FXGT
If you trade from your phone in the UAE, the first metric that matters for an iOS trading app is execution stability. FXGT offers MT4 and MT5 on iOS, and for a broker launched in 2019, the platform side is actually the strongest part of the offering. The proprietary FXGT app and WebTrader are also in the mix, but you will likely end up on MetaTrader anyway.
FXGT operates in the UAE through GT Global Ltd, which holds a Seychelles FSA Securities Dealer Licence No. SD019. There is no UAE SCA or DFSA licence, so no local investor-protection scheme applies. That is worth knowing upfront, and we will come back to what it means in practice.
The platform under the hood
The iOS app is essentially a mobile front-end for the same execution environment you get on desktop. You get MT4 and MT5, which is the key detail. Some account types are MT5-only, so if you plan to use the ECN Zero account, check the platform requirement before you fund.
The proprietary FXGT WebTrader and mobile app exist, but MetaTrader remains the more reliable choice for most traders. The app supports the full instrument list, including 50+ FX pairs, 30+ crypto CFDs, synthetic crypto pairs, 50+ US share CFDs, 10+ indices, metals and energy CFDs.
Comparing the FXGT iOS offering
UAE traders comparing FXGT against other international brokers will find the account structure relatively straightforward. Six account types are available, all commission-free except ECN Zero, which uses a raw spread model.
| Account Type | Spreads (FX) | Commission | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | From ~1.5 pips | None | ~USD 5 |
| Standard+ | From ~0.8 pips | None | ~USD 5-50 |
| Micro/Cent | From ~1.5 pips | None | ~USD 5-50 |
| Pro | From ~0.8 pips | None | ~USD 5-50 |
| ECN Zero | From 0.0 pips | ~USD 3/side | ~USD 5-50 |
| Optimus | From ~1.0 pips | None | ~USD 5-50 |
The ECN Zero account is the one to watch if you care about raw spreads. At 0.0 pips plus a fixed commission, the all-in cost depends on your average holding period. For short-term FX scalping, that structure usually beats a wider commission-free spread.
The Optimus account is different. Leverage up to 1:5000 is available, which is far above the local UAE retail caps of roughly 1:50 on major FX pairs under SCA/CMA rules. That leverage is not capped by a UAE regulator because the entity serving UAE clients is offshore.
What leverage actually means here
Leverage of 1:5000 sounds aggressive, and it is. At 1:5000, a 0.02% adverse move against a full-size position wipes out the margin. You will not find that kind of leverage under DFSA rules, which align with EU standards at roughly 1:30.
The practical approach for most UAE traders is to use the Pro or Standard+ account with lower leverage. The Optimus account exists for a specific type of trader, and if you are not that trader, the risk is not worth it.
Funding and currency conversion
FXGT does not offer AED-denominated accounts. Base currencies are USD, EUR and JPY, so funding in AED involves conversion. The broker advertises no deposit fees, and minimum deposits range from USD 5 to USD 50 depending on the method.
| Payment Method | Processing Time | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Cards (Visa/Mastercard) | Instant | ~USD 5-50 |
| Bank Wire | 1-2 business days | ~USD 50 |
| Neteller / Skrill / STICPAY | Instant | ~USD 5-50 |
| Binance Pay / BitWallet / Crypto | Instant | ~USD 5-50 |
Specific AED rails were not verified at the time of review. What matters for UAE traders is the conversion cost baked into the spread or the payment processor fee. Since the AED is pegged to the USD at roughly 3.6725, conversion is straightforward, but it is still a cost you will pay on every deposit and withdrawal.
Regulation and what to watch
The regulatory picture here is simple. GT Global Ltd holds a Seychelles FSA Securities Dealer Licence No. SD019. UAE clients are onboarded through this offshore entity, and there is no SCA or DFSA licence in place.
UAE rules require any firm offering forex or CFD services to hold a local licence from SCA/CMA on the mainland, DFSA in DIFC, or FSRA in ADGM. FXGT does not hold any of these. That means trading with FXGT from the UAE is not permitted under local rules, and you do not have access to a local investor-protection scheme.
This is not unique to FXGT. Many international brokers serve UAE clients through offshore entities. The question is whether you are comfortable with that structure.
There is no verified UAE SCA alert against FXGT. The main concern is the absence of local oversight, not a history of regulatory action.
Tax treatment for UAE traders
There is 0% personal income tax and 0% capital gains tax on individual trading profits in the UAE. Forex, stocks, crypto, and derivatives profits are all retained in full by individual traders.
Corporate tax of 9% applies to business profits above AED 375,000, but that only matters if you trade as a company. Individual retail traders have no personal-income filing duty.
Islamic account options
Swap-free Islamic accounts are available on request. Most assets are swap-free for up to roughly 2 days, which is a standard structure for Islamic accounts. Given that the UAE is a major hub for Islamic finance, this is an expected feature, and FXGT covers it.
Comparing FXGT iOS vs. alternatives
UAE traders comparing FXGT with more strictly regulated international brokers will notice the difference in leverage and oversight. A CySEC or FCA-regulated broker caps retail leverage at 1:30, while FXGT offers up to 1:5000 on the Optimus account. The trade-off is between flexibility and protection.
That said, FXGT offers a genuinely wide range of instruments, especially for crypto traders. Synthetic crypto pairs like BTC vs Gold or BTC vs S&P 500 are not common across the board. If you want to trade crypto correlations alongside FX, this is one of the few places where you can do it in a single account.
What would we do
If the iOS app experience matters most and you want access to high leverage and crypto CFDs, FXGT is a functional choice with solid MetaTrader support. The platform reliability is not the issue here. The absence of UAE-level regulation is the trade-off you accept.
Best suited for: traders who want a crypto-forex hybrid broker with MT4/MT5 on iOS, a wide instrument list, and low minimum deposits. If you are trading smaller size and want exposure to 30+ crypto CFDs alongside FX pairs, FXGT gives you that in one app.
Not suited for: traders who want the strongest regulatory oversight or a local UAE entity. If having a DFSA-regulated broker with investor protection matters more than high leverage or crypto variety, look at internationally regulated brokers that hold a UAE licence. The spreads will be comparable, and you get the local regulatory framework.
