UAE’s DB Group steps up FX push with AI-powered tools, borderless payments and institutional prime services
DB Group Holding Limited unveiled a coordinated upgrade across its retail trading, payments and institutional businesses, aiming to knit together a single ecosystem that could reshape how regional traders access FX, multi-asset liquidity and cross‑border cash management.
Retail trading: AI research and faster execution
DB’s retail platform is rolling out the Acuity AI Research Terminal alongside an Instant Trade button designed to speed up order entry and support data‑driven decisions. The brokerage now lists more than 20,000 instruments spanning forex, indices, equities, commodities, metals, ETFs, bonds and cryptocurrencies via MT5, proprietary tools and mobile apps. The company is expanding its footprint with new offices planned in Oman and Saudi Arabia in Q1 2026.
“We’re not just scaling. We’re solving real user problems,” CEO Gennaro Lanza said, underscoring a product roadmap centered on execution quality and usability.
DB Pay: cross‑border accounts for freelancers and SMEs
Set to launch this year and now in final testing, DB Pay offers instant IBAN accounts, multi‑currency balances and a single dashboard for global receivables and payouts. Crypto exchange functionality is slated to follow, giving users the option to manage digital assets alongside fiat. Lanza said the product is intended to return “control” to creators and entrepreneurs who need speed and transparency in global money movement.
DBI Prime: institutional‑grade liquidity and infrastructure
DBI Prime, the group’s institutional arm, targets banks, hedge funds and professional partners with multi‑asset liquidity, FIX API connectivity and white‑label brokerage solutions. Backed by DB’s regulatory permissions and Tier‑1 bank integrations, the venue is positioned to deliver precision execution and scalable infrastructure for partners seeking to spin up brokerages or enhance their FX and CFD offerings.
Marketing scale and regional visibility
The group strengthened its go‑to‑market operations by appointing Reno Mindemann as Head of Growth and Karthik Arumugam as Head of Marketing Operations. DB says media reach has surged tenfold in recent quarters, reflecting accelerated customer acquisition and brand penetration across core MENA and emerging markets.
Why it matters for FX and multi‑asset markets
– Liquidity and spreads: Additional institutional liquidity and FIX API access from DBI Prime could tighten spreads and improve fill quality for regional brokers and systematic traders, particularly during high‑volatility FX sessions and macro event risk.
– Payments and funding: DB Pay’s multi‑currency IBANs aim to reduce friction in deposits/withdrawals and treasury management—key pain points for active FX traders and cross‑border SMEs.
– AI in research: Embedding AI terminals into retail workflows may compress the information gap, potentially increasing turnover in major USD pairs, gold and oil-linked FX crosses popular with MENA traders.
– Regulatory coverage: Operating under a multi‑jurisdictional framework—including the SCA (UAE), FSA (Seychelles), FINTRAC (Canada) and FSC (Mauritius)—supports onboarding across diverse client segments while maintaining compliance.
Awards and upcoming milestones
DB capped the year with two accolades: “Best IB & Affiliate Program” at Affiliate Summit Dubai 2025 and “Entrepreneur CEO of the Year” for Lanza at the Burj CEO Awards. The group plans to showcase its fintech stack at the Qatar Finance Expo this December, while preparing for regional office launches in 2026.
Key points
- DB introduces AI research tools and an Instant Trade button to enhance retail FX and multi‑asset execution.
- DB Pay set to launch with instant IBANs, multi‑currency management and planned crypto exchange functionality.
- DBI Prime offers multi‑asset liquidity, FIX API and white‑label brokerage for institutions and partners.
- Marketing revamp delivers a 10x increase in media reach; new growth leaders appointed.
- Regulatory footprint spans UAE, Seychelles, Canada and Mauritius; presence includes Dubai, Seychelles, Cyprus, Nigeria and Malta.
- New offices planned in Oman and Saudi Arabia in Q1 2026; presence at Qatar Finance Expo scheduled for December.
Market context
With higher‑for‑longer rates keeping dollar funding tight and FX volatility elevated around key data prints, brokers with deeper liquidity pipes and faster execution stand to capture flow, particularly in G10 and oil‑sensitive EM pairs. In MENA, retail participation remains robust, while institutions seek scalable white‑label solutions to expand their product sets. DB’s unified approach—trading, payments and prime—aims to reduce frictions from research to settlement, a combination that could attract both active traders and regional financial firms, BPayNews notes.
FAQ
What is DBI Prime and who is it for?
DBI Prime is DB Group’s institutional platform providing multi‑asset liquidity, FIX API trading and white‑label brokerage solutions for banks, hedge funds, proprietary trading firms and professional partners.
How does DB Pay help traders and SMEs?
DB Pay offers instant IBAN accounts, multi‑currency balances and a consolidated dashboard for global payments, helping reduce funding delays, FX conversion costs and reconciliation headaches for active traders, freelancers and remote‑first teams.
Which assets can clients trade on DB’s platforms?
DB supports more than 20,000 instruments across forex, indices, stocks, commodities, metals, ETFs, bonds and cryptocurrencies via MT5 and proprietary platforms.
When will DB Pay launch?
The product is in final testing and scheduled to launch this year, with crypto exchange functionality planned thereafter.
Where is DB regulated?
DB operates under a multi‑jurisdictional framework including the Securities and Commodities Authority (UAE), the Financial Services Authority (Seychelles), FINTRAC (Canada) and the Financial Services Commission (Mauritius).
What’s next on DB’s roadmap?
DB plans to open offices in Oman and Saudi Arabia in Q1 2026 and will present its fintech ecosystem at the Qatar Finance Expo this December.
