SCA License UAE
Federal Securities
& Tokenized Asset Approvals
Get licensed by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) to operate legally in the UAE mainland. Whether you’re launching a brokerage, trading platform, custody service, or tokenized securities project, SVG makes licensing faster, compliant, and future-ready.
Why SCA Matters
The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) is the UAE’s federal regulator, responsible for licensing and supervising all onshore securities, commodities, and tokenized asset activities.Unlike free-zone regulators such as VARA, ADGM, or DIFC, an SCA license is the benchmark of legitimacy. It signals that your business is trusted to operate nationwide under the UAE’s highest standards.With an SCA license, you gain:
National Reach & Market Access
Most free-zone licenses limit you to operating only within their jurisdiction. With an SCA license, you unlock federal authorization—allowing your firm to serve investors, institutions, and retail clients across the entire UAE mainland.
🔹 One license, full market coverage: No need to juggle multiple free-zone entities.
🔹 Direct access to major financial hubs: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah markets fall under your reach.
🔹 Institutional entry points: Work directly with family offices, sovereign funds, and listed entities that only deal with SCA-licensed firms.
👉 Why it matters: National coverage = bigger client base, fewer barriers, and stronger growth opportunities.
🔹 One license, full market coverage: No need to juggle multiple free-zone entities.
🔹 Direct access to major financial hubs: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah markets fall under your reach.
🔹 Institutional entry points: Work directly with family offices, sovereign funds, and listed entities that only deal with SCA-licensed firms.
👉 Why it matters: National coverage = bigger client base, fewer barriers, and stronger growth opportunities.
Unmatched Credibility & Regulatory Trust
In the UAE, SCA is the gold standard for financial oversight. Holding an SCA license signals to regulators, banks, and strategic partners that your firm meets the highest level of governance, risk management, and AML/CFT compliance.
🔹 Banking relationships: SCA-licensed firms find it easier to open and maintain corporate bank accounts.
🔹 Capital raising: Investors trust projects that carry SCA’s stamp of approval, knowing due diligence has already been performed at the regulatory level.
🔹 Reputation advantage: Competing platforms without SCA licensing face skepticism from regulators, partners, and clients.
👉 Why it matters: In a market where trust equals growth, SCA licensing is your credibility passport.
🔹 Banking relationships: SCA-licensed firms find it easier to open and maintain corporate bank accounts.
🔹 Capital raising: Investors trust projects that carry SCA’s stamp of approval, knowing due diligence has already been performed at the regulatory level.
🔹 Reputation advantage: Competing platforms without SCA licensing face skepticism from regulators, partners, and clients.
👉 Why it matters: In a market where trust equals growth, SCA licensing is your credibility passport.
Future-Proof Growth in Digital Assets
The UAE is not only legitimizing virtual assets—it’s leading the global conversation on tokenization and blockchain adoption. The SCA framework is designed to grow with the industry, giving you a long-term runway for expansion.
🔹 Tokenization of real-world assets: Real estate, funds, and securities are already being digitized under SCA oversight.
🔹 Digital securities & blockchain funds: The SCA framework covers securities offerings and investment products, opening institutional doors.
🔹 Adaptability to innovation: Whether it’s NFTs, stablecoins, or next-gen Web3 assets, the SCA adjusts its rules to keep firms competitive while protecting investors.
👉 Why it matters: Licensing under SCA means you’re not just compliant today—you’re strategically positioned for tomorrow’s digital finance landscape.
🔹 Tokenization of real-world assets: Real estate, funds, and securities are already being digitized under SCA oversight.
🔹 Digital securities & blockchain funds: The SCA framework covers securities offerings and investment products, opening institutional doors.
🔹 Adaptability to innovation: Whether it’s NFTs, stablecoins, or next-gen Web3 assets, the SCA adjusts its rules to keep firms competitive while protecting investors.
👉 Why it matters: Licensing under SCA means you’re not just compliant today—you’re strategically positioned for tomorrow’s digital finance landscape.
Who Needs an SCA License?
The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) license is mandatory for any business conducting onshore securities, commodities, or tokenized financial activities in the UAE mainland. This license applies if you are:
Broker-Dealers & Intermediaries
→ Firms executing buy/sell orders, arranging trades, or providing market intermediation for UAE clients. An SCA license ensures legal standing and builds investor trust.
Trading & Market Platforms
→ Operators of exchanges, electronic trading systems, or commodities/token marketplaces that want to offer services directly to UAE mainland investors.
