SCA (Securities & Commodities Authority)
هيئة الأوراق المالية والسلع
The SCA is the federal regulator of onshore capital markets in the UAE. It supervises the Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, licenses brokers, investment managers, advisers and promoters operating onshore, approves public offerings and fund promotions, and enforces market conduct rules against insider trading and manipulation. Crucially for foreign firms, promoting securities or funds to onshore UAE investors generally requires SCA licensing or registration — a trap for offshore managers marketing into the country. The SCA also shares crypto-asset oversight with other regulators at the federal level. Retail investors meet the SCA through its investor protection and complaint channels; financial institutions meet it in licensing and enforcement. Lawyers advise on SCA approvals for offerings, marketing restrictions, and defence in market-abuse investigations.
Also in
هيئة الأوراق المالية والسلع هي الجهة الاتحادية المنظمة لأسواق رأس المال داخل الدولة. تشرف الهيئة على سوق دبي المالي وسوق أبوظبي للأوراق المالية، وترخص الوسطاء ومديري الاستثمار والمستشارين والمروجين، وتعتمد الطروحات العامة وترويج الصناديق، وتنفذ قواعد سلوك السوق ضد التداول بناءً على معلومات داخلية والتلاعب. ويتطلب ترويج الأوراق المالية أو الصناديق للمستثمرين داخل الدولة ترخيصاً أو قيداً لدى الهيئة، وهو ما يغفل عنه كثير من المديرين الأجانب. ويعمل المحامون على موافقات الطروحات وقيود التسويق والدفاع في تحقيقات إساءة استخدام السوق.
Related terms
Security Cheque
A security cheque is a cheque handed over not as immediate payment but as a guarantee — for a loan, a lease, a credit fa
Sanadak
Sanadak is the UAE's independent ombudsman unit for resolving consumer complaints against banks, finance companies and i
AECB (Al Etihad Credit Bureau)
Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB) is the federal company that compiles credit records on individuals and businesses in the
Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
Anti-money laundering is the UAE's framework of laws and controls aimed at preventing criminal proceeds from entering th
Bank Guarantee
A bank guarantee (letter of guarantee) is a bank's independent undertaking to pay a beneficiary a stated amount if the b
CBUAE (Central Bank of the UAE)
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is the federal regulator of banks, exchange houses, finance companies, payment servi
Related legislation
Federal Decree by Law No. (6) of 2025 Regarding the Central Bank, Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities, and Insurance Business
Federal Law No. (2) of 1989 for Allowing the Citizens of GCC Countries to Practice the Whole or Retail Trade in the Country
Law No. (24) of 2009 Establishing the Dubai Financial Support Fund
Need advice on this?
Contact a verified UAE lawyer specialised in this area, or ask the AI assistant first.