GTC Financial Consultancy LLC has received a Category 1 licence from the UAE Capital Market Authority, authorising it to broker over-the-counter derivatives and currencies in the spot market.

London's trading industry is coming home!

The licence also permits the company to act as a trading broker in international markets. The authorisation provides a locally regulated framework for GTC's operations in the United Arab Emirates.

The licence follows GTC's investment in its UAE operations. In July last year, GTC began construction of GTC Tower, its regional headquarters in Dubai. The company offers trading services across forex, commodities, indices, shares and energy products. The building is intended to serve as its main regional office.

GTC said the licence supports its plans to expand its presence in the UAE and develop its locally regulated operations. It described the authorisation as part of its broader approach to establishing long-term operations in the country.

GTC CEO Highlights Local Regulation

Charbel Raffoul, Chief Executive Officer of GTC Financial Consultancy LLC, said local regulation was central to building trust with clients in the UAE.

"Our clients here can now trade with a firm supervised at home, by the UAE's own regulator, and served by a team based right here," Raffoul said.

He added that the licence carried responsibilities covering pricing transparency, risk management and client treatment.

"For us, a license is a promise: transparency in how we price, discipline in how we manage risk, and accountability in how we treat every client," he said.

Raffoul also described the UAE as the company's home market and said GTC would continue investing in local staff, technology and investor education.

GTCFX Previously Expanded into Thailand

In September 2024, GTCFX opened an office in Thailand and appointed Mei Nongbua as its local Country Manager. Nongbua previously worked at NAGA and had more than 12 years of experience in fintech, with a focus on Asian markets. The opening added Thailand to GTCFX's international office network.