Tokenized Securities Projects
→ Companies issuing security tokens, asset-backed tokens, structured digital products, or STOs. SCA approval is required to list, distribute, or manage these tokenized instruments.
Custody & Settlement Providers
→ Businesses offering safekeeping of securities or digital assets, clearing, or settlement services within the UAE. Federal licensing ensures compliance with investor-protection rules.
Mainland Business Setup with Federal Approval
→ Companies pursuing a smart business setup in Dubai mainland who want more than just a corporate license. An SCA license provides the regulatory legitimacy to raise capital, attract investors, and expand securely.
We're here to Help You!
If your business touches trading, custody, brokerage, or tokenization in the UAE mainland, you need an SCA license to operate legally and competitively.
What the Regulator Expects
To secure and maintain an SCA license in the UAE, firms must demonstrate institutional-grade readiness. The regulator does not issue approvals lightly — every applicant must prove they can operate with resilience, transparency, and investor protection at the core.Key expectations include:
Clear Scope of Business
→ Your activities must align precisely with your authorization. Firms must clearly define whether they are engaging in brokerage, custody, tokenized securities issuance, or market operations, with no grey areas or unlicensed activities.
AML/CFT & Financial Crime Controls
→ Robust anti–money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks are mandatory. This includes client due diligence (KYC/KYB), sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, and alignment with international AML/CFT standards.
Governance & Capital Adequacy
→ Strong board oversight, independent risk and compliance functions, and sufficient capital reserves to absorb shocks and sustain operations. Leadership must show fit-and-proper standing and accountability at all levels.
Technology & Cybersecurity
→ Secure, resilient systems to protect investor data and guarantee continuity of operations. SCA expects tested cybersecurity controls, disaster recovery planning, and system integrity measures to safeguard markets.
Ongoing Reporting & Supervision
→ Licensed firms must engage continuously with the SCA through regulatory reporting, disclosures, and audits. Transparency is non-negotiable, and the regulator will actively monitor compliance.
How SVG Helps
Securing an SCA license in the UAE is not just about filing forms — it’s about proving your business is credible, resilient, and future-ready. Many firms fail or face long delays because they underestimate the regulator’s standards. This is where SVG makes the difference.
Licensing & Advisory
We help you decide onshore vs free-zone licensing, prepare a bulletproof application dossier, and manage all regulator correspondence to minimize delays and rejections.
Compliance Technology (CompliX)
Automate the heavy lifting with tools for AML/CFT monitoring, sanctions screening, suspicious activity reporting, and regulatory submissions. No spreadsheets. No guesswork.
Cybersecurity by ITSEC
The SCA expects institutional-grade resilience. We embed risk assessments, security posture reviews, and continuity planning into your operations, ensuring your systems pass regulatory scrutiny.
Business Transformation Services
Licensing is just the start. SVG aligns your compliance setup with business technology transformation services, giving you the infrastructure to scale operations, raise capital, and expand safely in the UAE.
OUR
Methodology (Streamlined Strategic Framework)
Securing an SCA license in the UAE can feel complex — but SVG simplifies the journey with a clear, proven roadmap. Every stage is designed to minimize delays, reduce regulatory risk, and position your business for long-term success.
Scoping – Defining Your Fit
Whether you have a team We assess your business model against SCA requirements, clarify whether an onshore license or alternative structure (e.g., free-zone) best fits your goals, and map activities into the correct regulatory permissions.
👉 Why it matters: The wrong license path leads to wasted time and rejections.of 2 or 200, our shared team inboxes keep everyone on the same page and in the loop.
👉 Why it matters: The wrong license path leads to wasted time and rejections.of 2 or 200, our shared team inboxes keep everyone on the same page and in the loop.
Queries & Conditions – Managing Regulator Engagement
SCA may raise questions or impose conditions. We handle all correspondence, clarifications, and refinements, ensuring your responses meet supervisory expectations without over-exposing your business.
👉 Why it matters: Mishandling regulator queries is the #1 reason applications stall.
👉 Why it matters: Mishandling regulator queries is the #1 reason applications stall.
Application – Building a Bulletproof Dossier
SVG prepares and files your application dossier — including ownership details, financials, AML/CFT policies, and governance framework — directly with the SCA.
👉 Why it matters: A complete, regulator-ready submission shortens review cycles.
👉 Why it matters: A complete, regulator-ready submission shortens review cycles.
Implementation – Embedding Controls & Frameworks
Once approved in principle, we help embed governance structures, AML/CFT programs, cybersecurity, and technology systems into your operations, making sure you are truly “audit-ready.”
