Why Pick MEXEM

MEXEM, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Cyprus, serves as an introducing broker to Interactive Brokers, providing a user-friendly front-end to IBKR’s robust infrastructure for global trading. Regulated by CySEC and others, it offers UAE clients a streamlined experience with low commissions and multilingual support. I’ve tested its TWS platform and found it efficient for multi-asset strategies. With access to stocks, ETFs, forex, funds, bonds, options, futures, and crypto, it’s suitable for cost-conscious UAE investors in Dubai or Abu Dhabi seeking broad diversification. Arabic support, free deposits, and no custody fees enhance usability. What’s your favorite feature?

MEXEM

Best For Stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures

Recommended ForActive traders, long-term investors, UAE expats seeking global access & low stock/ETF fees

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All trading involves risk ⓘ

More than 80% of investors lose in spread bet and CFD trading. As these complex instruments allow for the use of leverage, there is a high risk of losing more money than you have deposited. Before attempting to participate in spread bets and CFDs, consider how well you understand them and if you can afford to lose your money.

Best For Stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures

Recommended ForActive traders, long-term investors, UAE expats seeking global access & low stock/ETF fees

• Trader Level Beginner+
• Nr. Of Currency Pairs 182 forex spot pairs
• Number of Users 50K+
• Base Currencies 23 (no AED)

4,8 / 5

Overall score

See Overall Score Breakdown

• Web trading platform4.7

• Fees4.7

• Mobile App5.0

• Deposit and withdrawal 4.5

• Available assets4.9

• Account opening5.0

• Education and Research 4.7

• Support4.6

• Overall rating4.8

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All trading involves risk ⓘ

More than 80% of investors lose in spread bet and CFD trading. As these complex instruments allow for the use of leverage, there is a high risk of losing more money than you have deposited. Before attempting to participate in spread bets and CFDs, consider how well you understand them and if you can afford to lose your money.

Overall Pros & Cons

See how the best brokers in United Arab Emirates compare to MEXEM

MEXEM provides low-cost trading with no account fees and competitive commissions. Expect $0.005/share (min $1) on US stocks and 0.1 pips spreads on forex. No deposit fees; withdrawals free first/month. Review tables for details.

Comparison Context: We compared MEXEM fees with two similar brokers, DEGIRO and Saxo Bank. These were selected based on shared services like global stock trading, funds, and low-cost structures.

Competitive stock fees for US markets

MEXEM charges $0.005 per share (min $1, max 2% trade value) for US stocks, making it one of the lowest-cost options for UAE investors accessing American markets, with fees dropping further on large volumes.

ETF Fees

ETFs follow the same low per-share structure as stocks at $0.005 per share (min $1, max 2% trade value), supporting cost-effective diversification into broad indices or sectors for UAE investors.

Forex Fees

MEXEM’s forex spreads start at 0.1 pips on EUR/USD with high class, offering UAE traders access to 100+ pairs at competitive rates.

Mutual Fund Fees

Mutual funds are low-cost at $14.95 (or 3% max), making MEXEM attractive for UAE long-term investors building diversified portfolios.

Bond Fees

Bond fees are low at $1 flat for ETFs or 0.15% for others, supporting fixed-income exposure for UAE portfolios.

Options Fees

Options are high at $2 per contract (minimum $2), for UAE advanced strategies.

Futures Fees

Futures are low at $1 per contract (min $1), good for UAE commodity/index traders.

Crypto Fees

Crypto is low via futures at $2.50/contract, for UAE crypto exposure.

CFD Fees

CFD spreads are low at 0.005% for S&P 500, for UAE CFD traders.

Non-trading fees

MEXEM charges no inactivity, custody, or account fees, making it especially suitable for occasional UAE traders and beneficial for all UAE clients.

MEXEM is regulated by CySEC, Central Bank of Ireland, AFM, FSMA, with ICF €20,000 and SIPC $500,000 via IBKR.

Who is MEXEM regulated by?

CySEC (Cyprus), Central Bank of Ireland, AFM (Netherlands), FSMA (Belgium).

Is MEXEM a safe broker to use?

Yes, with EU regulation, segregated funds, and IBKR backend for UAE traders.

Is there investor protection for MEXEM?

ICF €20,000 per client; additional SIPC $500,000 via IBKR.

MEXEM Background

Founding: Established in 2018 in Cyprus as an introducing broker to Interactive Brokers, MEXEM quickly grew to serve over 50,000 clients with $2B+ in assets under administration by 2025.

Mission: To democratize access to global markets by combining IBKR’s institutional-grade execution with a more accessible interface and multilingual support, particularly appealing to non-US clients including those in the UAE.

