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The UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority has reported exceptional performance across key regulatory and market indicators for 2025, marking a transformative year for capital markets in the Emirates. According to a statement released on January 26, 2026, the federal regulator achieved remarkable growth in licensing activity, managed assets, and investment fund expansion, reflecting increased investor participation and continued development of the national regulatory framework for capital markets.
The authority completed 3,170 licenses and approvals during 2025, compared to 1,272 in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 150 percent. This represents one of the highest growth rates the UAE capital markets regulator has ever achieved, signaling substantial expansion in market activity and the base of licensed entities operating in the country.
UAE Capital Markets See Assets Under Management Reach $470 Billion
Assets under management by investment funds and securities portfolio management companies experienced tangible expansion throughout 2025. The total value of managed assets in the UAE reached approximately $470 billion, according to the authority’s statement. This growth occurred in parallel with rising market participation levels, indicating an increase in the scope of regulated investment activities and broader institutional involvement.
Meanwhile, the domestic investment fund ecosystem witnessed notable expansion, with the number of local investment funds rising by approximately 322 percent during 2025. The total number of funds under the authority’s supervision, including foreign funds recognized under regulatory frameworks, increased by nearly 66 percent, climbing from 119 funds in 2024 to 197 funds in 2025.
Investment Fund Growth Reflects Market Diversification
This expansion reflects the diversity of investment strategies and structures being established in UAE markets, enhancing options available to individual and institutional investors alike. The growth contributes to long-term market resilience and flexibility, according to the regulatory body. The increase in licensed entities and managed assets demonstrates growing confidence in the regulatory environment and robust market participation across the financial sector.
Walid Saeed Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Commodities Authority, stated that the authority’s performance during 2025 reflects the continuous growth and development trajectory of capital markets in the UAE and the effectiveness of its regulatory framework. Additionally, he noted that growth in licensing activity and expansion of assets under management confirms the rising level of confidence in the regulatory environment and strength of market participation.
Al Awadhi added that in the coming phase, the authority will continue enhancing its approach to supervising capital markets and developing regulatory tools to keep pace with market developments. However, he emphasized this will be done while ensuring growth is based on established transparency and governance frameworks, effective investor protection, and institutional safeguards. These developments collectively confirm the expansion of the long-term capital base and the UAE’s growing role as a regional and international hub for institutional investment.
New Regulatory Framework for Capital Markets Takes Effect
In a related development, the regulatory framework for capital markets underwent important regulatory advances. Federal decrees governing the Securities and Commodities Authority and capital market regulation came into effect in 2026, solidifying the legislative framework regulating securities and commodities markets. This regulatory evolution provides enhanced legal clarity for market participants and strengthens oversight mechanisms across the sector.
The authority has not announced specific timelines for additional regulatory measures, though officials indicated that ongoing development of regulatory tools will continue to align with market evolution and international best practices throughout 2026.
