emirates7 - The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) Board of Directors held its third meeting of 2025, during which it assessed the Authority’s key performance indicators for the first half of the year.
Chaired by Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, the meeting resulted in several strategic decisions aimed at accelerating the growth of the financial markets sector and aligning the UAE’s regulatory landscape with international standards. These efforts are part of the broader national agenda to enhance market competitiveness and drive economic transformation.
Participants included Deputy Chairman Faisal Yousef Sulaitin, CEO Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, and Board Members Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Arif Mohammed Amiri, and Rashid Ali Al Neyadi.
Al Shorafa emphasized the UAE’s ambition to serve as a global hub for economic transformation through an integrated and innovation-driven financial ecosystem. He underscored the country’s proactive role in shaping the global financial landscape.
Echoing this vision, CEO Al Awadhi highlighted the SCA’s dedication to fostering regulatory innovation and investor protection, positioning the UAE as a global benchmark in financial oversight.
The SCA reported strong performance in the first half of 2025, including a 55% surge in newly issued licences and a 60% increase in total licenced companies compared to the same period in 2024. Local investment funds saw a 79% rise, contributing to a 230% jump in total assets under management. Foreign investment fund registrations grew by 54%, while the value of registered bond and Sukuk programmes climbed 35%.
In line with its commitment to investor protection, the Board reviewed progress on resolving unclaimed dividends and dormant accounts. By the end of Q2 2025, approximately AED 190 million had been returned to rightful owners.
The Board also approved the establishment of a coordinating committee led by the SCA, with members from key financial regulators including the FSRA, DFSA, and VARA, alongside industry experts Bryan Stirewalt, Sahar Badran, and Saeed Mansour Al Awar. The committee will assess draft laws, review existing frameworks, and suggest regulatory enhancements to promote alignment and resilience across the financial ecosystem.
In a major digital economy milestone, the Board reviewed the outcomes of the region’s first “Finfluencer” registration and licensing initiative. This pioneering framework aims to enhance investor protection and transparency in the rapidly evolving digital financial space.
Additionally, a new regulatory framework was approved for recognizing goodwill as an intangible asset in public joint-stock companies. This includes guidelines for valuing elements like brand equity and corporate reputation, aligning with international accounting standards and improving disclosure and governance practices.
Overall, the meeting reflected the SCA’s continued leadership in fostering an innovative, transparent, and globally integrated financial environment in the UAE.
Chaired by Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, the meeting resulted in several strategic decisions aimed at accelerating the growth of the financial markets sector and aligning the UAE’s regulatory landscape with international standards. These efforts are part of the broader national agenda to enhance market competitiveness and drive economic transformation.
Participants included Deputy Chairman Faisal Yousef Sulaitin, CEO Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, and Board Members Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Arif Mohammed Amiri, and Rashid Ali Al Neyadi.
Al Shorafa emphasized the UAE’s ambition to serve as a global hub for economic transformation through an integrated and innovation-driven financial ecosystem. He underscored the country’s proactive role in shaping the global financial landscape.
Echoing this vision, CEO Al Awadhi highlighted the SCA’s dedication to fostering regulatory innovation and investor protection, positioning the UAE as a global benchmark in financial oversight.
The SCA reported strong performance in the first half of 2025, including a 55% surge in newly issued licences and a 60% increase in total licenced companies compared to the same period in 2024. Local investment funds saw a 79% rise, contributing to a 230% jump in total assets under management. Foreign investment fund registrations grew by 54%, while the value of registered bond and Sukuk programmes climbed 35%.
In line with its commitment to investor protection, the Board reviewed progress on resolving unclaimed dividends and dormant accounts. By the end of Q2 2025, approximately AED 190 million had been returned to rightful owners.
The Board also approved the establishment of a coordinating committee led by the SCA, with members from key financial regulators including the FSRA, DFSA, and VARA, alongside industry experts Bryan Stirewalt, Sahar Badran, and Saeed Mansour Al Awar. The committee will assess draft laws, review existing frameworks, and suggest regulatory enhancements to promote alignment and resilience across the financial ecosystem.
In a major digital economy milestone, the Board reviewed the outcomes of the region’s first “Finfluencer” registration and licensing initiative. This pioneering framework aims to enhance investor protection and transparency in the rapidly evolving digital financial space.
Additionally, a new regulatory framework was approved for recognizing goodwill as an intangible asset in public joint-stock companies. This includes guidelines for valuing elements like brand equity and corporate reputation, aligning with international accounting standards and improving disclosure and governance practices.
Overall, the meeting reflected the SCA’s continued leadership in fostering an innovative, transparent, and globally integrated financial environment in the UAE.