UAE’s SCA Launches Region’s First ‘Finfluencer’ Licence to Regulate Digital Financial Content

ABU DHABI — In a landmark move to enhance digital financial oversight, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has launched the region’s first “Finfluencer” licence, aimed at regulating individuals who disseminate investment-related content across digital and traditional platforms.

The new regulatory category reflects the UAE’s commitment to proactive governance in the digital economy, as the SCA positions itself at the forefront of financial innovation and investor protection.

“Introducing the Finfluencer licence is not just a compliance tool—it’s a strategic pivot towards reshaping the role of financial regulators in a digitised world,” said Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, CEO of the SCA. “We are reinforcing global standards of market integrity, transparency, and accountability through a forward-thinking regulatory framework.”

A Strategic Response to the Digital Finance Era

The Finfluencer licence is part of a broader suite of incentive measures introduced by the SCA to keep pace with the rapid evolution of digital finance. Designed to formalise and supervise financial content creators, the licence applies to individuals offering investment analysis, promotional advice, or market commentary linked to regulated products and services within the UAE.

To encourage compliance and foster innovation, the SCA has waived registration, renewal, and legal consultation fees for a period of three years—a move intended to reduce administrative barriers and support the development of a trusted digital financial ecosystem.

Scope and Eligibility

The licence covers individuals who provide financial opinions, recommendations, or educational content related to:

• Buying, holding, or selling financial instruments or virtual assets.

• Evaluating the performance or value of financial products or services.

• Engaging the public via social media, blogs, videos, online forums, traditional media appearances, or financial events.

Applicants must register with the SCA and meet all regulatory obligations under the applicable laws. The initiative ensures Finfluencers operate within a structured environment that prioritises market transparency and consumer protection.

Elevating Market Standards and Financial Literacy

The introduction of the Finfluencer licence underscores the SCA’s broader strategy to strengthen the UAE’s status as a regional and global financial hub. By embracing agile, risk-aware regulatory models, the Authority aims to:

• Safeguard public trust in capital markets.

• Reinforce compliance with international best practices.

• Promote ethical standards in financial communications.

• Advance financial literacy across diverse investor groups.

Enabling a Trusted Digital Finance Environment

This initiative reaffirms the UAE’s leadership in shaping a digitally enabled, innovation-driven financial sector. As content creators play an increasingly influential role in shaping public investment behaviour, the Finfluencer licence offers a structured path for responsible engagement, aligning with the SCA’s mission to ensure market integrity and long-term financial resilience.