CME Group expands in Dubai, Middle East's new trading hub

CME Group, the world's leading derivatives marketplace, has expanded its global footprint by opening a new office in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This strategic move signals the company's commitment to strengthening its presence in the Middle East region. The new Dubai office will operate under a DFSA license and serve as CME Group's Middle East hub. Led by Sharif Jaghman, Head of Middle East and Africa, the office aims to provide enhanced services to institutional and retail markets in the region. Julie Winkler, Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the growing demand for broader trading access in the Middle East. The expansion reflects years of collaborative efforts with regional regulators and brokers, positioning CME Group to help clients manage risk and pursue opportunities across critical benchmark products. Salmaan Jaffery from DIFC Authority emphasized the significance of CME Group's presence, noting it underscores Dubai's strategic role as a global financial hub. The move is expected to strengthen connections across Middle East, African, and South Asian markets. As part of its regional commitment, CME Group recently listed the spot U.S. Dollar / United Arab Emirates Dirham currency pair, responding directly to client needs in the region. This expansion demonstrates the company's adaptability and forward-thinking approach to global financial markets. #FinancialServices #GlobalTrading #MiddleEastBusiness

In a significant move for the region's financial landscape, CME Group has officially established its first Middle East office at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This strategic expansion will enhance local access to CME Group's vast global derivatives and foreign exchange markets. The new office is poised to provide critical support for the region's rapidly expanding institutional and retail trading activity, reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading global financial hub. This development marks a major vote of confidence in the Middle East's growing role in the world economy and will provide market participants with deeper liquidity and more sophisticated risk management tools. #CMEGroup #DIFC #DubaiFinance #FinancialMarkets #ForeignExchange #Derivatives #EconomicGrowth #MiddleEastBusiness #CMEGroup #DIFC #Dubai #MiddleEast #Finance #FinancialMarkets #Derivatives #ForeignExchange #FX #Trading #Investing #RiskManagement

Preserving wealth during market volatility can feel daunting, but it becomes easier when you recognise volatility as part of the journey and manage it with foresight and discipline. From diversification and liquidity management to rebalancing and professional advice, there are clear, evidence-based strategies that help investors protect capital while staying aligned with long-term goals. Read our latest blog here:  https://lnkd.in/epiZi6Mj #WealthManagement #FinancialPlanning #UAEInvestors Blacktower Financial Management (DIFC) Limited is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) – Firm Reference No. F007438.

The latest Dickenson Weekly (Issue 102) highlights critical developments impacting Investor Relations and Annual Report teams across key markets. In the UK, HM Treasury’s Dematerialisation Taskforce signals a move toward fully digital securities registers, reshaping shareholder communication frameworks. India saw SEBI tighten the block-deal regime to reinforce insider-control governance, while the NSE mandated XBRL-based financial reporting for REITs and InvITs—demanding structured-data accuracy and enhanced compliance. The UAE Federal Tax Authority clarified REIT audit and tax-exemption conditions through Ministerial Decisions 84 and 96, requiring updates to Tax Notes and auditor scopes. Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority initiated consultation on simplified investment funds, potentially broadening the domestic institutional base, while Qatar reported no regulatory changes. Collectively, these reforms mark an accelerated transition toward data-driven, transparent and digitally aligned corporate reporting regimes. Link ----> https://lnkd.in/db9vPevF #InvestorRelations #AnnualReporting #SEBI #NSE #Dematerialisation #UKMarkets #CorporateGovernance #XBRL #REIT #UAE #CMA #SaudiArabia #RegulatoryUpdate #FinancialDisclosure #CapitalMarkets #DickensonWorld #IRO #ESGReporting #CorporateReporting #Compliance

Bahrain Bourse sees active trading The Bahrain Bourse saw an active day of trading yesterday, with the Bahrain All Share Index closing higher at 1,943.21, marking a rise of 6.17 points. Meanwhile, the Bahrain Islamic Index also increased by 5.76 points, ending the day at 917.45. A total of 2.04 million shares were traded, with a total value of BD637,860. These transactions were completed through 75 separate deals. The financial sector was the most active, accounting for 41.02pc of the total trading value, with 1.26m shares traded for a value of BD261,670. GFH Financial Group was the top company in terms of trading value, with its shares accounting for 26.87pc of the total, valued at BD171,420. BMMI came in second, with a trading value of BD137,760, representing 21.60pc of the total. Beyon was third, with its shares valued at BD105,710, or 16.57pc of the total trading value. Read: https://lnkd.in/eW_4mV9r

Bahrain Bourse sees active trading The Bahrain Bourse saw an active day of trading yesterday, with the Bahrain All Share Index closing higher at 1,943.21, marking a rise of 6.17 points. Meanwhile, the Bahrain Islamic Index also increased by 5.76 points, ending the day at 917.45. A total of 2.04 million shares were traded, with a total value of BD637,860. These transactions were completed through 75 separate deals. The financial sector was the most active, accounting for 41.02pc of the total trading value, with 1.26m shares traded for a value of BD261,670. GFH Financial Group was the top company in terms of trading value, with its shares accounting for 26.87pc of the total, valued at BD171,420. BMMI came in second, with a trading value of BD137,760, representing 21.60pc of the total. Beyon was third, with its shares valued at BD105,710, or 16.57pc of the total trading value. Read: https://lnkd.in/euYtRKDR

In the UK, HM Treasury’s Dematerialisation Taskforce signals a move toward fully digital securities registers, reshaping shareholder communication frameworks. India saw SEBI tighten the block-deal regime to reinforce insider-control governance, while the NSE mandated XBRL-based financial reporting for REITs and InvITs—demanding structured-data accuracy and enhanced compliance. The UAE Federal Tax Authority clarified REIT audit and tax-exemption conditions through Ministerial Decisions 84 and 96, requiring updates to Tax Notes and auditor scopes. Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority initiated consultation on simplified investment funds, potentially broadening the domestic institutional base, while Qatar reported no regulatory changes. Collectively, these reforms mark an accelerated transition toward data-driven, transparent and digitally aligned corporate reporting regimes. Link --> https://lnkd.in/dkQvZkwx #InvestorRelations #AnnualReporting #SEBI #NSE #Dematerialisation #UKMarkets #CorporateGovernance #XBRL #REIT #UAE #CMA #SaudiArabia #RegulatoryUpdate #FinancialDisclosure #CapitalMarkets #DickensonWorld #IRO #ESGReporting #CorporateReporting #Compliance

As banks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are being encouraged by their respective regulators to take a more rigorous approach to booking and disclosing NPLs, new investment opportunities are opening up to global investor. Read more from our Capital Markets team here: https://ow.ly/nzmW50X6Ypu #WhiteCase #NPL #CapitalMarkets #MiddleEast

As banks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are being encouraged by their respective regulators to take a more rigorous approach to booking and disclosing NPLs, new investment opportunities are opening up to global investor. Read more from our Capital Markets team here: https://whcs.law/428ah34 #WhiteCase #NPL #CapitalMarkets #MiddleEast