Pepperstone has named two executives to lead its operations in the Middle East region as the brokerage continues to expand its perpetual contract for differences (CFD) offering.
The Australian firm appointed Youssef Kabbani as the new regional director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He will be based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and report directly to the company’s chief operating officer.
Kabbani brings significant experience in the financial services sector to his new role. Previously, he served as the chief executive officer of Alpari Middle East, where he managed the firm’s operations across multiple jurisdictions. The appointment signals Pepperstone’s intention to deepen its presence in a market that has shown strong growth potential for online trading platforms.
Joining him is Gregory Maloney, who has been named the head of sales for the Middle East. Maloney will focus on growing the brokerage’s client base and strengthening relationships with institutional partners in the region. His previous experience includes senior sales roles at other major financial institutions.
Expanding perpetual CFDs
The leadership changes come as Pepperstone moves forward with its plans to launch perpetual CFDs. These financial instruments are similar to futures contracts but do not have an expiration date, offering traders more flexibility in managing their positions.
The company has been actively developing this product suite over the past year. Perpetual CFDs allow traders to hold positions indefinitely, which can be particularly useful in volatile markets where timing the exit is difficult. This product aligns with a broader industry trend toward offering more sophisticated tools for active traders.
While the product rollout is progressing, the brokerage faces a complex regulatory environment in the region. Different countries within the Middle East have varying rules regarding foreign brokers and financial advertising. Managing these diverse regulatory settings requires a robust local presence.
Pepperstone’s decision to place Kabbani and Maloney in Dubai suggests a focus on leveraging the city’s status as a global financial hub. The firm will need to handle local compliance requirements while attracting traders who are increasingly sophisticated in their trading strategies.
Analysts suggest that the launch of perpetual CFDs could attract a specific segment of high-volume traders who prefer not to manage rolling expiration dates. However, the success of this product will largely depend on the execution quality and the ability to maintain liquidity in the underlying markets.
Online trading platforms in the region are adapting to these changes by offering a wider variety of instruments to meet client demand. [1]Russia permits crypto CFD trading for qualified investors, showing a similar trend toward diversification. Pepperstone’s move to appoint leadership in Dubai and introduce perpetual contracts positions the firm well for this competitive environment.