Brokers With AED Accounts
Brokers with AED accounts allow traders to manage their portfolios with the UAE Dirham as the base currency. They are popular with local investors as well as active forex traders. This guide will cover the benefits of AED accounts, touch on the history of the currency and list the top supporting brokers.
Brokers With AED Accounts
These are the 6 best brokers that offer accounts with AED as the base currency:
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
- Dukascopy - Established in 2004, Dukascopy Bank SA is a Swiss online bank and brokerage providing short-term trading opportunities on 1,200+ instruments, including binaries. A choice of accounts (JForex, MT4/5, Binary Options) and sophisticated platforms (JForex, MT4/MT5) deliver powerful tools and market data for active traders.
- Exness - Established in 2008, Exness has maintained its position as a highly respected broker, standing out with its industry-leading range of 40+ account currencies, growing selection of CFD instruments, and intuitive web platform complete with useful extras like currency convertors and trading calculators.
- OKX - OKX is a respected cryptocurrency firm, established in 2017, that offers a large suite of products, from mining pools to NFTs. Traders can access over 400 crypto tokens via OTC trading and derivatives. With an excellent web platform, developer tools and dynamic charts, OKX is a popular choice for technical traders.
- JustMarkets - JustMarkets is a multi-asset broker with both CySEC-regulated and offshore branches. Offering ultra-low spreads, copy-trading services, 170+ tradeable instruments and MetaTrader support, JustMarkets has a lot to offer both beginner and experienced traders.
- Swissquote - Established in 1996, Swissquote is a Switzerland-based bank and broker that offers online trading on an industry beating three million products, from forex and CFDs to futures, options and bonds. Highly trusted, it has built a strong reputation through innovative trading solutions, from becoming the first bank to offer crypto trading in 2017 to more recently launching fractional shares and its Invest Easy service.
Brokers With AED Accounts Comparison
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Instruments | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower |
| Dukascopy | $100 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds, Binary Options | JForex, MT4, MT5 |
| Exness | $10 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
| OKX | 10 USDT | Spot, futures, perpetual swaps, options | AlgoTrader, Quantower |
| JustMarkets | $1 | Forex, CFDs, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies, futures | MT4, MT5 |
| Swissquote | $1,000 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Bonds, Options, Futures, ETFs, Crypto (location dependent) | CFXD, MT4, MT5, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | $100 |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.
- The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.
- IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.
Cons
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
- Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
Dukascopy
"If you’re an experienced trader, Dukascopy provides the tools you need: JForex for algorithmic strategies, competitive spreads from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200, and the peace of mind of using a Swiss-regulated bank and broker."
Dukascopy Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 10% Equity Bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds, Binary Options |
| Regulator | FINMA, JFSA, FCMC |
| Platforms | JForex, MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:200 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, MXN |
Pros
- Dukascopy offers tight spreads starting from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200 (depending on the jurisdiction), and volume-based commissions that reward high-frequency traders.
- Dukascopy is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as both a broker and a bank, ensuring top-tier financial security and adherence to strict standards.
- Dukascopy features some of the best research we’ve seen, even a professional TV studio in Geneva covering financial news, market analysis, and daily insights from professionals.
Cons
- Some account types, such as the MT4/MT5 accounts, require a higher minimum deposit of $1,000, which may not be ideal for traders with smaller budgets.
- While JForex is feature-rich, it has a steep learning curve, making it less suitable for beginner traders who might prefer simpler platforms.
- Dukascopy's withdrawal fees are higher than most competitors we’ve tested, particularly for bank wire transfers, which may deter traders who require frequent access to their funds.
Exness
"After slashing its spreads, improving its execution speeds and support trading on over 100 currency pairs with more than 40 account currencies to choose from, Exness is a fantastic option for active forex traders looking to minimize trading costs."
Exness Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Regulator | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC, JSC |
| Platforms | Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:Unlimited |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY |
Pros
- Exness Terminal offers a streamlined experience for beginners with dynamic charts while setting up watchlists is a breeze.
- Exness was the first brokerage to pass the $1 trillion and $2 trillion marks in monthly trading volumes, highlighting its legitimacy.
- Fast and dependable 24/7 multilingual customer support via telephone, email and live chat based on hands-on tests.
Cons
- Retail trading services are unavailable in certain jurisdictions, such as the US and the UK, limiting accessibility compared to top-tier brokers like Interactive Brokers.
- Apart from a mediocre blog, educational resources are woeful, especially compared to category leaders like IG which provide a more complete trading journey for newer traders.
- Exness has expanded its range of CFDs and added a copy trading feature, but there are still no real assets such as ETFs, cryptocurrencies or bonds
OKX
"OKX is a top pick for crypto traders looking for emerging coins and crypto projects to invest in. Traders can also make use of the broker's copy trading service and automated bots."
