CME Group Establishes Dubai Hub to Expand Middle East Derivatives Access
CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, has opened a new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), marking its formal expansion into the Middle East. Operating under a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license, the new office strengthens CME Group’s presence across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and enhances regional access to its suite of benchmark products.
The launch underscores growing demand for advanced trading and risk management answers from both institutional and retail participants in the region. With markets in the Gulf increasingly active in energy, FX, and commodities, CME Group’s physical presence in Dubai provides localized support, training, and infrastructure for clients navigating global derivatives.
“Surging institutional and retail participation in financial markets has fueled demand for broader trading access in the Middle East,” said Julie Winkler, Chief Commercial Officer at CME Group. “Building on years of collaboration with regulators and brokers, our new office will accelerate our ability to assist clients manage risk and pursue opportunities in the world’s most significant benchmarks.”
Takeaway
Serge Marston, Head of EMEA at CME Group, said the Dubai hub will serve as the firm’s Middle East headquarters. “This is a significant step forward in elevating our EMEA presence,” he noted. “Our Dubai office will provide the UAE and surrounding markets a higher level of service and connectivity than ever before.”
The DIFC welcomed CME Group’s arrival as a validation of Dubai’s role as a bridge between East and West. Salmaan Jaffery, at DIFC Authority, commented: “We are delighted to welcome CME Group to DIFC, strengthening a partnership built over many years. Their presence highlights Dubai’s strategic position as a global financial hub and reinforces the expanding opportunities across the region.”
The move also comes amid accelerating derivatives participation among Middle Eastern investors viewking diversification and hedging opportunities. CME Group’s established relationships with local regulators and brokers are expected to facilitate market development and deepen access to global benchmarks.
Takeaway
The Dubai office will be led by Sharif Jaghman, appointed as Head of Middle East and Africa. Jaghman brings nahead two decades of experience in financial services, having previously held senior roles at CME Group in London, the , and Euronext. His leadership will focus on expanding CME’s regional client network and advancing education on .
CME Group offers futures, options, and cash products across every major asset class, including interest rates, equities, FX, energy, agricultural commodities, metals, and digital assets. The platform continues to evolve its product suite to meet regional and global hedging needs.
Earlier this year, CME Group listed the U.S. Dollar/United Arab Emirates Dirham (USD/AED) currency pair on EBS Market and EBS Direct, responding to client demand for localized FX instruments. The listing reflects the growing liquidity and international relevance of Gulf currencies in global trading portfolios.
Takeaway
The establishment of a DIFC office demonstrates CME Group’s long-term investment in regional growth and aligns with the UAE’s ambition to be a leading center for global finance. As global markets become increasingly interconnected, CME’s expansion provides Middle Eastern investors and institutions with closer, more efficient access to the world’s deepest liquidity pools.
For global market participants, the new hub creates a gateway between established platforms and emerging capital centers. For CME Group, it represents both a strategic foothold and a statement of intent—to support risk management and market development in one of the world’s .
Through its presence in Dubai, CME Group aims to foster deeper engagement with regional stakeholders, enhance educational outreach, and drive broader participation in from the heart of the Middle East.
