Traders in the UAE ramped up activity in the first quarter of 2026 as volatile global markets created significant short-term opportunities, according to new data from Capital.com.
The UAE CFD trading platform reported $1.27 trillion in client trading volumes between January and March, an 11.2% increase on the previous quarter, with the Middle East, and the UAE in particular, ranking among its most active regions.
From a UAE trader’s perspective, the quarter was defined by three major themes: record-breaking gold prices, regulatory-driven crypto volatility, and sharp swings in oil markets tied to geopolitical tensions in the region.
Gold trading in the UAE dominated early in the quarter, accounting for 59% of January’s trading volume as prices surged on central bank buying and a weaker US dollar. For many UAE-based traders, gold remains a familiar hedge during uncertainty, and January’s rally provided strong momentum-driven trading opportunities.
Attention then shifted to cryptocurrency trading in the UAE in February, where regulatory developments across major economies triggered sharp price swings. This environment favoured short-term traders comfortable navigating rapid intraday volatility.
However, it was oil that proved most relevant for regional traders. In March, escalating tensions involving Iran and supply concerns across the Middle East drove extreme volatility in crude markets. On 2 March alone, oil trading volumes surged 649% in a single session, highlighting how quickly regional news translated into trading activity.
Despite the opportunities, the data also highlights the risks. Only 22.4% of positions used stop-loss orders, although those that did consistently limited losses more effectively during volatile periods.
Tarik Chebib, CEO Middle East, Capital.com, said on the Q1 2026 trading data:
Q1 2026 brought three significant market events — gold at successive record highs in January, crypto volatility in February, and sustained Middle East conflict that drove two distinct waves of oil trading activity in March.
Each event created a different kind of decision pressure for participants. Trading volumes of $1.27 trillion reflect those conditions.
Capital.com exists to help people make better decisions under exactly these kinds of circumstances — not by predicting markets, but by giving clients the tools, context, and structure to manage their own behaviour when conditions are most demanding. That remains the focus.”
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