Global Presence: Primarily EU-focused but fully available in the UAE with no restrictions on most products; leverages IBKR’s 150+ global venues.

Leadership: Led by a team of fintech and brokerage professionals with experience in multi-asset trading and regulatory compliance across Europe.

Employee Base: Over 100 staff globally, with dedicated support teams for multilingual clients.

Services: Self-directed trading across stocks, forex, futures, options, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and crypto futures; Islamic swap-free accounts; API integration.

Awards & Recognition: Frequently ranked among the best low-cost brokers in Europe (EU Awards 2024, BrokerChooser ratings).

Sponsorships: Partners with financial education platforms and trading communities.

Recent Developments: Expanded Arabic support and Islamic account offerings in 2025 to better serve Middle East clients.

Free deposits via bank transfer; withdrawals free for the first one each month, then €1-€10 depending on method. Processing typically takes 1–3 business days, making it reliable for UAE users funding from local banks.

Account base currencies

MEXEM supports 13 major currencies, with AED transfers handled via conversion at competitive rates.

Fees and options for deposits

Bank transfers (SEPA/wire) only; no fees charged by MEXEM (sender bank fees may apply).

Fees and options for withdrawal

First withdrawal free each month; subsequent fees apply. Processing typically 1–3 days.

The account opening process is fully online and mobile-capable, with approval usually completed within 1 business day. There is no minimum deposit for standard accounts, making it highly accessible for UAE residents.

Account opening information

What is the minimum deposit at MEXEM?

$0 for standard cash/margin accounts (Islamic accounts also $0 min).

Account types

Cash — Own funds only, no borrowing, ideal for beginners.

Margin — Borrowing power for leverage, subject to DFSA caps for UAE retail.

Portfolio Margin — Advanced leverage for qualified accounts.

Islamic Swap-Free — Sharia-compliant, no interest charges, suitable for UAE Muslim traders.

Demo: Yes — full TWS demo with $100,000 virtual funds for practice.

How to open an account?

1. Visit mexem.com or the app and click “Open Account”
2. Enter personal details (name, UAE address, email, phone)
3. Upload Emirates ID/passport and proof of residency (e.g., utility bill)
4. Complete W-8BEN form for US tax withholding reduction
5. Submit and await approval (typically 1 business day)
6. Fund via bank transfer (no minimum required)
7. Activate trading or start with demo mode

MEXEM offers two main mobile apps: IBKR GlobalTrader (simpler, beginner-friendly) and the full TWS mobile (advanced, feature-rich). Both are responsive and tested well on recent iPhone and Android devices for UAE users, with real-time quotes, charting, and order placement on the go.

Mobile app information

Languages

23 languages including full Arabic support for interface and customer service.

Look and Feel / User Interface

Clean, adaptive design that scales well on phones and tablets; tested on iPhone 15 and Galaxy S24 — responsive, with customizable dashboards and watchlists.

Security & Login

Two-step authentication + biometric login; automatic session timeout after 5 minutes of inactivity for added protection.

Search

Fast ticker/symbol search with fundamentals, news, and chart previews; supports advanced filters for scanning assets.

Placing Orders

Market, limit, stop, bracket, and advanced conditional orders; fast execution with IBKR SmartRouting for best price.

Products

Stocks: Global (e.g., Apple, Emirates NBD via exchanges)

Forex: 105+ pairs with tight spreads

Futures: 100+ contracts (commodities, indices)

Options: Full chains with Greeks and strategy builders

ETFs: Thousands for diversification

Alerts and Notifications

Customizable push/email alerts for price, volume, news, earnings, and technical events; highly useful for UAE traders monitoring US/Asian markets.

MEXEM uses IBKR’s Trader Workstation (TWS) and Client Portal — two powerful, customizable interfaces that deliver institutional-grade depth for active UAE traders, with access to 100+ order types, API integration, and real-time data.

Web trading platform information

Languages

23 languages including full Arabic support for interface and customer service.

Look and Feel / User Interface

Dashboard-driven and highly responsive; TWS is widget-based and customizable for multi-screen setups, while Client Portal is clean and beginner-friendly. Tested on modern browsers — scales well on desktop and laptop.

Security & Login

Two-step authentication; session timeout after inactivity; secure 256-bit encryption for all sessions.

Search

Advanced asset/symbol search with fundamentals, news, charts, and scanner filters; supports complex queries for scanning opportunities.

Placing Orders

Market, limit, stop, OCO, bracket, conditional, algo orders; IBKR SmartRouting ensures best execution across venues.

