Doha:The Capital Market Authority (CMA) in the UAE has reported a significant increase in the number of licensed companies, with a 43 percent rise in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the previous year. This growth is part of a broader trend of enhanced regulatory oversight and sustained financing activity in the region.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) highlighted that the UAE's regulated financial services sector continues to expand, with a 64 percent increase in accredited professionals year-on-year. Capital-raising activities have also been robust, with bond and sukuk issuances totaling AED576 billion, while companies raised approximately AED3.4 billion in capital increases during the same period.
The investment funds sector has seen substantial growth, with local investment funds increasing by 94 percent to 97, and assets under management rising by 30 percent to AED28.6 billion by the third quarter of 2026. Investor protection remains a priority, as evidenced by a 246 percent rise in financial penalties and a 23 percent increase in their total value to AED12.9 million.
The CMA has issued 767 percent more warnings, addressing compliance concerns and maintaining market discipline. The number of complaints handled rose by 192 percent, with AED1.2 billion refunded to clients, compared to just AED8 million in the same period of 2025. This underscores the authority's commitment to safeguarding investors' financial rights.
Additionally, the implementation of Federal Decree-Laws No. 32 and 33 of 2025 has strengthened the CMA's regulatory independence and supervisory powers. The authority has also progressed with its Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework, registering 102 virtual assets for trading admission through its new digital service in the third quarter of 2026.
