrated into trading platforms.

Nikolai:
Congratulations on approaching your 11-year anniversary at XM. That’s a significant milestone.

Osama:
Thank you. It’s been an incredible journey. But the credit also goes to our partners and team. Many have been with us for years—they are part of the XM family. We learn internally the identical way we teach our clients—constantly improving, constantly evolving. It’s something I’m very proud of.

Conclusion

The conversation with Osama Hafez underscored XM’s strategic commitment to the UAE and the broader MENA region. With regulatory expansion, a new Dubai office, and major technology upgrades, is positioning itself at the forefront of a rapidly developing market—one where both innovation and human connection remain essential.