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Regulatory updates

Every UAE regulatory change, as it happens.

New rules, circulars, consultations and notices from UAE regulators, each summarised with who is affected and what to do. Collected by Arakan Lexara from the regulators' own websites.

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All regulatorsDubai Financial Services Authority (70)Federal Tax Authority (46)Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (27)Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM (22)Central Bank of the UAE (19)Ministry of Economy — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision (17)ADGM Registration Authority (10)DIFC Registrar of Companies (10)Federal (Cross-Regulator / Federal Decree-Laws) (2)Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (1)Dubai Land Department (1)Ministry of Finance (1)Real Estate Regulatory Authority — Dubai (1)Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (1)
  1. Federal Tax Authority3 Aug 2026News AnnouncementMedium impact

    FTA Confirms Taxable Persons Eligible for the Small Business Relief Must Submit Simplified Corporate Tax Returns Within Prescribed Legal Deadline

    FTA reminds Small Business Relief-eligible taxable persons (resident entities with revenue not exceeding AED 3 million) that they are still required to file a simplified Corporate Tax return by the legal deadline (30 September 2026 for FY2025 year-ends) and maintain records, even though no tax is due, to avoid late-filing penalties.

  2. ADGM Registration Authority31 Jul 2026Press ReleaseLow impact

    Registration Authority Activates Broker Classification Framework for Real Estate Brokers

    The Registration Authority activated a Broker Classification Framework rating real estate brokers on transaction volume, professional development and customer satisfaction, intended to raise professionalism and transparency in ADGM's real estate market. Real estate brokerage firms operating in ADGM should engage with the RA's classification process.

  3. Ministry of Economy — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision
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Updates are found automatically on regulators' websites and summarised by AI. Check the official source before relying on any item.

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Laws and regulations are issued and published by the relevant UAE authorities; always rely on the official text. Summaries on this page are for information only and are not legal advice.

The selection, arrangement and summaries of this library are Arakan's own work and are protected under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. Automated scraping, bulk copying or republishing of this content without Arakan's written permission is prohibited and may be an offence under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes. See the Terms of Service, Section 5.

29 Jul 2026
Press Release
Low impact

Economic Integration Committee Reviews Measures to Strengthen Corporate Governance and UAE's Anti-Money Laundering Legislative Framework

The Economic Integration Committee, chaired by Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, reviewed ongoing strengthening of the UAE's AML/CFT legislative framework and corporate-governance initiatives, including an 'AI-powered regulatory ecosystem' for economic legislation and finance-lease regulation for non-Central-Bank-regulated entities. Signals continued regulatory tightening ahead but this specific announcement introduced no new binding instrument.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM27 Jul 2026Consultation PaperHigh impactConsultation open

    Proposed Regulatory Framework for Transfer Schemes

    The FSRA proposed a new Chapter 8A of the General Rulebook (GEN) establishing a proportionate framework for transfer schemes (transfers of business within ADGM), retaining mandatory court approval for insurance-business transfers while introducing lighter-touch requirements for other business transfers. Firms considering a portfolio or business transfer should review the proposed regime before the consultation closes.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority24 Jul 2026Enforcement NoticeMedium impact

    VARA Notice of Fines - Shelbit General Trading L.L.C

    VARA imposed a fine on Shelbit General Trading L.L.C. for providing unlicensed virtual-asset services in Dubai.

  • DIFC Registrar of Companies24 Jul 2026Law AmendmentHigh impact

    DIFC Enacts Amendments to the Real Property Law and Regulations

    DIFC enacted the amendments to the Real Property Law and Regulations proposed in Consultation Paper No. 3 of 2025, introducing decennial liability for construction defects, extended lease-registration and freehold transfer-fee deadlines, and new unregistered-lease penalties. This was announced jointly with the Prescribed Company Regulations enactment; the exact DIFC press-release date is a best estimate (24 July 2026) based on secondary legal commentary, as the DIFC source page could not be directly fetched in this research pass — verify against DIFC's own Legal Database before relying on this date.

  • DIFC Registrar of Companies24 Jul 2026Regulations AmendmentHigh impact

    DIFC Enacts Amendments to the Prescribed Company Regulations

    Following the April-June 2026 consultation (Consultation Paper No. 1 of 2026), DIFC enacted amendments broadening access to the Prescribed Company regime and mandating Corporate Service Provider appointment for most Prescribed Companies. Existing Prescribed Companies without a CSP have a transition window to appoint one or confirm Exempt PC status. This enactment was announced by DIFC in a release jointly covering Real Property Law amendments; the precise DIFC press-release date is a best estimate (24 July 2026) drawn from secondary legal commentary, as the DIFC source page itself could not be directly fetched in this research pass.

