International fintech and financial services provider Rostro Group has secured a Category 5 licence from the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy. The approval allows the group to deepen its operations within the United Arab Emirates, positioning it as a regulated and compliant participant in the country’s rapidly evolving financial ecosystem.
The licence is a key component of Rostro Group’s long-term commitment to the region, enabling it to offer a suite of new products tailored specifically for the local market. These include access to over 60 regional contract for difference (CFD) equities and proprietary indices designed to track the performance of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets.
Aligning with a ‘future-ready’ financial hub
The approval comes as the SCA continues to strengthen its oversight and raise industry standards across the UAE. For Rostro Group, the licence serves as a validation of its adherence to these rigorous expectations regarding transparency, investor protection, and responsible market engagement.
Michael Ayres, chief executive officer of Rostro Group, who leads the group from the UAE and has extensive experience in the region’s fintech sector, highlighted the strategic importance of the jurisdiction.
“We at Rostro Group see the UAE as one of the most forward-thinking financial centres, one that will soon rival leading centres like London, Singapore or New York,” Ayres said. “Securing this licence deepens our alignment with the country’s vision to build a tech-first, institutionally robust financial ecosystem and propels our contribution to its next phase of growth.”
New products for institutional and retail clients
Rostro Group operates a multi-brand structure designed to serve diverse investor categories. Its Scope Prime division caters to institutional clients, providing liquidity and trading infrastructure, while Scope Markets focuses on retail individuals.
With the new regulatory approval, the group is rolling out specific services for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Scope Prime is now positioned to provide multi-asset prime brokerage services to financial institutions across the GCC. Meanwhile, the retail-facing Scope Markets division will offer account types denominated in multiple currencies, including AED and USD, supported by newly established local banking relationships.
The expansion of the product suite to include over 60 regional CFD equities and dedicated indices for the Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets reflects the group’s strategy to provide localised, relevant trading opportunities alongside global access.
Building a unified ecosystem
Founded in 2021 by Roger Hambury and led by Michael Ayres, Rostro Group has quickly established itself as a diversified fintech group operating multiple brokerage brands and investing in financial technology businesses.
The company stated that the new licence allows it to operate in line with the UAE’s high expectations for the financial sector. By securing local banking partners and regulatory approval, Rostro aims to remove friction for local clients and contribute to the “tech-first” vision of the UAE’s financial leadership.
“Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s rapid evolution into a future-ready financial ecosystem is unmatched,” Ayres added. The group intends to leverage this environment to scale its operations and offer a unified global ecosystem for its clients, bridging the gap between traditional financial markets and the emerging digital economy.