
Capital Market Authority (CMA UAE)
United Arab Emirates | Forex license
The Capital Market Authority (CMA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the federal regulatory authority responsible for overseeing, regulating, and developing the securities and capital markets within the country. Originally established in 2000 as the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) under Federal Law No. (4) of 2000, the authority was reconstituted as the Capital Market Authority effective 1 January 2026, pursuant to Federal Decree-Law No. (32) of 2025 and Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2025. The CMA operates as an independent federal public authority with a separate legal personality and reports directly to the UAE Cabinet. Its codified objectives include ensuring the safety and efficiency of the capital market, protecting investors and market participants, fostering innovation and technological advancement, and positioning the UAE as a competitive and internationally reputable financial centre. The CMA is the legal successor to the SCA, assuming all its rights, obligations, and contracts. Its regulatory jurisdiction covers capital market activities conducted in the UAE outside the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which maintain their own independent regulatory frameworks.