Abu dhabi: Capital.com, a global fintech company specializing in online trading platforms, has revealed its Q1 2026 trading platform update, showing $1.27 trillion in client trading volumes from January to March 2026. This marks an increase of 11.2 percent from the $1.14 trillion in Q4 2025.
According to Emirates News Agency, the total number of trades executed rose by 81 percent year-on-year compared to Q1 2025. January emerged as the most active month in the six-month observation period, with approximately $502 billion in trading volume, up 11.5 percent from October 2025, the next highest month. This uptick was primarily driven by sustained increases in gold prices and central bank purchasing at a 25-year high.
The Middle East played a significant role in the total trading volume for the quarter, with the UAE ranking among the top three markets alongside Germany and the United Kingdom. This trend was consistent with Q4 2025 regional patterns, reflecting participation across the jurisdictions where Capital.com holds regulatory authorization.
Tarik Chebib, CEO Middle East at Capital.com, highlighted three major market events in Q1 2026: record highs in gold prices in January, volatility in the crypto market in February, and ongoing Middle East conflict that influenced oil trading activities in March. Each event created distinct decision-making pressures for market participants.
Gold Spot emerged as the most actively traded instrument in Q1 2026, representing approximately 59 percent of January's platform volume. The rise in gold trading was fueled by central bank purchasing at a 25-year high, a weakening US dollar, and sustained geopolitical tension.