Dubai Clear and Nasdaq Dubai Awarded Prestigious European Tier 1 Recognition, a First for MENA Region
In a landmark achievement for the Middle East’s financial sector, Dubai Clear, a subsidiary of the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), and Nasdaq Dubai have been formally granted Tier 1 Third-Country Central Counterparty (CCP) recognition by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The designation, effective 31st December 2025, marks a transformative milestone for the UAE’s capital markets infrastructure.
This elite status, now uniquely held by Dubai’s clearinghouses within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is a powerful endorsement of the UAE’s robust financial market frameworks. It solidifies Dubai’s position as a globally recognized hub for post-trade services that meet the most stringent international standards.
ESMA’s decision formally confirms that the regulatory frameworks governing Dubai Clear (overseen by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority – SCA) and Nasdaq Dubai (regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority – DFSA) are fully aligned with the rigorous European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). This equivalence judgment is a testament to the strength, maturity, and international credibility of Dubai’s dual regulatory environment and its commitment to global best practices in risk management, transparency, and market oversight.
As the licensed central counterparties for Dubai, Dubai Clear and Nasdaq Dubai are foundational to the integrity and stability of the emirate’s post-trade ecosystem. By mitigating counterparty risk and ensuring settlement finality, they provide the essential safety net that supports the long-term growth, innovation, and international integration of Dubai’s capital markets.
This recognition also underscores the deepening collaborative relationship between UAE and European financial regulators. It reaffirms Dubai’s long-standing and unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of transparency, financial stability, and world-class market infrastructure, paving the way for the next phase of its development as a leading global financial centre.
