meta_id 3060696

On April 13, 2026, the United Arab Emirates Financial Regulatory Authority issued a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets, establishing an integrated system designed to support market growth while maintaining investor protection and market integrity. The framework comprises five primary regulatory units: general requirements; business conduct regulation; alternative trading systems; anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF); and prudential requirements. These units provide a comprehensive legislative and supervisory structure for entities operating in the digital assets sector. The framework expands regulated activities from three to eight, including: dealing in digital assets as principal; dealing in digital assets as agent; custody services provision; custody services arrangement; investment transaction arrangement; investment advisory services; portfolio management; and operation of multilateral trading facilities. The expansion reflects market evolution and the increasing diversity of business models and services associated with digital assets. A specialised alternative trading systems unit regulates trading facilities, encompassing digital asset trading facilities, traditional multilateral securities trading facilities, and multilateral tokenised securities trading facilities. This integrated approach reflects the authority's strategy to develop a cohesive regulatory framework that accommodates convergence between traditional and digital market structures. The framework establishes balanced regulatory foundations combining innovation support, market integrity promotion, and investor protection through clear licensing, compliance, governance, risk management, and prudential requirements. It aligns with international standards from the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), applying the principle of proportionate regulatory requirements based on activity nature and risk level. The authority's chief executive, Waleed Saeed Al Awadi, stated the framework provides clear foundations for digital asset regulation in the United Arab Emirates, enabling innovation within a trustworthy environment ensuring investor protection and market integrity.