SCA Licensing Experts for UAE Federal Securities & Tokenized Asset Approvals
SecureVisa Group is the UAE's SCA licensing experts - guiding you through every step to secure your legal Securities and Commodities Authority license. Whether launching a brokerage, trading platform, custody service, or tokenized securities project, our team ensures your approval process is faster, fully compliant, and future-ready to meet all federal standards.
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 (Dubai), ADGM (Abu Dhabi), or DFSA (DIFC), an SCA license is authorizes your business to operate on the UAE mainland under the nation's highest regulatory standards. Companies holding an SCA license demonstrate full compliance, institutional trust, and market access across the UAE - making it the benchmark for credibility, investor confidence, and legal operation in the country.
National Reach & Market Access
Most free-zone licenses restrict operations to their specific jurisdictions. An SCA license grants federal authorization, enabling your firm to serve investors, institutions, and retail clients all of the UAE mainland.
- One license, full market coverage: Avoid managing multiple free zone entities - operate seamlessly throughout the UAE.
- Direct access to major financial hubs: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah markets become available to your business.
- Institutional entry points: Work directly with family offices, sovereign funds, and listed entities that prefer SCA-licensed firms.
Why it matters: National coverage means a larger client base, fewer operational barriers, and increased growth opportunities.
- One license, full market coverage: Avoid managing multiple free zone entities - operate seamlessly throughout the UAE.
- Direct access to major financial hubs: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah markets become available to your business.
- Institutional entry points: Work directly with family offices, sovereign funds, and listed entities that prefer SCA-licensed firms.
Why it matters: National coverage means a larger client base, fewer operational barriers, and increased growth opportunities.
Unmatched Credibility & Regulatory Trust
In the UAE, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) is widely recognized for setting the standards in financial oversight and regulatory compliance. Achieving an SCA license demonstrates that your firm meets the UAE's highest levels of governance, risk management, and AML/CFT compliance, giving regulators, banks, and strategic partners confidence in your operations.
- Banking Relationships: SCA-Licensed firms are better positioned to open and maintain corporate bank accounts, though outcomes may vary by institution.
- Capital Raising: Investors often trust projects regulated by the SCA, knowing due diligence and oversight have been conducted at a federal level.
- Market Reputation: Platforms without SCA licensing risk skepticism from banks, partners, and regulators, while an SCA license shows transparent compliance and credibility.
Why it matters: In the UAE's financial market, regulatory trust drives growth. SCA licensing signals strong governance and creates a strategic advantage for your business.
- Banking Relationships: SCA-Licensed firms are better positioned to open and maintain corporate bank accounts, though outcomes may vary by institution.
- Capital Raising: Investors often trust projects regulated by the SCA, knowing due diligence and oversight have been conducted at a federal level.
- Market Reputation: Platforms without SCA licensing risk skepticism from banks, partners, and regulators, while an SCA license shows transparent compliance and credibility.
Why it matters: In the UAE's financial market, regulatory trust drives growth. SCA licensing signals strong governance and creates a strategic advantage for your business.
Future-Proof Growth in Digital Assets
The UAE is recognized as a global leader in virtual asset regulation, with the SCA framework supporting tokenization, blockchain inovation, and digital asset markets. The SCA's regulatory structure is designed to adapt with the industry, providing firms with a clear, future-ready foundation for growth in digital finance.
- Tokenization of real-world assets: Real estate, funds, and securities can be digitized and regulated under SCA oversight, enabling secure and compliant digital transactions.
- Digital securities and blockchain funds: The SCA framework includes robust rules for digital securities, investment products, and blockchain-based offerings, facilitating institutional participation.
- Adaptability to innovation: With evolving rules covering NFTs, stablecoins, and Web3 assets, the SCA ensures competitiveness while prioritizing investor protection.
Why it matters: SCA licensing doesn't just ensure compliance today - it strategically positions your business to thrive in tomorrow's dynamic digital asset landscape.
- Tokenization of real-world assets: Real estate, funds, and securities can be digitized and regulated under SCA oversight, enabling secure and compliant digital transactions.
- Digital securities and blockchain funds: The SCA framework includes robust rules for digital securities, investment products, and blockchain-based offerings, facilitating institutional participation.
- Adaptability to innovation: With evolving rules covering NFTs, stablecoins, and Web3 assets, the SCA ensures competitiveness while prioritizing investor protection.
Why it matters: SCA licensing doesn't just ensure compliance today - it strategically positions your business to thrive in tomorrow's dynamic digital asset 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 arranging trades or acting as financial intermediaries in the UAE must obtain an SCA license to operate legally and earn 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 prove they are fully prepared, resilient, and transparent, with investor protection at their core. The SCA carefully reviews each application, requiring robust capital, qualified leadership, strong compliance systems, and operational integrity.
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 SecureVisa Group 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 SecureVisa Group 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. SecureVisa Group 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 SecureVisa Group 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
SecureVisa Group assesses your business model against SCA requirements, guiding you to the right license - onshore or free zone - based on your goals and activities. Choosing the correct regulatory path is essential for faster approval and avoiding costly rejections; our expert support helps every team, no mater the size, stay aligned and ready for SCA compliance.
Queries & Conditions – Managing Regulator Engagement
SCA may ask questions or setconditions during licensing review. SecureVisa Group manages all correspondence and clarifications, ensuring responses meet regulatory standards and protect your business from unnecessary exposure. Handling regulator queries correctly is critical- mistakes can cause delays or stall your application.
Application – Building a Bulletproof Dossier
SecureVisa Group prepares and files your application dossier - including ownership, financials, AML/CFT policies, and governance - directly with the SCA. A thorough, regulator-ready submission accelerates the review and increases your chance of fast approval.
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.