Regulation

Is AvaTrade Regulated in the UAE? FSRA Licence Explained

BrokrRank Editorial Team
4 min read

Yes. AvaTrade is licensed in Abu Dhabi by the ADGM FSRA through Ava Trade Middle East Limited (FSP 190018). What it covers and how to check.

Yes. AvaTrade is licensed in the UAE by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) through Ava Trade Middle East Limited, reference FSP 190018. The firm is based in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a financial free zone with its own regulator.

Key Facts About AvaTrade UAE Regulation

MetricDetail
RegulatorFinancial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)
Licensed entityAva Trade Middle East Limited
ReferenceFSP 190018
Licence date6 February 2020
Legal statusA company incorporated in ADGM
Permitted activitiesDealing in Investments as Principal, limited to acting as a matched principal
Retail clientsThe FSRA granted the licence with additional conditions on offering OTC derivatives to Retail Clients
Where to verifyADGM FSRA public register

What Does AvaTrade's UAE Licence Allow?

According to the ADGM FSRA public register, Ava Trade Middle East Limited holds these permissions: Dealing in Investments as Principal, limited to acting as a matched principal. The FSRA granted the licence with additional conditions on offering OTC derivatives to Retail Clients. The register does not publish the full text of those conditions, so ask AvaTrade which products are available to you as a retail client.

"Matched principal" means the firm offsets each client trade with another counterparty at the same time, instead of holding the opposite position on its own books.

Which AvaTrade Entity Will You Sign Up With?

AvaTrade is part of a group with entities in several countries. Holding a UAE licence does not guarantee that every UAE resident is onboarded to the UAE entity. Before you deposit, check the company name in your client agreement. If it names Ava Trade Middle East Limited, your account falls under the FSRA. If it names an entity in another country, that country's regulator applies instead.

How Can You Check AvaTrade's Licence Yourself?

  1. Open the ADGM FSRA public register.
  2. Confirm the firm name is Ava Trade Middle East Limited and the reference is FSP 190018.
  3. Check the permitted activities match what you plan to do, such as trading CFDs.
  4. Make sure the website and app you use link to this entity, since regulators regularly warn about clone sites that copy licensed firms' details.

For the full assessment of costs, platforms and safety read our AvaTrade review.

Where Can You Trade?

These assets are available as CFDs on the regulated brokers below. Capital at risk.

What Are the Key Takeaways?

AvaTrade holds a UAE licence from the FSRA through Ava Trade Middle East Limited (ref. FSP 190018).

The FSRA granted the licence with additional conditions on offering OTC derivatives to Retail Clients.

Check the entity named in your client agreement, because UAE protections only apply if you are onboarded to the UAE entity.

Verify the licence on the ADGM FSRA public register rather than relying on the broker's website.

CFDs are complex instruments and most retail accounts lose money; AvaTrade's own figure is shown on our review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AvaTrade regulated in the UAE?
Yes. AvaTrade is licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) through Ava Trade Middle East Limited, reference FSP 190018.
Is AvaTrade safe for UAE traders?
AvaTrade holds a UAE licence, which means it is supervised by a UAE regulator. Safety also depends on which entity you are onboarded to, so check that your client agreement names Ava Trade Middle East Limited. Trading CFDs is high risk whichever broker you use.
How do I check AvaTrade's UAE licence?
Search the ADGM FSRA public register for Ava Trade Middle East Limited and confirm the reference FSP 190018 and the permitted activities.

Capital at risk. Trading in financial instruments carries a high level of risk to your capital. This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

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