How to Start Precious Metals Trading in DMCC, the Heart of the World's No. 2 Gold Hub
The UAE is the world's second-largest physical gold trading hub after Switzerland. We explain DMCC's precious metals ecosystem with concrete figures.
For trading companies considering international trade in gold and precious metals, Dubai has become impossible to ignore. The UAE is now the world's second-largest physical gold trading hub after Switzerland, having overtaken the United Kingdom in 2023. At the heart of this is DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre).
This article is part of our series on the complete guide to DMCC.
DMCC's precious metals trade in numbers
- The UAE's precious metals trade reached approximately AED 625 billion (USD 170 billion) in 2024, up 27% year on year and 79% over two years.
- More than 1,500 companies in precious metals, gemstones and diamonds are registered with DMCC.
- In 2025, DMCC unveiled the world's largest silver bar (1,971 kg), certified by Guinness World Records, and tokenised it on Tradeflow, DMCC's blockchain-based platform.
The infrastructure behind DMCC's precious metals ecosystem
The global trust in DMCC's precious metals trade rests on infrastructure that goes well beyond a trading venue.
Working together, these components form an ecosystem in which trading, storage and settlement can be handled end to end.
Who this is for
- Specialist trading companies dealing in precious metals and jewellery
- Manufacturers whose supply chains include the procurement or inventory management of gold and silver
- Companies considering a hub for precious metals distribution across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
A DMCC licence gives access to this infrastructure and to a trading network that would be difficult to build alone — one of its main attractions.
How Biz Easy supports you
Biz Easy does not stop at company formation. We are an advisory firm whose strength is seeing the work through — from strategy and company setup to visas, bank account opening and day-to-day operations. We offer Big Four-level expertise at a more accessible cost.
Since our founding in 2021, we have supported more than 200 companies expanding into the Middle East and Africa. Please feel free to contact us about setting up a DMCC company for precious metals or commodities trading. For the tax details, see our complete guide to QFZP.
The UAE is the world's second-largest physical gold trading hub, and DMCC offers end-to-end infrastructure including the Dubai Good Delivery standard, DGCX and Tradeflow. For specialist precious metals and jewellery traders, and for manufacturers whose supply chains include gold and silver, access to a trading network that would be difficult to build alone is a major attraction.
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