• About the DME
• Membership
• Trading on the DME
• DME Oman Crude Oil Futures Contract (OQD)
• DME Oman Crude Oil Financial Contract (ZGD)
• Information Technology
• Legal, Counterparty Risk, Clearing & Settlement

Q. What is the DME's membership structure?
A. The DME's membership structure aims to attract a mix of local, regional and international market participants to the DME. In addition to satisfying the DME membership criteria due diligence process, all potential Members will have to be authorized, recognized or otherwise permitted by the DFSA to conduct the activities which it intends to conduct while trading on the DME.

The DME has three categories of membership: Equity, Off-Floor and Clearing Members.

• Equity Members:

Are those entities that have equity stakes in the Exchange and have the right to access and to trade on the Trading Platform, subject to all applicable laws and regulations.

• Off-Floor Members:

Are those entities that have the right to access and to trade on the Trading Platform, subject to all applicable laws and regulations.

• Clearing Members:

Clearing members are permitted to have the ability to clear DME transactions. DME Clearing Members must also be NYMEX Clearing Members.

For more details, please see the membership section of the website.

Q. What type of entity can become an Equity Member?
A. An entity applying for Equity Membership status can be from anywhere in the world subject to DME having the appropriate local permissions to allow access to the CME Globex® trading platform.

Q. What type of entity can become an Off-Floor Member?
A. An entity applying for Off-Floor Membership status can be from anywhere in the world subject to the DME having the appropriate local permissions to allow access to the CME Globex® trading platform. An application for Off-Floor Membership can be obtained by emailing DME′s Membership Department (membership@dubaimerc.com).

Q. How can an entity become a Clearing Member?
A. To become a DME Clearing Member, an entity must already be a NYMEX Clearing Member. If an entity is already a NYMEX Clearing Member it must apply to the DFSA for Recognised Member Status and satisfy the additional DME Rule Book criteria for membership. An application for Clearing Membership can be obtained by emailing DME′s Membership Department (membership@dubaimerc.com).

Q. Can an entity have more than one type of membership?
A. Yes, an entity can have more than one type of membership and/or may have more than one membership of a particular type.

Q. Can DME Clearing Members trade as well as clear DME trades?
A. Yes.

Q. Can an individual be a Member?
A. Retail clients are not permitted to be DME Members.

Q. Can only Members trade on the DME?
A. No, Non-Members can trade on the DME, so long as they meet the DME Rulebook requirements to become a Guaranteed Customer.

Q. How can an entity become a Guaranteed Customer?
A. A Guaranteed Customer is not a Member, but rather a customer that has direct access to the trading platform for the purpose of trading DME contracts. The Guaranteed Customer trades under the guarantee of their Clearing Member. In order to be a Guaranteed Customer, an entity needs to have an account with a DME Clearing Member and meet the requirements set out in Chapter 4 of the DME Rulebook. In addition, the Clearing Member must provide the DME with certain information concerning the Guaranteed Customer before trading can commence. In particular, a Guaranteed Customer must agree to be bound by the DME Rules before they commence trading. The DME Clearing Member can facilitate electronic access to the DME, or else the Guaranteed Customer can trade via one of the CME Globex® certified Independent Software Vendors (ISVs).

Last Updated: 25/10/2010