  • ADGM Registration Authority23 Jul 2026Regulations AmendmentMedium impact

    Commercial Permits Framework — New Sales and Promotions Guidance and Regulations

    The Registration Authority finalised updates to the Commercial Permits framework (following Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2025), introducing streamlined rules and new guidance covering temporary discounts, clearance sales, prize campaigns, product launches and promotional stands, aimed at improving regulatory clarity and consumer protection.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM23 Jul 2026News AnnouncementMedium impact

    Tether's XAU₮ Recognised as Accepted Spot Commodity in ADGM

    The FSRA recognised Tether's gold-backed token XAU₮ as an accepted spot commodity within ADGM's regulatory framework, a notable precedent for how commodity-backed digital tokens are treated under the Market Rulebook. Firms trading or custodying commodity-backed tokens should note this classification precedent.

  • Federal Tax Authority22 Jul 2026Ministerial DecisionMedium impact

    Ministerial Decision No. 64 of 2025 (as Amended) on Eligibility and Accreditation of E-Invoicing Service Providers

    Republishes/amends the Accredited Service Provider eligibility, accreditation, ongoing evaluation and termination framework for the e-invoicing system, including two-year renewable accreditation periods. Amendment issued 29 April 2026; published 22 July 2026.

  • Federal Tax Authority22 Jul 2026Guide UpdateMedium impact

    FTA Directives on Tax Transactions Nos. 1 to 5 of 2026

    Five technical directives clarifying the VAT treatment of specific transaction types: judicial expert services, VAT group adjustments, digital currency conversion, life insurance fees, and deemed supply valuations. Issued between 10 and 22 July 2026.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority15 Jul 2026Enforcement NoticeMedium impact

    DFSA Awarded Legal Costs in Al Ramz Tribunal Proceedings

    The Financial Markets Tribunal upheld DFSA's original USD 25,000 fine against Al Ramz Capital LLC and, in a first for DFSA, awarded the DFSA approximately USD 143,000 in legal costs after finding the firm acted unreasonably in prolonging its challenge — a precedent that firms unreasonably contesting DFSA decisions before the FMT may now face cost awards against them.

  • Federal Tax Authority14 Jul 2026FTA DecisionMedium impact

    FTA Decision No. 6 of 2026 on Additional Procedures for Qualifying Free Zone Person Compliance

    Sets additional procedural requirements Qualifying Free Zone Persons must follow to demonstrate and maintain compliance with the 0% Corporate Tax rate conditions. Issued 2 June 2026; published 14 July 2026.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority9 Jul 2026Consultation PaperMedium impactConsultation open

    Consultation Paper No 174 – Miscellaneous Changes

    CP174 proposes miscellaneous rulebook changes including revised Investment Token and Crypto Token definitions, elimination of Credit Rating Agency fee/charge disclosure requirements, and streamlined reporting requirements.

  • Federal Tax Authority9 Jul 2026FTA DecisionLow impact

    FTA Decision No. 2 of 2018 (as Amended) on the Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme

    Updates the rules governing the Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme (the digital tourist VAT refund system), which the FTA separately reported had grown to over 19,300 connected retail outlets by August 2026. Amendment issued 1 July 2026; published 9 July 2026.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority9 Jul 2026GuidanceMedium impact

    9th Audit Monitoring Report – Setting the Standard in Audit Quality within DIFC

    DFSA's ninth audit monitoring report (covering Jan 2024-Dec 2025, 26 audit firms, 93 engagement files) found improved audit quality overall; flagged five priority areas (opinion rationale, investment valuation, related-party assessment, revenue recognition testing, continuous risk evaluation) and signalled upcoming inspection focus on QMS, AI use in audits, and governance/culture. Relevant to DIFC-registered auditors and the firms they audit.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority7 Jul 2026Regulatory NoticeHigh impactConsultation open

    Notice of Consultation Paper Release: CP 173

    Formal DFSA notice announcing release of CP173 (Collective Investment Funds framework overhaul) for public consultation, with comments due 7 September 2026.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority7 Jul 2026Consultation PaperHigh impactConsultation open

    Consultation Paper No 173 – Proposals to Enhance the DFSA's Collective Investment Funds Framework

    DFSA's most substantial funds-framework review since 2010: proposes risk-based fund classifications replacing rigid private fund categories, clarifies dealing/arranging as integral to investment management licences, removes the external fund manager regime, updates master-feeder eligibility, expands employee investment options, and seeks preliminary views on tokenised fund units and a retail long-term investment fund regime. Affects CIR, GEN, GLO, FER, IFR and MKT modules.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority2 Jul 2026Rule AmendmentMedium impact

    Notice of Amendments to Legislation: July 2026 (CP171 – PIB/COB Miscellaneous Changes)

    Following CP171, DFSA finalised amendments to the PIB module's K-ASA/K-AUM calculation methodology (arithmetic mean of prior six months' month-end values) and removed the COB module's trade settlement date reconciliation requirement.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority2 Jul 2026Press ReleaseLow impact