OKX Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $10 in BTC |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Spot, futures, perpetual swaps, options |
| Regulator | VARA |
| Platforms | AlgoTrader, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | 10 USDT |
| Minimum Trade | Variable |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, INR, JPY, SGD, RUB, AED, SAR |
Pros
- Traders can access historical market data for spot and futures combining OHLC data, aggregate trades and trading history
- Active traders can expect competitive maker and taker fees, from 0.02% and 0.05%, respectively
- Crypto staking and pools are available with competitive mining fees from 2%
Cons
- The broker's platform and features may be complex for novices
- The quality of customer support was inconsistent based on testing
- The firm offers limited regulatory oversight, though this is common among crypto brokers
JustMarkets
"With some of the most affordable pricing in the game and access to the powerful MT4 and MT5 platforms, JustMarkets is a good choice for any investor."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
JustMarkets Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies, futures |
| Regulator | CySEC, FSA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:3000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR, MYR, IDR, AED, NGN, THB, VND, KWD, CNY |
Pros
- 170+ trading instruments
- MetaTrader 4 integration
- Trustworthy and regulated by CySEC
Cons
- Non-forex asset list is light with just 65 stocks plus a handful of indices and commodities
- Limited availability with clients not accepted from the US, UK, Japan, Germany and other countries
Swissquote
"Swissquote is an excellent choice for active traders looking for a customizable platform, such as its CXFD, which integrates Autochartist for automated chart analysis to aid trading decisions. However, its average fees and steep $1,000 minimum deposit might make it less accessible for beginner traders."
Swissquote Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Bonds, Options, Futures, ETFs, Crypto (location dependent) |
| Regulator | FCA, FINMA, CSSF, DFSA, SFC, MAS, MFSA, CySEC, FSCA |
| Platforms | CFXD, MT4, MT5, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $1,000 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:100 (Retail), 1:400 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, AED, SAR, HUF, THB, QAR, MXN |
Pros
- Swissquote is highly trusted owing to its position as a bank, its listing on the Swiss stock exchange, and authorization from trusted bodies like FINMA in Switzerland, FCA in the UK, and CSSF in Luxembourg.
- Swissquote is built for fast-paced trading strategies like day trading, scalping and high-frequency trading with 9ms average execution speeds, a 98% fill ratio, and FIX API.
- Swissquote provides advanced research services like Autochartist for technical analysis and integration of real-time news from Dow Jones. Its proprietary Market Talk videos and Morning News reports deliver expert analysis daily, appealing to active traders.
Cons
- Swissquote primarily caters to pro and high-net-worth clients, with high minimum deposit requirements (eg $1,000 for Standard accounts), making it less suited for smaller traders who can find higher leverage at the growing number of brokers with no minimum deposit.
- Unlike brokers such as eToro with social trading features, Swissquote lacks tools for community engagement or copying successful traders, limiting its appeal for those who value peer-to-peer learning.
- Analysis shows Swissquote’s fees are on the high side, with forex spreads starting at 1.3 pips on Standard accounts, compared to 0.0 pips at brokers like Pepperstone or IC Markets. Transaction fees for non-Swiss stocks and ETFs can also add up for frequent traders.
What Is An AED Account?
An AED account means you can deposit, hold and trade in the UAE Dirham. This is known as a base currency and is essentially the money your account is denominated in. All profits, losses, commissions and fees are processed in your account currency.
Some brokers accept a single base currency for all account holders, for example, the US Dollar. However, the best providers and platforms offer accounts in a range of popular currencies, making it easier for local investors to manage their trading activity.
The base currency can be selected during account registration. It is also worth noting that you do not have to deposit in your chosen money. Brokers can convert this at the current exchange rate, subject to any additional fees.
AED Currency Explained
The United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) is the official currency of Dubai and the other seven Emirates. It replaced several different currencies in 1973, including the Dubai riyal.
The AED is pegged to the USD, making it one of the most stable currencies in the world. This is mainly due to the United Arab Emirates’ reliance on oil exports which are traded in USD. The pegged rate remains at 3.6 AED to 1 USD.
The monetary policy of the Emirates is directed by The Central Bank of The UAE (CBUAE). Its responsibilities include promoting stability and efficiency in the financial system, protecting consumers through effective supervision, as well as supporting economic growth.
The AED Dirham is not a heavily traded currency, ranking outside of the largest 30 worldwide and accounting for just 0.2% of the daily forex market turnover. Still, it is popular with investors interested in more stable currencies and those that speculate on oil markets.
