CFDs carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

ForexTime (FXTM) markets its desktop trading experience through MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, promising access to over 1,000 CFDs. The claim is bold, but for a trader in the UAE, the first question is not about charting tools. It is about who you are dealing with legally and whether the desktop platform you download matches the company that holds your account.
FXTM operates in the UAE through Exinity Global Financial Services L.L.C., registered in Dubai at Office 614, The Binary Tower by Omniyat, 32 Marasi Drive Street, Business Bay. The local entity holds a Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) license for Introduction & Promotion under number 20200000270. This is not the same as a full dealing license, and that distinction matters when you trade on a PC, because the entity on your client agreement must match the license you verify.
What the PC App Actually Is
The FXTM desktop offering is not a proprietary platform. What you download for Windows is the MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 terminal, rebranded with FXTM's server connections. This is a practical detail: MT4 and MT5 are industry-standard tools, which means the interface, order execution, and charting are familiar to most traders. The broker advertises floating spreads as low as 0 pips, with zero to low commission on certain account types, but the raw spread and commission structure depends on which of the three main accounts you choose.
For UAE-based clients, the platform choice is straightforward. According to FXTM's regional materials, UAE stock CFDs are explicitly available on MetaTrader 5, and both MT4 and MT5 are listed as supported platforms. The minimum deposit starts at $10, and you can open accounts in AED, USD, or EUR, which is useful for avoiding conversion fees on local deposits.
Account Types and Trading Costs
The transparency of a desktop trading experience depends on the fine print of the account you link to it. FXTM lists three account types for its UAE audience: Micro, Advantage, and Advantage Plus.
| Account Parameter | Micro | Advantage | Advantage Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating | Floating |
| Commission | Zero to low | Zero to low | 0.30% on UAE stock CFDs |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 |
| Islamic Account | Available | Available | Available |
There is a nuance in the cost structure. The advertised floating spread can drop to 0 pips, but this typically applies to raw pricing models where a commission is charged separately. On the Advantage Plus account, the 0.30% commission applies to UAE stock CFDs from ADX and DFM, which is a significant detail if you plan to trade local equities from the desktop app.
Leverage Inside the Terminal
The leverage displayed in the MT4/MT5 login window for UAE clients is not a single number. Public reviews of the broker for UAE-facing clients report leverage up to 1:1000, with floating leverage up to 1:2000 depending on deposit and account type, and another source cites up to 1:3000 for retail clients. This variance suggests the leverage inside the terminal depends on which entity you were onboarded to.
For context, the leverage caps depend on the local regulator you fall under. The SCA/CMA (mainland) retail caps are reported as approximately 1:50 on major FX pairs, 1:20 on minors and exotics, 1:10 on commodities, and 1:3 on stocks. The DFSA (DIFC) applies approximately 1:30, aligned with EU standards. If you access FXTM through the SCA-regulated introduction entity, the practical leverage is reported to be far higher than these caps, which suggests you may be onboarded to an offshore entity that markets to UAE residents.
| Leverage Claim | Reported Value | Source Context |
|---|---|---|
| Standard reported cap | Up to 1:1000 | UAE broker reviews |
| Floating leverage | Up to 1:2000 | Depending on deposit/account type |
| Higher retail claim | Up to 1:3000 | Alternate third-party review |
| SCA/CMA mainland cap | ~1:50 on majors | Regulatory guideline; verify at uaecma.gov.ae |
On a PC, the MT5 terminal shows your actual leverage in the "Specification" tab of each symbol. The number you see there is the legal obligation of the entity serving you, and it should match the risk disclosure in your client agreement.
Regulatory Structure for UAE Clients
FXTM's regulatory status in the UAE requires precise language. The local entity is neither unregulated nor a full-market maker. Exinity Global Financial Services L.L.C. is regulated by the SCA for Introduction & Promotion under license number 20200000270. This is a specific type of permission: it allows the company to introduce clients and promote services, but the actual trade execution and custody may rest with another Exinity entity operating under a different license.
Public sources conflict on the regulatory scope, with some describing only introduction/promotion and others claiming broader licensing. Before you fund a desktop account, verify the entity name on your client agreement against the SCA open-data register at uaecma.gov.ae.
Any firm offering forex/CFD services to the UAE public must hold a local license from SCA/CMA, DFSA, or FSRA. The registration number must match the legal entity on the client agreement. This is the single most important check you can perform.
Platform Features and Local Market Access
The desktop version matters for traders who want screen real estate for multi-chart layouts. MT5 on PC supports more timeframes and depth of market compared to the mobile version. For UAE clients, the key differentiator is access to local instruments: sources report access to 60+ currency pairs, CFDs on metals, stock indices, 180+ CFD shares, and 60+ UAE stock CFDs from ADX and DFM.
The claim about UAE stocks is specific enough to test in the platform. If you run the web version of MT5 before downloading the full PC client, you can check whether symbols like Emaar or DEWA are available in the Market Watch.
| Instrument Type | Reported Access | Platform Availability |
|---|---|---|
| FX pairs | 60+ pairs | MT4, MT5 |
| CFD shares | 180+ | MT4, MT5 |
| UAE stock CFDs | 60+ (ADX, DFM) | Explicitly MT5 |
| Metals and indices | Available | MT4, MT5 |
One FXTM UAE page states 65 UAE-listed stocks are available. Check the actual symbol list inside your terminal, as the number may reflect updates to listings.

