Market access is only the starting point: IC at Forex Expo Dubai 2026

IC, formerly IC Markets Global, took part in Forex Expo Dubai 2026, held on 22–23 September at the Dubai World Trade Centre, joining more than 16,000 traders, brokers and industry professionals on the opening day. The broker was also recognised as "World's Most Trusted Broker" at the event.

In an executive interview, Jason Hughes, General Manager of IC MENA, said access to markets is no longer what distinguishes a broker. He pointed to execution, technology, infrastructure and reliability as the factors that matter most, particularly when markets are moving quickly. Hughes referenced IC's nearly 20-year presence in the market, arguing that serious traders want infrastructure that has proven itself over time. The company said it continues to invest in execution, connectivity and access to liquidity so that the technology behind each order performs consistently during periods of heightened volatility.

Hughes also described the regional trading landscape as increasingly international and sophisticated. Traders in the UAE and the wider region, he said, have exposure to different markets, asset classes and regions, and expect the same technology, access and service they would get from a global financial centre. He added that serving them requires global capability alongside local market understanding. Greater use of automation, advanced tools and multi-asset strategies is raising the bar for brokers further, he noted.

On 23 September, Hughes joined the leadership panel "Running FX and Crypto Risk from a Well-Tested UAE Hub". The session examined how firms should react when geopolitics, policy announcements and social media move markets almost simultaneously. Discussion covered how quickly a brokerage should adjust its risk posture after a major geopolitical event, how well-prepared firms manage liquidity and client exposure during extreme volatility, and the advantages and challenges of running FX and crypto risk from the UAE as the country develops as an international financial hub.

At IC's stand, the TGR Haas F1 Team show car and a race simulator drew steady crowds across both days. Hughes drew a parallel between motorsport and trading: "Motorsport and trading are very different worlds, but the common thread is performance under pressure. It comes from preparation, precision, technology and the ability to make good decisions when it matters most."

IC was founded in 2007 in Australia and offers access to instruments across Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, bonds and cryptocurrencies. The broker says it is trusted by traders in more than 200 countries and was ranked No. 1 globally for retail FX and other volumes in the Finance Magnates Q4 report.