On 10 April 2025 the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Board published the Commercial Licensing Regulations (Exemptions) Order 2025 (“2025 Order”), issued under section 8(1) of the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015. The new instrument revokes and replaces the 2024 order, tightening the criteria for who may operate in ADGM without holding a commercial licence (en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com). ...
Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has completed the most far-reaching rewrite of its crypto rules since 2018. A notice published on 10 June 2025 confirms that the Board has enacted a new suite of rules and companion amendments that now sit inside the core ADGM rulebooks.(en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com) The changes are already in...
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has enacted a cluster of rule changes this spring that reshape how digital-asset businesses, family offices and exempt vehicles operate on Al Maryah Island. Below is a practitioner-focused tour of the four key instruments now in force. Digital-Asset Framework Overhaul – 10 June 2025 A fresh FSRA announcement details...
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is sending an unmistakable message in 2025: robust anti-money-laundering (AML) controls are no longer optional. Since March the regulator has issued a string of record-breaking penalties on exchange houses, bank branches and insurers, pushing the cumulative tally past AED 339 million and ushering in the toughest enforcement climate...
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has launched 18 new interactive and informational phone services aimed at enhancing communication and support for both establishments and domestic workers in the UAE. This initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility, streamline services, and provide efficient customer assistance in the labor sector. ...
The United Arab Emirates has proudly secured its place among the top 10 nations in the Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index 2025, a prestigious ranking that evaluates countries based on their ability to influence international relations through culture, business, and innovation. This achievement highlights the UAE’s commitment to progressive leadership, economic resilience, and cultural...
Abu Dhabi is not just a city of opportunity—it’s a meticulously designed business ecosystem that fuels innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. Positioned at the crossroads of global trade, it has rapidly evolved into a top-tier destination for businesses and investors looking to establish and expand in a dynamic, future-ready market. With Vision 2030 at its...
Abu Dhabi is leading the change in shaping the global economy, and Masdar City—with its Live, Work, Play, Learn philosophy— is evolving as a global model for sustainable urban development. In this article, George Mathew and Benoy Jacob explore why Masdar City is the ideal place to set up a futuristic business, how government-driven initiatives...
In alignment with global tax reforms spearheaded by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UAE is set to introduce a 15% Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT) on large multinational companies. This will be implemented from 1st January 2025. This move forms part of the UAE’s adoption of the Global Minimum Tax (Pillar...
The ADGM Arbitration Centre had introduced an innovative “Mediation in the Metaverse” initiative in 2023, which is designed to transform the global mediation landscape. Utilizing cutting-edge Web3 technology, this initiative offers a virtual counterpart to ADGM’s advanced arbitration and mediation facilities. By enabling participants to conduct mediation sessions through video from any location via desktop...
