[World Corporate Law News] UAE Capital Market Law & Malaysia Social Exchange

Editorial Team – [2026] 183 taxmann.com 503 (Article)

World Corporate Law News provides a weekly snapshot of corporate law developments from around the globe. Here’s a glimpse of the key corporate law update this week.

1. Securities Law

1.1 UAE Government Issues Two Federal Decree Laws on the Capital Market Authority and the Regulation of Capital Markets

On February 12, 2026, the President of the United Arab Emirates issued Federal Decree Law No. (32) of 2025 and Federal Decree Law No. (33) of 2025, which establishes the regulatory framework for the capital markets sector and the Capital Market Authority. Both Decree-Laws entered into effect on January 1, 2026.

This legislative step forms part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to modernize the financial sector’s legislative and supervisory frameworks; strengthen market stability, efficiency, and competitiveness; and ensure conformity with international best practices. The Decree-Laws further reinforce the stability of the Capital Market Authority and bolster its role in maintaining market integrity while promoting fair and orderly competition.

The key provisions include:

(a) Renaming the Securities and Commodities Authority as the Capital Market Authority.

(b) Introducing new regulated financial activities.

(c) Strengthening the Capital Market Authority’s supervisory powers over the capital markets sector.

(d) Regulating the Investor Protection Fund and the Settlement Guarantee Fund.

(e) Defining the Capital Market Authority’s role in prudential oversight and the management of exceptional circumstances.

(f) Granting the Capital Market Authority the power to enter into conciliation before the initiation of criminal proceedings.

(g) Establishing the Capital Market Authority’s jurisdiction to designate systematically important persons and to regulate early interventions, settlement, and resolution mechanisms.

Source – Official Announcement