ATB Research Team

Ministerial Decision reinforces institutional alignment between Dubai’s virtual asset regime and the UAE’s federal tax framework  The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued Ministerial Decision No. 336 of 2025 formally recognising Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) as a “competent authority” under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses.  While the development has tax implications,...

The Financial Markets Tribunal (FMT) has upheld a decision by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to impose a USD 25,000 fine on Al Ramz Capital LLC for failing to promptly report suspicious trading activity, reinforcing regulatory expectations around market conduct and compliance within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).  Background of the Case  The penalty relates to transactions executed...

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has imposed a financial penalty of Dh1,850,940 on Ark Capital Management (Dubai) Limited, citing serious breaches of DIFC regulatory requirements relating to market abuse controls and disclosure obligations.  Ark Capital, an authorised firm operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), was found to have maintained inadequate systems and controls for detecting and escalating potential market abuse,...

Dubai has announced a landmark expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) with the launch of the DIFC Zabeel District, a Dh100 billion development that will more than double the size of the financial free zone. Beyond its physical scale, the project represents a significant strengthening of Dubai’s legal, regulatory, and dispute-resolution framework underpinning international business activity in the emirate. ...

Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) record growth in 2025 reflects not only rising commercial activity but also the continued strength of its legal and regulatory architecture, which has become a key factor attracting global financial institutions to Dubai.  The centre added more than 2,500 new firms during the year, taking the total number of active registered...

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has imposed a financial penalty of US$455,176 (approximately Dh1.67 million) on Ed Broking (MENA) Limited, a reinsurance brokerage operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), for engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct in the course of its business.  The enforcement action underscores the DFSA’s strict stance on transparency, integrity, and proper disclosure within the DIFC’s regulated...

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a firm compliance reminder to private sector employers: no individual may legally work in the UAE without a valid work permit issued through official channels. The announcement reinforces the country’s labour law framework and signals continued strict enforcement against illegal or improperly structured employment...

Dubai’s announcement of the DIFC Zabeel District is not only a milestone in urban and financial development but also a significant evolution in the emirate’s legal and regulatory ecosystem. The expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is set to reshape the legal landscape governing financial services, innovation sectors, and cross-border business operations in the region. ...

The UAE has introduced a landmark overhaul of its civil law regime through the issuance of Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025 on Civil Transactions a new Civil Transactions Law, marking one of the most significant legal reforms in recent years. The updated law reflects the country’s continued efforts to modernise its legal system, enhance contractual certainty,...

Enhanced succession planning, flexible share structures, and dispute-prevention mechanisms under the UAE Commercial Companies Law.  Legal Certainty for Family-Owned Businesses  Recent amendments to the UAE Commercial Companies Law (CCL) mark a significant shift in how family-owned and closely held businesses are regulated, particularly in matters of succession, share transfers, and shareholder disputes. The reforms aim to eliminate long-standing legal...