CME Group Sets Foot in the Middle East with New Dubai Office Opening

CME Group Expands Operations to Dubai

CME Group, recognized as the world's foremost derivatives marketplace, recently made significant strides in its expansion into the Middle Eastern market by inaugurating its new office located in the prestigious Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This strategic move comes in response to the vigorous demand for increased trading access across the region, fuelled by a surge in institutional and retail participation in financial markets.

Julie Winkler, the Chief Commercial Officer at CME Group, remarked, "Surging institutional and retail participation in financial markets has fueled demand for broader trading access in the Middle East." This sentiment underscores the urgency for enhanced trading platforms as financial dynamics evolve.

The newly established Dubai office, operating under a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license, signifies depth in CME Group's commitment to aiding clients in managing risks and leveraging opportunities inherent in significant benchmark products. Serge Marston, the Head of EMEA for CME Group, stated, "This is a significant step forward in elevating our EMEA presence for our clients," further emphasizing that the Dubai office will serve as a pivotal hub for CME Group across the Middle East, providing unparalleled service to UAE and neighboring markets.

Salmaan Jaffery, who serves as the Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, expressed excitement about CME Group's arrival, stating, "We are delighted to welcome CME Group to DIFC, strengthening a relationship we have built over many years." His comments reflect a mutual recognition of Dubai's growing stature as a global financial nexus and the burgeoning opportunities within the region.

CME Group’s new office is poised to be led by Sharif Jaghman, who brings nearly two decades of extensive experience in the financial services industry. Jaghman, previously stationed in London with CME Group, has held senior roles at multiple influential financial institutions, including the New York Stock Exchange and Euronext.

The diversification of CME Group’s offerings showcases their commitment to meeting client needs in various asset classes, including interest rates, equities, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural, metals, and cryptocurrency products. Notably, the firm’s recent introduction of the U.S. Dollar / United Arab Emirates Dirham (USD/AED) spot currency pair on June 30, 2025, reflects their responsiveness to client demand in the region, as stated by industry experts.

CME Group is renowned for facilitating the trading of futures, options, cash, and OTC markets, thereby empowering market participants worldwide to adeptly manage risk while seizing new opportunities. The organization prides itself on offering the broadest range of benchmark products across all major asset classes through innovative platforms like CME Globex, BrokerTec, and EBS, along with operating one of the leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing.

In conclusion, the opening of the Dubai office not only enhances CME Group's global reach but also positions it to play a vital role in the evolving landscape of Middle Eastern financial markets. This bold initiative is a testament to CME Group's ongoing dedication to fostering impactful trading opportunities and solidifying its presence in key markets worldwide. For further details on CME Group's Dubai office and its offerings, potential clients and partners are encouraged to visit CME Group's website.

This pioneering endeavor by CME Group serves as another milestone in the organization’s history as they continue to blaze trails in the international financial landscape, ensuring they meet the shifting needs of today’s global investors.