Benefits Of Brokers With AED Accounts
- Accessibility – Brokers that accept AED accounts may provide access to local assets, including equities on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, plus currency pairs with the AED, such as the USD/AED, GBP/AED and EUR/AED. Account holders can also normally speculate on popular global markets.
- Predictable – As the AED is pegged to the USD, there is less risk of wild price swings affecting the value of your investment portfolio.
- Fees – For residents of the United Arab Emirates and international clients trading large volumes of the AED, being able to avoid costly conversion fees can help protect profit margins.
- Taxation – There are no personal income tax requirements in the United Arab Emirates meaning that traders do not typically have to pay taxes on profits. With that said, if you are investing from another country via a broker with an AED account, taxes may apply.
- Payment Methods – Brokers with AED accounts may integrate local deposit and withdrawal options. These tend to offer faster processing times, with funds often clearing within one working day. Emirates NBD Securities, for example, provides Nasdaq Dubai trading opportunities for clients using an existing AED bank account.
- Regulation – Brokers offering AED accounts should be regulated within the countries in which they operate. The Central Bank of UAE regulates forex trading platforms and brokers, with the Securities Commodities Authority (SCA) issuing licenses of approval. Registered brokers have to comply with stringent rules restricting fraudulent activities whilst encouraging a stable trading environment.
How To Check A Broker Offers An AED Account
It may not be immediately apparent if a broker offers an AED trading account. We recommend taking a look at the deposit and withdrawal page as firms tend to list accepted currencies by payment method here.
Alternatively, the new account setup page should provide details of base currencies. A drop-down selection is typically integrated if more than one currency is available.
If it is still unclear, reach out to the broker’s customer service team. Live chat is usually the most responsive.
Comparing Brokers With AED Accounts
Once you’ve identified brokers with AED accounts, there are a few considerations to review before signing up:
- Customer Service – The best brokers with AED accounts provide reliable and responsive customer support options. This may include email, live chat or a toll-free telephone number. The best platforms offer 24/7 access.
- Demo Account – Practise accounts are a great way to trial the tools on offer before committing to a live profile. You can put your day trading strategies to the test in a risk-free, simulated environment with access to virtual funds.
- Educational Content – Access to educational features are important for new or inexperienced traders. Video content, keyword glossaries, blog posts and articles can be integrated within a platform or trader interface.
- Fees – It is worth checking that commissions and spreads are competitive vs other brokers with AED accounts. These charges can quickly eat into profits. Look out for other costs such as inactivity fees, rollover rates, plus account maintenance charges.
- Assets – Access to financial markets and instruments varies between brokers. Check the list of assets available to retail clients and whether this includes stocks listed on local exchanges, plus forex pairs with the AED. This could also include US indices, global commodities and major forex pairs.
- Platforms & Tools – Which trading platform does the broker offer? Access to the industry-renowned MetaTrader 4/5 or proprietary terminals can influence your trading experience. Reliable tools, such as technical indicators and customizable charts, can support with more accurate investing and pricing analysis. Mobile apps are also important if you want to manage positions on the go.
- Regulation – Ensure your brokerage is regulated by a relevant financial body. Brokers registered within the United Arab Emirates should comply with the rules of the Securities Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Central Bank of UAE. International brokers with AED accounts may be authorized by other financial bodies. Look out for a top-tier authority including the ASIC or FCA.
Final Word On Brokers With AED Accounts
Brokers with AED accounts help simplify the trading experience for residents of the United Arab Emirates, as well as those actively investing in the currency. The predictability of the currency due to its peg to the USD helps protect against volatile price shifts.
Look for brokers with competitive fees, innovative tools and platforms, plus a trusted regulatory license. See our list of the best AED brokers to start trading today.
FAQs
What Are Brokers With AED Accounts?
Brokers with AED accounts offer live trading solutions with the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) as the base currency. This means all trading activity and account management are executed in this money.
How Can I Find Out If Brokers Offer AED Accounts?
Available base currencies are often listed on the account profile webpage or within the deposit and withdrawal section of a broker’s website. If information is unclear, reach out to the broker’s customer service team.
Can Anyone Open An AED Trading Account?
Most retail investors can open an AED trading account regardless of their country of residency. Remember though, it is your responsibility to comply with local tax requirements.
How Can I Choose The Best Brokers With AED Trading Accounts?
There are many considerations when choosing between brokers. Your personal preferences and requirements may play part in this but other factors to compare include trading platforms, fees, regulatory status, plus access to customer support.
Do Brokers With AED Accounts Have To Be Regulated?
Brokers registered within the United Arab Emirates should comply with the guidance of the Securities Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Central Bank of UAE. International brokers with AED accounts may hold a license with other financial bodies, such as the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).