Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)

Basic Information

The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) is the federal financial regulatory agency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), overseeing securities and commodities markets. Established on January 29, 2000, under Federal Law No. (4) of 2000, it operates as an independent entity with legal, financial, and administrative autonomy. The SCA’s headquarters are located in Abu Dhabi, with a secondary office in Dubai. Its primary mission is to ensure market transparency, protect investors, and foster a stable and efficient financial environment in the UAE.

Background and Historical Development

The SCA was founded by a federal decree issued by the late UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Initially named the Emirates Securities & Commodities Authority and Market, it was created to regulate the newly established Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM). In 2006, Federal Law No. (25) amended its structure, reducing the board of directors from eight to five members and imposing stricter disclosure requirements on board members regarding securities ownership.

Over the years, the SCA has expanded its regulatory framework to align with international standards, including anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) measures. It has also introduced governance reforms, such as the 2024 amendments requiring listed public joint-stock companies (PJSCs) to adopt the COSO internal controls framework.

Legal Authority and Regulatory Framework

The SCA derives its authority from UAE federal laws, including:

• Federal Law No. (4) of 2000 (establishing the SCA)
• Federal Law No. (25) of 2006 (amendments to governance and disclosure rules)
• Economic Substance Regulations
• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) regulations

It regulates all securities and commodities activities within the UAE mainland, excluding financial free zones like the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which have independent regulators.

Key Responsibilities and Regulatory Scope

The SCA’s core functions include:

• Supervising financial markets (ADX, DFM, Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange)
• Licensing and monitoring financial service providers (brokers, custodians, asset managers)
• Enforcing compliance with securities laws and corporate governance standards
• Protecting investors through disclosure requirements and market surveillance
• Combating financial crimes, including money laundering and market manipulation

Recent regulatory updates include restrictions on foreign fund marketing, requiring SCA approval for promotions targeting UAE professional investors.

Contact Information and Addresses

Headquarters (Abu Dhabi):
Hamdan Street – Al Gaith Tower, 13th Floor, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dubai Office:
Al Garhoud Area – SCA Building, Dubai, UAE

General Inquiries:
Call Center: 800 722823 (800 SCA UAE)
Email: [email protected]

How to Verify an Entity’s Regulatory Status

To confirm whether a financial institution or professional is licensed by the SCA:

1. Visit the SCA’s official website (sca.gov.ae)
2. Navigate to the “Licensed Companies” section under “Open Data”
3. Search by company name, license type, or activity
4. Cross-check details with the SCA’s public register of licensed entities

For further verification, contact the SCA’s supervision department directly via the provided contact channels.