    VARA Issues 50th VASP Licence as Dubai's Regulated Virtual Assets Market Continues to Grow

    VARA announced it had issued its 50th Virtual Asset Service Provider licence, to Tribe Tokenisation FZE, marking continued growth of Dubai's regulated virtual-asset market since VARA's 2022 establishment. This milestone announcement was carried via Reuters/Zawya wire reporting citing VARA rather than found as a standalone post on VARA's own news index at the time of research, so treat the exact wording as secondary-sourced.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority2 Jul 2026News AnnouncementLow impact

    DFSA confirms admission of UAE's inaugural Sovereign Retail Treasury Sukuk listing on Nasdaq Dubai

    DFSA approved the UAE's first sovereign retail sukuk for listing/trading on Nasdaq Dubai, the first government-issued sukuk targeted at individual (not just institutional) investors on the DIFC exchange, expanding capital markets access.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority30 Jun 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

    Dear SEO Letter: Cyber Risk Self-Assessment 2026

    DFSA launched its 2026 Cyber Risk Self-Assessment survey via the ePortal, referencing General Module Rule 5.5 cybersecurity requirements, with a submission deadline of 24 July 2026.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority29 Jun 2026GuidanceMedium impact

    Conduct Supervisory Pulse: Personal Account Dealing

    DFSA's first Conduct Supervisory Pulse examined Personal Account Dealing practices at DIFC brokerage firms, flagging over-reliance on employee self-declarations and insufficient post-trade monitoring; firms should self-assess PAD arrangements against the six evaluation areas identified. Precedes further pulses on best execution and record-keeping.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority26 Jun 2026Press ReleaseLow impact

    DFSA Annual Report 2025 published

    DFSA published its Annual Report 2025, highlighting sector growth of 182 newly licensed firms and 1,050 total regulated entities in the DIFC. Informational; date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority24 Jun 2026Enforcement NoticeMedium impact

    VARA Notice of Fines - Peken Global Limited ("Kucoin")

    VARA imposed a financial penalty on Peken Global Limited, operator of the KuCoin exchange brand, for unlicensed virtual-asset activity targeting Dubai, following its March 2026 investor alert.

  • Central Bank of the UAE24 Jun 2026Enforcement NoticeMedium impact

    CBUAE fines a foreign bank branch AED 20 million and its head of compliance AED 300,000 for AML/CFT failures

    CBUAE imposed a AED 20 million financial sanction on an unnamed foreign bank branch operating in the UAE for 'significant, repeated failures' in its AML/CFT framework, and separately fined the branch's head of compliance AED 300,000 for failing to fulfil his AML oversight responsibilities. This signals CBUAE's continued individual-accountability enforcement approach for MLRO/compliance officers, not just institutions.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority22 Jun 2026Enforcement NoticeMedium impact

    VARA Notice of Fines - CoinMENA FZE

    VARA imposed a fine on licensed VASP CoinMENA FZE (licence ref VL/23/09/001) for a rulebook compliance breach; notable as an example of VARA's active supervisory enforcement against its own licensees, not only unlicensed operators.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority22 Jun 2026Enforcement NoticeMedium impact

    VARA Notice of Fines - MX Global LTD ("MEXC")

    VARA imposed a financial penalty on MX Global LTD, operator of the MEXC exchange brand, for providing virtual-asset services in or from Dubai without a VARA licence, following its March 2026 public alert.

  • DIFC Registrar of Companies18 Jun 2026Consultation PaperHigh impact

    Proposed Amendments to DIFC Data Protection Regulations - AI and Autonomous Systems (Regulation 10 and new Regulation 11)

    DIFC proposed strengthening Regulation 10 (safe, ethical, privacy-by-design development of AI/autonomous systems processing personal data) and introducing a new Regulation 11 empowering the Commissioner of Data Protection to recognize AI accreditation and certification schemes, alongside clarifying the responsibilities of the Autonomous Systems Officer (ASO). No formal consultation paper number was disclosed in secondary sources reviewed.

  • DIFC Registrar of Companies17 Jun 2026Consultation PaperMedium impact

    Proposed Amendments to DIFC Arbitration Law (re-titled 'Arbitration and Mediation Law')

    DIFC proposed a major overhaul of DIFC Law No. 1 of 2008 (Arbitration Law), re-titling it the 'Arbitration and Mediation Law' and introducing formal recognition of electronic communications, asymmetrical arbitration agreements, tribunal power to order security for costs and issue summary awards, third-party funding disclosure duties, an emergency arbitrator framework for urgent pre-tribunal relief, and a new mediation section governing the DIFC Mediation Centre. Publication date reported variously as 17-18 June 2026 across secondary sources.