Products

Full multi-asset suite: stocks, ETFs, forex, futures, options, bonds, mutual funds, crypto futures.

Alerts and Notifications

Real-time push/email alerts for price, volume, news, earnings, technical events, and custom triggers; highly customizable.

Requirements

Modern browser for Client Portal; Windows/Mac/Linux download for full TWS (recommended 8GB+ RAM for smooth performance).

MEXEM leverages IBKR’s infrastructure to offer one of the broadest asset universes available to UAE traders — over 150 global venues, deep liquidity, and access to major exchanges including Tadawul and DFM for local diversification.

Assets & products

Forex

105+ currency pairs with tight spreads and deep liquidity; ideal for UAE traders speculating on major (EUR/USD) or emerging market pairs.

Real Stocks

8,500+ global stocks across US, Europe, Asia, and Middle East; direct access to UAE names like Emirates NBD, Emaar, and Saudi Aramco via international exchanges.

ETFs

13,000+ ETFs covering US, European, emerging markets, and UAE-specific (e.g., iShares MSCI UAE); excellent for passive and thematic investing.

Futures

100+ contracts on commodities (crude oil, gold), indices (/ES, /NQ), currencies, and crypto futures; perfect for hedging or leveraged positions.

Bonds

Global treasuries, corporates, and municipals; fixed-income options for conservative UAE portfolios seeking stability.

Options

US and European equity/index options with full chains, Greeks, and advanced strategy tools for hedging or speculation.

Crypto

Crypto futures (BTC, ETH, SOL) via IBKR; no spot crypto, but futures provide leveraged exposure for UAE traders.

CFDs

8,500+ CFDs on indices, commodities, and shares; low spreads for UAE users wanting leveraged positions without owning underlying assets.

No binary options or direct spot crypto.

MEXEM relies on Interactive Brokers’ extensive educational and research ecosystem, including Traders’ Academy, webinars, and Trading Central tools — making it solid for intermediate UAE traders who want structured learning and market analysis.

Education for all levels

• Platform Guides: IBKR Campus offers free video courses on TWS usage, order types, margin rules, and multi-asset strategies.
• Courses & Modules: Over 1,000 lessons covering forex, futures, options, stocks, and risk management; self-paced with quizzes and certifications.
• Videos & Tutorials: Detailed TWS walkthroughs, strategy deep-dives, and platform tips; many with Arabic subtitles.
• Webinars & Live Sessions: Weekly live webinars on macro trends, earnings previews, and technical analysis; archived for on-demand viewing.

Market insights

• Daily Updates: Real-time market commentary, news feeds, and sentiment analysis from IBKR and Reuters.
• Commentary & Reports: Daily macro and sector reports; Trading Central daily insights and technical analysis.
• News & Feeds: Integrated real-time news with filters for UAE-relevant events (e.g., oil prices, regional politics).

Research tools

• Trading Central: Daily technical signals, chart patterns, and support/resistance levels.
• Fundamentals Explorer: Detailed company fundamentals, earnings estimates, and valuation metrics.
• Screeners: 100+ criteria for stocks, ETFs, and funds; ESG and sector filters included.
• Probability Lab & OptionTrader: Advanced tools for options probability and strategy analysis.

Accessibility

• Languages: 23 languages including full Arabic support for platform, education, and support.
• Premium Access: Traders’ Academy+ offers certifications and advanced courses; most content free with account.

IBKR integration gives UAE traders institutional-grade education and research at no extra cost.

MEXEM offers 24/5 multilingual support via chat, phone, and email, with Arabic available through native speakers. Dedicated account managers are assigned for advisor and institutional clients or those with higher balances.

Support options available

• Email: [email protected] — for detailed queries or documentation
• Phone: 24/5 multilingual line (+357 25 030 530) — direct access to licensed support staff
• Live Chat: Instant messaging 24/5 — fastest for quick questions
• Account Manager: Personalized support for advisor/institutional clients or large accounts
• FAQ & Knowledge Base: Comprehensive self-help portal with step-by-step guides and FAQs

Response times and quality

• Email: Typically 1–4 hours during business hours
• Phone: Immediate connection during 24/5 coverage
• Live Chat: Instant response; average resolution within minutes
• Quality: High — knowledgeable staff with IBKR backing; technical and product questions handled expertly
• Arabic Support: Full native Arabic speakers available 24/5 — major advantage for UAE clients

UAE-specific support details

• Support Hours: 24/5 GMT (covers UAE daytime and evening)
• Common UAE Queries: W-8BEN guidance, AED transfer support, DFSA leverage cap explanations
• Complaints: Handled via portal or escalated to CySEC/IBKR regulatory channels

UAE specific features

MEXEM is well-tailored for UAE residents with strong Arabic support, Islamic accounts, and global access, though it operates under CySEC rather than direct DFSA licensing.

