XTB started
giving away 10 free Emaar Properties (EMAAR) shares to new account holders in
its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operations, pairing the promotion with
a series of workshops aimed at novice investors.
The
brokerage, which serves 1.7 million clients globally, is running the offer
under its “Mastering Your Money: The XTB Investor Mindset” program.
New traders joining from Monday can access the shares immediately after opening
accounts, according to company materials.
The
initiative centers on free financial literacy sessions where participants can
interact with traders and learn about market fundamentals. XTB is framing the
approach as education-first, rather than relying solely on account bonuses to
attract customers.
Achraf Drid, Managing Director and Senior Executive Officer at XTB MENA, Source: LinkedIn
“We
believe that the best way to encourage responsible investing is through
education,” said Achraf Drid, Managing Director at XTB MENA. “The
‘Mastering Your Money’ campaign is about providing the right mindset and the
right tools. Our free stock offer is an incentive to get started, but our
workshops ensure that every new client begins with knowledge, strategy, and a
commitment to long-term financial health.”
This is not
the first time XTB has given away shares. A similar campaign took
place in May, featuring General Motors (GM).
Focus on UAE-Listed
Companies
The
promotion highlights Dubai-listed securities, including Emaar, food delivery
platform Talabat, and toll operator Salik. XTB is timing the campaign to
coincide with continued strength in UAE equity markets, where real estate and
infrastructure stocks have maintained positive momentum this year.
Emaar
shares traded at 13.85 dirhams on Monday, up about 6.6% year-to-date, according
to market data. The developer remains one of the Dubai Financial Market’s
largest constituents by market capitalization.
The
promotional strategy differs from traditional cash bonuses or deposit matches
common among brokerages competing for retail clients in the region. Since
March, XTB has operated an office
in Dubai to tailor its offerings to local traders and provide better
on-site support.
The
workshops cover basic investing concepts, technological tools used in trading,
and wealth-building fundamentals. XTB is positioning the sessions as a
foundation for long-term engagement rather than short-term account acquisition.
Brokers Rush Into Middle East
XTB’s
promotional push comes as brokerages flood into the Middle East at an
accelerating pace. The Dubai Financial Services Authority reported
an 18% jump in applications during the first nine months of 2025 compared
to the same period last year, prompting the regulator to launch an automated
licensing platform that cuts approval times by roughly one-third.
Trading
volumes in the region have climbed sharply. Capital.com reported
$804.1 billion in MENA trading activity during the first half of this year,
a 53.3% increase from the second half of 2024, with the UAE accounting for
71.7% of that total. Tickmill
saw its regional volumes rise 54% year-over-year.
The Dubai
International Financial Centre registered 1,081 new companies in the first half
of 2025, bringing total active entities to 7,700. Financial services
authorizations climbed 28% year-over-year to 78 through June.
Recent
entrants include
XS.com and Exness, both of which secured licenses in October.
Cryptocurrency platforms like Bybit have also moved into the market.
XTB started
giving away 10 free Emaar Properties (EMAAR) shares to new account holders in
its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operations, pairing the promotion with
a series of workshops aimed at novice investors.
The
brokerage, which serves 1.7 million clients globally, is running the offer
under its “Mastering Your Money: The XTB Investor Mindset” program.
New traders joining from Monday can access the shares immediately after opening
accounts, according to company materials.
The
initiative centers on free financial literacy sessions where participants can
interact with traders and learn about market fundamentals. XTB is framing the
approach as education-first, rather than relying solely on account bonuses to
attract customers.
Achraf Drid, Managing Director and Senior Executive Officer at XTB MENA, Source: LinkedIn
“We
believe that the best way to encourage responsible investing is through
education,” said Achraf Drid, Managing Director at XTB MENA. “The
‘Mastering Your Money’ campaign is about providing the right mindset and the
right tools. Our free stock offer is an incentive to get started, but our
workshops ensure that every new client begins with knowledge, strategy, and a
commitment to long-term financial health.”
This is not
the first time XTB has given away shares. A similar campaign took
place in May, featuring General Motors (GM).
Focus on UAE-Listed
Companies
The
promotion highlights Dubai-listed securities, including Emaar, food delivery
platform Talabat, and toll operator Salik. XTB is timing the campaign to
coincide with continued strength in UAE equity markets, where real estate and
infrastructure stocks have maintained positive momentum this year.
Emaar
shares traded at 13.85 dirhams on Monday, up about 6.6% year-to-date, according
to market data. The developer remains one of the Dubai Financial Market’s
largest constituents by market capitalization.
The
promotional strategy differs from traditional cash bonuses or deposit matches
common among brokerages competing for retail clients in the region. Since
March, XTB has operated an office
in Dubai to tailor its offerings to local traders and provide better
on-site support.
The
workshops cover basic investing concepts, technological tools used in trading,
and wealth-building fundamentals. XTB is positioning the sessions as a
foundation for long-term engagement rather than short-term account acquisition.
Brokers Rush Into Middle East
XTB’s
promotional push comes as brokerages flood into the Middle East at an
accelerating pace. The Dubai Financial Services Authority reported
an 18% jump in applications during the first nine months of 2025 compared
to the same period last year, prompting the regulator to launch an automated
licensing platform that cuts approval times by roughly one-third.
Trading
volumes in the region have climbed sharply. Capital.com reported
$804.1 billion in MENA trading activity during the first half of this year,
a 53.3% increase from the second half of 2024, with the UAE accounting for
71.7% of that total. Tickmill
saw its regional volumes rise 54% year-over-year.
The Dubai
International Financial Centre registered 1,081 new companies in the first half
of 2025, bringing total active entities to 7,700. Financial services
authorizations climbed 28% year-over-year to 78 through June.
Recent
entrants include
XS.com and Exness, both of which secured licenses in October.
Cryptocurrency platforms like Bybit have also moved into the market.
