Riding High on MENA Success, Capital.com Targets South Africa for Next Phase of Expansion

After cementing its status as a powerhouse in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Capital.com is turning its gaze southward. The CFD brokerage, having reported massive trading volumes from the Gulf region, has reportedly applied for a license in South Africa as it seeks to capture the continent's most developed financial market.

The MENA Powerhouse

The push into new territories comes off the back of stellar performance metrics that highlight a significant shift in the broker's client base. According to recent disclosures, the MENA region has become the primary engine of growth for Capital.com, accounting for a staggering 52% of its total trading volume in the first half of the year.

What makes this figure particularly striking is the “quality over quantity” dynamic of the client base. While Europe still holds a larger headcount—61,400 active traders compared to MENAs 35,000—the European market contributed only 15% of the total trading volume. This suggests that Capital.com has successfully tapped into a high-net-worth demographic in the Middle East that trades significantly larger positions than their European counterparts.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out as the crown jewel of this operation. Of the $804.1 billion in volume processed across the MENA region, nearly 71.7% originated from UAE-based traders. This aligns with broader regional trends, where competitors like CFI Financial are also reporting record-breaking numbers, with volumes hitting $1.51 trillion in Q2 2025 alone.

The Move South

With the Middle East firing on all cylinders, Capital.com is now looking to replicate that success in South Africa. Sources indicate the broker has applied for a local regulatory license—likely the OTC Derivatives Products (ODP) license—which has become the gold standard for operating in the country.

While a company representative stopped short of officially confirming the specific South African application, they acknowledged that exploring “new licenses in several markets” is central to their current global strategy. They emphasized that any new product launches would adhere to strict compliance and transparency standards.

The South African market presents a lucrative but competitive landscape. If approved, Capital.com will join a crowded field of recent entrants, including EBC Financial, Mitrade, and Monaxa. Industry giant Exness also recently doubled down on the region by opening a hub in Cape Town. However, the market isn't without its challenges; earlier this year, IG Group decided to close its local South African operations, proving that success in the region requires a tailored approach.

A Global Blitz

South Africa is merely one component of a broader global strategy. Since its 2017 debut, Capital.com has secured key licenses across the UK, Australia, and Cyprus. The current roadmap reportedly targets complex markets like Japan and Turkey, alongside a specific push into Latin America, evidenced by leadership recruitment in Brazil and Chile.

Simultaneously, the broker is upgrading its technological backbone. New investments in scalable infrastructure and blockchain suggest plans to widen asset offerings, potentially deepening crypto capabilities as the regulatory footprint grows.