Deposits and Withdrawals from the UAE
Funding a desktop account should be the most transparent part of the process. UAE sources list credit/debit cards, bank wire transfers, and local transfers as available methods. Funding methods reported include Visa, Mastercard, local transfer, and e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller. Deposit times are standard: card and e-wallet deposits are typically instant, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days.
Withdrawals require verification: Emirates ID (for residents) or a passport (for non-residents), plus proof of address. Complete this KYC requirement before you request a withdrawal.
| Funding Method | Speed | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Visa/Mastercard | Instant | AED, USD, EUR |
| Local bank transfer | 1-2 business days | AED |
| E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) | Instant | USD, EUR |
There is no local capital control limiting you from moving funds to a foreign broker. The AED is pegged to the USD, and capital moves freely in and out of the UAE. Standard AML/KYC checks apply on large transfers, but there is no ceiling on what you can send to a trading account.
Where the Money Can Go
The costs that are not on the front page are the ones that will show up in your account history. The floating spread can go to 0 pips, but on the Advantage accounts, the commission is the trade-off. On UAE stock CFDs, the 0.30% commission is a concrete number: on a $10,000 position in an ADX-listed stock, that is $30 per side, which is higher than what local UAE online brokers typically charge for direct share dealing.
Swap rates are another factor on a PC, where you can see open positions in a dashboard. The Islamic/swap-free account is available for UAE clients, which removes overnight interest charges. This is a standard expectation for the region, given the high demand for Sharia-compliant accounts, and FXTM offers it.
On the desktop app, watch the base currency. If you select AED as your base currency on the Advantage Plus account, the account is denominated in AED, but the underlying instruments are quoted in USD. The conversion happens at the broker's rate. The local bank transfer rails will work with Emirates NBD and ADCB accounts, so the funding path is clean, but the conversion cost is baked into the spread unless you check it.
Comparing the Desktop Experience
The comparison for a UAE trader is not between FXTM and a local stockbroker, but between FXTM and other international brokers that offer the MetaTrader suite with different cost structures or different regulatory footprints.
| Selection Criteria | FXTM (UAE) | What to Check Elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Local regulatory status | SCA Introduction & Promotion | DFSA or FSRA license, full license |
| Spread on EURUSD | From 0 pips (raw) | Raw vs standard spread |
| Commission | 0.30% on UAE stocks | Per-lot commission structure |
| Leverage advertised | Up to 1:1000+ | Confirm actual limit in terminal |
| Islamic account | Available | No swap charges, confirm terms |
When you compare this way, the desktop platform itself is neutral. MT5 is MT5. The difference is in who holds the order flow. The SCA introduction license is not the same as the DFSA license that a full-service broker in DIFC would hold. If your priority is strict regulatory oversight, you can achieve it through a broker regulated by the DFSA (with leverage around 1:30) or you can prioritize low spreads and higher leverage, which usually points toward an offshore entity.
The Fine Print on Your Screen
The practical advice for a PC user is to check three specific tabs in the terminal before your first trade.
First, the symbol specification tab. This shows the contract size, margin currency, and the leverage applied to that specific instrument. The effective leverage can differ across instruments, even within the same platform.
Second, the server connection. In MT4 or MT5, the bottom right corner shows the server name. The server name identifies the legal entity holding your account. If the server is under an Exinity entity that is not the SCA-regulated UAE entity, you need to read the client agreement to confirm your jurisdiction.
Third, the trade history. This shows the exact spread and commission taken on each closed position. This is the only way to verify whether the "zero to low commission" claim matches your actual execution price.
Who This Works For
Defensible for: Traders in the UAE who want a specific combination of MetaTrader access, local AED funding, and trading of UAE stock CFDs from the same desktop terminal. The $10 minimum deposit is accessible for testing, the Islamic account removes swap concerns, and the local bank transfer path is clean.
Questionable for: Traders who prioritize strict local regulatory oversight over leverage. The SCA introduction license is not a full dealing license, and the reported leverage up to 1:1000 sits far above the SCA/CMA mainland retail cap of approximately 1:50. If your priority is a broker whose entire risk framework sits under a single, fully accountable regulator, compare other international brokers holding a DFSA license or a full FCA or CySEC license directly in the platform.
Questions
Does the PC app support both MT4 and MT5?
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FXTM lists both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 as available platforms. UAE stock CFDs are explicitly available on MT5, while FX pairs and other CFDs work on both.
What leverage will I see on the PC platform?
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The leverage displayed in the MT4/MT5 terminal depends on your account entity and selected leverage settings. Public sources report FXTM offering up to 1:1000 for UAE clients, with floating leverage up to 1:2000 depending on deposit and account type. The exact number appears in the Symbol Specification tab in the terminal.
Can I trade UAE stocks like Emaar on the PC app?
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UAE sources report access to 60+ UAE stock CFDs from ADX and DFM. These symbols are accessible on MetaTrader 5 in the PC app, and the Advantage Plus account carries a 0.30% commission on these instruments.

