CME Group Establishes Middle East Hub with Dubai Office Launch in DIFC

CME Group has announced the opening of its new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), marking the company’s official expansion into the Middle East. Operating under a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license, the move establishes CME Group’s first physical presence in the region and reflects its commitment to serving institutional and retail clients across the Middle East and Africa.

“Surging institutional and retail participation in financial markets has fueled demand for broader trading access in the Middle East,”
Julie Winkler, Chief Commercial Officer at CME Group

Winkler added that the new office builds on years of collaboration with regional regulators and brokers, enabling CME Group to help clients “manage risk and pursue opportunities in some of the world’s most important benchmark products.”

“This is a significant step forward in elevating our EMEA presence for our clients,”
Serge Marston, Head of EMEA, CME Group

Marston said the Dubai office will serve as CME Group’s Middle East hub, offering enhanced local support to clients across the UAE and surrounding markets.

“We are delighted to welcome CME Group to DIFC, strengthening a relationship we have built over many years,”
Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer, DIFC Authority

Jaffery added that CME Group’s presence at DIFC “underscores Dubai’s strategic role as a global financial hub and the growing opportunities in the region.”

The new office will be led by Sharif Jaghman, Head of Middle East and Africa, who has nearly two decades of experience in financial services. Jaghman was previously based in London with CME Group and has held senior roles at the New York Stock Exchange and Euronext.

CME Group provides listed futures, options and cash markets across major asset classes including interest rates, equities, FX, energy, agricultural, metals and cryptocurrency products. Earlier this year, the exchange group listed the USD/AED spot currency pair on its EBS Market and EBS Direct platforms in response to growing regional demand. 

For more information on the CME's  Middle East office visit: https://www.cmegroup.com/content/cmegroup/ar.html

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