Capital markets
Three regimes, one instrument.
Issuers, funds, brokers and market operators sit across the onshore regime and two free-zone ones — and the same product can be characterised differently by each.
What makes this sector hard
- The same instrument characterised differently by three regimes
- Marketing and private placement restrictions that differ by venue
- Disclosure and continuing-obligation timetables
- Tokenised instruments with no settled classification
A fund marketed onshore, a fund domiciled in a free zone and a fund listed on a free-zone platform are three different regulatory objects even when the economics are identical.
The work here is characterisation before compliance: establish what the instrument is under each regime, then read the obligations that follow from that.
Where it applies
Where to start
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Entering the UAE market
Onshore or a financial free zone — and what each one costs you.
The UAE is not one jurisdiction. Choosing between the mainland and a financial free zone sets your licensing route, your courts, your data rules and your tax position for years.
Learn more Entering the UAE market -
Licensing and authorisation
What you need permission for, and from whom.
Regulated activity in the UAE is defined narrowly and enforced literally. The expensive mistakes are the ones where a firm thought it was outside the perimeter.
Learn more Licensing and authorisation -
Building a compliance programme
Policies that survive an inspection.
AML/CFT, sanctions, data protection and conduct — drafted against the instruments that actually apply to you, not a template from another market.
Learn more Building a compliance programme
Other sectors
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Najem AI produces analysis and drafts for internal use. It is not legal, tax, audit or investment advice and does not create a professional relationship.