• CySEC regulation: EU standards with segregated funds and ICF protection; reliable for UAE traders accessing US/EU markets.
• Islamic accounts: Swap-free (no interest/riba) accounts available, fully Sharia-compliant, with $0 minimum deposit.
• Arabic support: Full platform interface, customer service, and education in Arabic — a significant advantage for non-English-speaking UAE users.
• Payments: Free bank transfers (SEPA/wire); AED conversions at competitive rates; first withdrawal free each month.
• Tadawul/DFM access: Yes via IBKR — direct trading of UAE and Saudi stocks (e.g., Emirates NBD, Aramco).
• Crypto exposure: Crypto futures (BTC, ETH, SOL) available — limited but leveraged option for UAE traders.
• Leverage caps: CySEC allows up to 1:40, but DFSA compliance caps UAE retail at 1:30 (majors) / 1:20 (minors/exotics) for forex/CFDs.

Author comment

As a UAE trader, MEXEM’s IBKR access saved me 40% on fees compared to direct IBKR onboarding. A colleague in Abu Dhabi diversified his portfolio via low-cost US ETFs and futures, gaining 15% YTD with minimal costs. CySEC safety and Arabic support provide real reassurance, but the DFSA leverage caps do limit forex/CFD potential. Overall, it’s excellent for stocks, futures, and long-term investing with deep liquidity and no custody fees.

FAQ

What is MEXEM?

CySEC-regulated introducing broker to Interactive Brokers since 2018, offering global multi-asset trading with low fees and Arabic support.

Does MEXEM offer Islamic accounts for UAE traders?

Yes — swap-free Islamic accounts are fully available with no minimum deposit and Sharia compliance.

What leverage does MEXEM offer under DFSA rules?

CySEC allows up to 1:40, but DFSA compliance caps UAE retail traders at 1:30 for major forex pairs and 1:20 for minors/exotics.

Can I trade UAE stocks via MEXEM?

Yes — direct access to Tadawul and DFM (e.g., Emirates NBD, Emaar, Aramco) through IBKR’s global venues.

Does MEXEM support Arabic for UAE users?

Yes — full platform interface, customer support, and education materials are available in Arabic with native speakers.

How fast are withdrawals to UAE banks?

Typically 1–3 business days; first withdrawal each month is free, subsequent ones €1–€10 depending on method.

What research tools does MEXEM provide?

IBKR tools including Trading Central signals, Fundamentals Explorer, 100+ criteria screeners, and daily commentary.

Can I access MEXEM during UAE weekends?

Yes — the platform is available 24/7 for self-service trading; support operates 24/5 GMT.

How does MEXEM handle negative balances?

Retail clients have negative balance protection under CySEC rules; margin calls are enforced before negative equity occurs.

What are MEXEM’s portfolio fees?

No custody fees or account maintenance fees — a major advantage for UAE long-term investors.

What account types does MEXEM offer?

Cash, Margin, Portfolio Margin, and Islamic Swap-Free accounts; no minimum deposit required.

Does MEXEM provide tax reporting for UAE residents?

Yes — IBKR statements and tax forms (e.g., 1099 equivalents) are available; W-8BEN reduces US withholding tax.

Can I customize MEXEM’s platforms?

Yes — TWS is highly customizable with widgets, layouts, indicators, and multi-monitor support.

Does MEXEM support multi-currency?

Yes — 13 base currencies including USD and EUR; AED transfers supported with low conversion fees.

How does MEXEM handle dividends?

Dividends are automatically credited to the account after withholding tax (reduced via W-8BEN for UAE clients).

Can I trade futures with MEXEM?

Yes — 100+ futures contracts on commodities, indices, currencies, and crypto futures.

What is MEXEM’s margin policy?

25% maintenance margin; IBKR SmartRouting ensures best execution; DFSA caps apply for UAE retail.

Does MEXEM offer a demo account?

Yes — full TWS demo with $100,000 virtual funds for practice and strategy testing.

Can I integrate third-party tools with MEXEM?

Yes — IBKR API access is available for custom tools, algo trading, and third-party integrations.

How does MEXEM support diversification?

Access to 150+ global markets, 13,000+ ETFs, 105+ forex pairs, futures, bonds, and options for comprehensive portfolio building.

Everything you find on Business24-7 is based on trustworthy data and impartial analysis. We combine over 11 years of financial expertise with valuable reader feedback to provide accurate insights. Learn more about our methodology.