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Regulatory updates

Dubai Financial Services Authority: latest updates.

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.

Arakan Lexara Weekly

The week's changes, what they mean and the deadlines ahead. Every Monday, free.

1 Oct 2026Rulebook AmendmentHigh impact
Prudential – Investment, Insurance Intermediation and Banking Business Module (PIB) Rule-making Instrument (No. 443) 2026
The DFSA has revised the Prudential – Investment, Insurance Intermediation and Banking Business Module (PIB) to strengthen the prudential requirements for financial institutions. These amendments are designed to enhance the financial stability and resilience of firms operating in the DIFC.
1 Oct 2026Rulebook AmendmentHigh impact
Conduct of Business Module (COB) Rule-making Instrument (No. 444) 2026
Amendments to the Conduct of Business Module (COB) have been made to enhance consumer protection and ensure fair treatment of clients. These changes are part of the DFSA's ongoing efforts to maintain high standards of business conduct within the DIFC.
1 Oct 2026Rulebook AmendmentHigh impact
Islamic Finance Rules (IFR) Rule-making Instrument (No. 445) 2026
The DFSA has introduced amendments to the Islamic Finance Rules (IFR) to enhance the regulatory framework governing Islamic financial activities. These changes aim to align with international standards and improve the operational clarity for firms engaged in Islamic finance.

Updates are found automatically on regulators' websites and summarised by AI. Check the official source before relying on any item.

Past weekly briefings

1 Oct 2026Rulebook AmendmentMedium impact

Glossary Module (GLO) Rule-making Instrument (No. 446) 2026

The DFSA has amended the Glossary Module (GLO) as part of its rule-making instruments for 2026. This amendment is intended to update and clarify definitions within the regulatory framework, ensuring consistency and clarity for regulated entities.

23 Sept 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

Notice of Approval of the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China as an Exempt Offeror Under Rule A5.1.1 of the Markets Rules

The DFSA has approved the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China as an Exempt Offeror under Rule A5.1.1 of the Markets Rules. This designation exempts the Ministry from the requirement to issue a Prospectus and from certain reporting obligations under the Markets Law 2012.

23 Sept 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

Notice of Approval of New Development Bank as an Exempt Offeror Under Rule A5.1.1 of the Markets Rules

The DFSA has approved the New Development Bank as an Exempt Offeror under Rule A5.1.1 of the Markets Rules. This approval exempts the New Development Bank from the obligation to issue a Prospectus and from certain reporting requirements under the Markets Law 2012.

15 Sept 2026Consultation PaperMedium impactConsultation open

Consultation Paper No. 173 - Proposals to Enhance the DFSA’s Collective Investment Fund Framework

This paper proposes enhancements to the DFSA's framework for collective investment funds. The aim is to improve regulatory oversight and investor protection while fostering growth in the sector. Stakeholders are invited to provide their input on the proposed changes.

4 Sept 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

Modification Notice to ASB Capital Limited

The DFSA has issued a modification notice to ASB Capital Limited, altering the application of certain rules related to Money Market Funds. This modification allows the Fund Manager to invest a higher percentage of the fund's net asset value in deposits with a single bank, provided certain credit rating conditions are met. This change is significant for fund managers as it provides more flexibility in investment strategies.

10 Aug 2026Press ReleaseLow impact

HKMA and DFSA to co-host third Climate Finance Conference to drive transition in a changing world

DFSA announced it will co-host the third Climate Finance Conference with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, continuing joint sustainable-finance engagement between the two regulators. Purely informational, no direct compliance obligation.

15 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.

9 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.

9 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.

7 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.

7 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.

2 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.

2 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.

30 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.

29 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.

26 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.

10 Jun 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

Dear MLRO Letter: UAE Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment Report 2026

DFSA clarified how firms should integrate the UAE Proliferation Financing National Risk Assessment Report 2026 into their existing AML/CFT risk assessments.

9 Jun 2026CircularMedium impact

Business Continuity Measures Form v4 (6/2026) Update

DFSA issued a further updated Business Continuity Measures Form (v4, 6/2026), required from all authorised firms regardless of prior notifications, due 16 June 2026.

4 Jun 2026Regulatory NoticeHigh impact

Dear SEO Letter: DFSA Regulatory Expectations on Artificial Intelligence Risk Management in the DIFC

DFSA set out supervisory expectations for governance, accountability and oversight of AI implementation by DIFC firms, following its 2025 AI survey findings on rising AI adoption and governance gaps.

18 May 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

Dear SEO Letter: Update on Countercyclical Capital Buffer on Credit Exposures in the UAE

DFSA provided an update on the applicable Countercyclical Capital Buffer rate for UAE credit exposures, relevant to banks' capital adequacy calculations under the PIB module.

12 May 2026Rule AmendmentHigh impact

Notice of Amendments to Legislation: May 2026 (CP167 – Basel Core Principles Alignment)

DFSA finalised CP167 amendments aligning the rulebook with Basel Core Principles: new risk management function requirements for large/complex firms (GEN), Tier 2 capital and credit risk classification updates (PIB), and consequential Glossary (GLO) and Islamic Finance Rules (IFR) changes, effective 1 January 2027.

4 May 2026Consultation PaperMedium impact

Consultation Paper No 172 – Enhancements to the Islamic Finance Rules

CP172 proposed updates to Islamic endorsement requirements, Takaful disclosures, and clarified the circumstances in which an Authorised Person is deemed to be conducting Islamic Financial Business.

23 Apr 2026Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

Dear Finance Officer Letter: Q4 2025 EPRS Return Corrections

DFSA notified Finance Officers that Q4 2025 EPRS prudential returns contained errors and required corrections to be reflected in Q1 2026 submissions. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

16 Apr 2026CircularMedium impact

Business Continuity Measures Form v3 (4/2026) Update

DFSA issued an updated Business Continuity Measures Form (v3, 4/2026) via the ePortal, required to be submitted by 22 April 2026. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

10 Apr 2026CircularLow impact

Foreign Funds Marketing Survey (Article 54 Collective Investment Law)

DFSA surveyed firms on the marketing/selling of foreign funds under Article 54 of the Collective Investment Law. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

10 Apr 2026GuidanceMedium impact

Thematic Review Findings – Fintech Compliance Arrangements

Thematic review of fintech firms found 53% operate with three or fewer compliance staff and 58% outsource compliance functions, with governance gaps identified; signals expectation of stronger internal compliance resourcing at fintech firms. Date sourced from secondary reporting.