CME Group Expands Global Reach with New Dubai Office

CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, has officially entered the Middle East with the launch of its new office in Dubai. The expansion marks a significant step in the company’s global growth strategy, aimed at serving the region’s fast-rising appetite for sophisticated financial products.

Located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the new office will operate under a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) licence, allowing CME Group to serve both institutional and retail clients across the region. The firm will offer access to its broad range of products — including futures, options, and cash markets — spanning asset classes such as interest rates, equities, foreign exchange (FX), energy, agriculture, metals, and cryptocurrencies.

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The Middle East has witnessed a surge in financial market activity in recent years, driven by strong economic diversification efforts and increasing participation from both professional and retail investors. CME Group’s presence in Dubai aims to support this momentum by providing direct market access, education, and regulatory collaboration tailored to regional needs.

The Dubai office will also serve as the company’s Middle East hub, strengthening its position within the EMEA region and enabling closer engagement with clients in the UAE and surrounding markets.

Sharif Jaghman, Director and Head of Middle East and Africa at CME Group, will lead the new UAE office. With more than 17 years of industry experience, Jaghman previously oversaw strategic growth initiatives across EMEA and has held senior roles at the New York Stock Exchange Technologies (NYSET) and Euronext.

As part of its commitment to the region, CME Group has also announced plans to list the spot U.S. Dollar/United Arab Emirates Dirham (USD/AED) on EBS Market and EBS Direct starting June 30, 2025 — a move designed to cater to rising client demand for FX liquidity between the two currencies.

CME Group’s arrival in Dubai further cements the emirate’s status as a leading global financial hub, offering investors greater connectivity, market access, and innovation opportunities across the Middle East and beyond.