Capital Market Authority issues 3,170 licenses in 2025, a jump of 150% over previous year

Capital Market Authority (CMA), the federal regulator of the UAE’s securities and commodities markets, said it approved 3,170 licenses in 2025, a whopping increase of nearly 150 per cent from the 1,272 licenses issued in 2024.

This represents one of the highest annual increases in the Authority’s history, reflecting a sustained rise in market participation and regulatory engagement.

The continued expansion in market activity and a deeper investor participation were also evident from strong performance across key regulatory and market indicators during the year.

Elevated market participation in 2025 was accompanied by a substantial expansion in assets under management across the funds and portfolio management landscape, underscoring the increasing scale and institutional maturity of the market.

Funds and portfolio management scale up

Across the UAE, assets under management reached approximately $470 billion. Within this broader market context, the Authority’s regulatory oversight was reflected in strong growth across funds and portfolio management activities under its supervision.

The continued breadth of market development was further evident in the expansion of the local investment funds landscape. During 2025, the number of locally domiciled investment funds grew by approximately 322 per cent.

The total number of funds under the Authority’s oversight, including passported funds, rose by approximately 66 per cent, increasing from 119 in 2024 to 197 in 2025.

This expansion reflects a broader and more diversified range of investment strategies and structures being established within the market, enhancing choice for both individual and institutional investors and contributing to greater market depth and long-term resilience.

Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Market Authority, said: “The Authority’s performance in 2025 reflects the continued development of the UAE’s capital markets and the effectiveness of its regulatory framework.

“The increase in licensing activity and the expansion of managed assets demonstrate growing confidence in the regulatory environment and the strength of market participation.

“Looking ahead, the Authority will continue to enhance its supervisory approach and regulatory tools to keep pace with market developments. This will ensure that growth is supported by robust governance, transparency, and effective investor protection. Together, these developments point to a deepening pool of long-term capital and reinforces UAE’s growing role as a regional and international hub for institutional investment.”

Alongside these market developments, the period was followed by important regulatory updates to the capital markets framework. Federal decree laws governing the Capital Market Authority and the regulation of capital markets came into effect in 2026, reinforcing the foundations that underpin the securities and commodities markets.