Effective 1 January 2026, two comprehensive Federal Decree-Laws entered into force, reshaping the UAE's capital market regulatory framework and renaming the country's principal financial regulator from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) to the Capital Market Authority (CMA).
Key Changes
Who Will Be Affected?
Benefits
Key Changes
- The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has been renamed the Capital Market Authority (CMA).
- The CMA's regulatory mandate has been expanded to cover new asset classes, including crypto-assets and alternative investments.
- UAE capital market regulations have been further aligned with IOSCO standards and ISO 20022.
- Listing and securities issuance procedures have been simplified for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- A regulatory framework has been introduced for non-custodial platforms and decentralized finance (DeFi).
- Investor protection measures and dispute resolution procedures have been strengthened.
Who Will Be Affected?
- Companies planning to issue shares or bonds through public offerings.
- Investment funds, asset management firms, and brokerage companies.
- Retail and institutional investors.
- Crypto-asset trading platforms and alternative investment providers.
- Foreign portfolio investors operating in the UAE.
Benefits
- Greater integration of the UAE capital market with international regulatory standards.
- Expanded investment opportunities in digital assets and emerging asset classes.
- Easier access to capital markets for growing SMEs.
- Issuers should update their disclosure documents to comply with the new CMA requirements.
- Brokers and investment managers should review their licensing and registration status.
- Market participants should transition to the CMA's updated reporting systems where applicable.