👉 Why it matters: Compliance must be operational, not just on paper.
👉 Why it matters: Compliance must be operational, not just on paper.
What You Should Prepare
Applying for an SCA license in the UAE requires more than just paperwork. The regulator expects firms to demonstrate they are serious, well-capitalized, and institution-grade from day one. To succeed, you will need:
Preparing these elements is not just about ticking boxes. It demonstrates to the SCA — and to investors, banks, and strategic partners — that your business is credible, compliant, and ready for sustainable growth in the UAE mainland.
Preparing these elements is not just about ticking boxes. It demonstrates to the SCA — and to investors, banks, and strategic partners — that your business is credible, compliant, and ready for sustainable growth in the UAE mainland.
Ownership & Governance Files
Full disclosure of shareholders, directors, and ultimate beneficial owners, along with governance structures.
👉 Why: The SCA must ensure your leadership is fit-and-proper, transparent, and accountable.
👉 Why: The SCA must ensure your leadership is fit-and-proper, transparent, and accountable.
Business Model & Target Client Profile
A clear, regulator-ready description of your planned activities (brokerage, custody, tokenized offerings, trading platform) and the clients you will serve.
👉 Why: The SCA only grants licenses where the scope of activity matches market integrity and investor protection standards.
👉 Why: The SCA only grants licenses where the scope of activity matches market integrity and investor protection standards.
AML/CFT Program & Risk Policies
Detailed anti–money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks, plus risk management procedures and suspicious transaction reporting mechanisms.
👉 Why: Preventing financial crime and regulatory breaches is non-negotiable — firms must show they can monitor, detect, and report risks at scale.
👉 Why: Preventing financial crime and regulatory breaches is non-negotiable — firms must show they can monitor, detect, and report risks at scale.
Operational & Technology Control Framework
Documented systems for transaction monitoring, data protection, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity.
👉 Why: The SCA places heavy emphasis on system resilience and investor data security — weak controls mean instant rejection.
👉 Why: The SCA places heavy emphasis on system resilience and investor data security — weak controls mean instant rejection.
Financial Statements & Capital Plan
Proof of adequate capital reserves, audited financials (if available), and future funding plans.
👉 Why: The regulator requires evidence of financial stability and sustainability — showing you can withstand shocks and support long-term operations.
👉 Why: The regulator requires evidence of financial stability and sustainability — showing you can withstand shocks and support long-term operations.
Support
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the product and billing.
What is an SCA?
An SCA, or Special Circumstances Authorization, is a license that allows businesses to operate under specific conditions. It ensures compliance with regulations while providing flexibility to meet unique business needs. Obtaining an SCA can enhance your operational capabilities.
Should I choose an SCA license or a free-zone regime?
Choose SCA if your business intends to serve UAE mainland investors, institutions, or retail clients, or if you plan to issue or manage securities and tokenized assets at a federal level.Free-zones like VARA, DIFC, or ADGM may be suitable for niche or regional activities, but they limit your reach. An SCA license provides nationwide credibility, investor confidence, and access to the broader UAE market.
What governance is required under SCA?
The SCA expects institutional-grade governance, including:
🔹 An independent compliance and risk function
🔹 A clear and accountable board structure
🔹 Fit-and-proper directors and officers
🔹 Adequate capital reserves to sustain operations
🔹 Tested AML/CFT policies and reporting systems
This ensures that only serious, well-governed firms operate in the UAE mainland financial market.
🔹 An independent compliance and risk function
🔹 A clear and accountable board structure
🔹 Fit-and-proper directors and officers
🔹 Adequate capital reserves to sustain operations
🔹 Tested AML/CFT policies and reporting systems
This ensures that only serious, well-governed firms operate in the UAE mainland financial market.
How are tokenized offerings regulated by the SCA?
Tokenized instruments (such as security tokens, asset-backed tokens, or structured digital products) are classified as securities or commodities under SCA rules. They fall fully within the regulator’s perimeter, meaning approval is mandatory before issuance, listing, or distribution.
This protects investors and ensures tokenized projects meet the same standards of transparency, AML/CFT compliance, and cybersecurity as traditional securities.
This protects investors and ensures tokenized projects meet the same standards of transparency, AML/CFT compliance, and cybersecurity as traditional securities.
We're here to help you!
If you plan to engage in brokerage, custody, trading platforms, or tokenized securities in the UAE mainland, an SCA license is essential. It signals credibility, compliance, and readiness for long-term growth.
