Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)

Basic Information

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) is the independent financial regulatory agency overseeing the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a leading financial free zone in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Established in 2004, the DFSA operates as a policymaker, regulator, and enforcer, ensuring market integrity and investor protection within the DIFC. Its mission is to uphold the DIFC’s reputation as a globally recognized, well-regulated financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Background and History

The DFSA was established alongside the creation of the DIFC in 2004, following the UAE Constitution’s Article 121, which permits the formation of Financial Free Zones with exemptions from certain federal laws. The agency was designed to provide a regulatory framework aligned with international standards, fostering confidence among global financial institutions operating in the DIFC. Over the years, the DFSA has expanded its regulatory scope to include emerging sectors such as fintech, digital assets, and sustainable finance.

Legal Authority and Regulatory Framework

The DFSA derives its authority from Dubai Law No. 9 of 2004, which established the DIFC and its regulatory bodies. Its mandate includes enforcing laws related to financial services, anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), and corporate governance within the DIFC. The DFSA operates independently from the UAE’s federal Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), focusing exclusively on the DIFC’s financial ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities and Regulatory Scope

The DFSA supervises a wide range of financial activities, including:

Asset management and investment funds
Banking and credit services
Securities and derivatives trading
Islamic finance and insurance
Fintech and digital assets (including crypto tokens)
Anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) compliance

Additionally, the DFSA investigates misconduct, enforces penalties, and operates regulatory sandboxes such as the Innovation Testing Licence (ITL) Programme to support fintech innovation.

Contact Information

The DFSA can be reached through the following channels:

Physical Address: Level 13, West Wing, The Gate, DIFC, Dubai, UAE
Postal Address: PO Box 75850, Dubai, UAE
Telephone: +971 (0)4 362 1500
Fax: +971 (0)4 362 0801
Email: [email protected]
Complaints: Submit via the DFSA Complaints Form or mail to the above address

How to Verify a Firm’s Regulatory Status

To confirm whether a financial institution is authorized by the DFSA:

Visit the official DFSA website (https://www.dfsa.ae)
Use the public register or search function to check the firm’s licensing status
Look for the firm’s DFSA registration number and cross-verify with regulatory announcements
Report suspicious or unauthorized entities via the DFSA’s whistleblowing or complaints portal

The DFSA also issues alerts about scams and unauthorized firms, which are published on its dedicated alerts page.