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UAE Capital Markets Expand with 43% Rise in Licensed Companies

The UAE Capital Market Authority reported a 43 percent increase in licensed financial companies during the first nine months of the year, alongside a 64 percent rise in accredited financial professionals. Trading across the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market reached AED 408 billion, with foreign investors accounting for 49 percent of activity. Enforcement actions also intensified, resulting in AED 12.9 million in penalties and approximately AED 1.2 billion in client refunds.

Published Source: Emirates 24/7
Issuing authority
UAE Capital Market Authority
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
Publication date
October 26, 2026
Stage
Final rule
Official document
Nine-month regulatory performance report; Federal Decree-Laws No. 32 and 33 of 2025
Official source
www.emirates247.com
Illustration: A modern financial trading floor and digital stock exchange display screens inside a contemporary business tower in Dubai or Abu Dhabi,
Illustration

On October 26, 2026, the UAE Capital Market Authority published its nine-month regulatory performance report detailing market oversight and corporate licensing across the country. According to Emirates 24/7, the authority registered a 43 percent year-on-year increase in the number of licensed financial companies, while the number of accredited financial professionals grew by 64 percent.

Trading activity across the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market totaled AED 408 billion during the nine-month period. Foreign investors accounted for 49 percent of overall trading activity on the exchanges.

The regulator also reported heightened enforcement activity alongside tighter compliance standards governed by Federal Decree-Laws No. 32 and 33 of 2025. Penalties imposed on non-compliant participants rose 23 percent to AED 12.9 million, accompanied by a 246 percent surge in total punitive actions.

In addition to disciplinary actions, the regulatory authority facilitated approximately AED 1.2 billion in refunds to clients during the monitored period.

Sources

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