Operating under a DFSA license, the new regional hub will be led by Sharif Jaghman to support growing market demand
CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, has announced the opening of a new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), further expanding its footprint in the Middle East.
The new entity will operate under a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license, strengthening CME Group’s local presence and enabling closer engagement with institutional and retail clients across the region.
Julie Winkler, Chief Commercial Officer at CME Group, said:
“Surging institutional and retail participation in financial markets has fuelled demand for broader trading access in the Middle East. Building on years of collaboration with regulators and brokers in the region, our new office will help clients manage risk and access key benchmark products.”
The Dubai office will serve as CME Group’s regional hub and will be headed by Sharif Jaghman, Head of Middle East and Africa. Jaghman brings nearly 20 years of experience in financial services, having previously held senior roles at CME Group, the New York Stock Exchange, and Euronext.
CME Group offers listed futures, options, and cash markets across major asset classes, including interest rates, equities, foreign exchange, energy, agriculture, metals, and cryptocurrency.
The firm’s decision to establish a local presence follows its June 2025 launch of the spot US Dollar/United Arab Emirates Dirham (USD/AED) currency pair on EBS Market and EBS Direct, addressing growing regional demand for foreign exchange products.
The new DIFC office marks a key milestone in CME Group’s global expansion strategy, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading international hub for finance and trading innovation.
