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In March 2026, XTB MENA's Dubai operations faced a critical stress test following Iranian missile strikes on UAE soil, which triggered the first-ever trading suspensions on Abu Dhabi and Dubai stock exchanges. Energy markets reacted sharply, with Brent crude surging 13%, gold hitting $5,390 per ounce, and natural gas climbing 38% in a single session. XTB's CFD operations continued uninterrupted, highlighting the firm's risk management resilience during the crisis. The incident exposed structural divides among Dubai-based brokers, with firms holding multi-jurisdictional licenses better positioned to navigate the volatility compared to those fully committed to UAE regulations. For traders, the event underscores the importance of geopolitical risk management and diversified regulatory strategies in volatile markets. Moving forward, the performance of Dubai-based brokers during such crises will serve as a benchmark for assessing their long-term viability in the Gulf region.
