ABU DHABI: The number of companies licensed by the UAE Capital Markets Authority increased 43 percent year on year during the first nine months of 2026, as the country’s regulated financial services sector expanded alongside continued fundraising activity.
The authority’s October 26 announcement also showed a 64 percent increase in accredited professionals. The figures highlighted growth across the sector during a period in which the regulator strengthened supervision and investor protection.
Foreign Investors Account for Nearly Half of Trading
The combined market capitalization of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market stood at AED 3.7 trillion at the end of September.
Trading across the two exchanges reached AED 408 billion during the nine-month period, with foreign investors accounting for 49 percent of the total. Both exchanges’ general indices ended September above their levels a year earlier, while market volatility eased during the third quarter.
Financing activity also continued. Bond and sukuk issuances totaled AED 576 billion, while companies completed approximately AED 3.4 billion in capital increases.
Local investment funds recorded substantial growth, with their number rising 94 percent year on year to 97. Assets under management increased 30 percent to AED 28.6 billion.
Regulator Expands Enforcement and Client Protection
The expansion coincided with increased regulatory enforcement. The number of financial penalties imposed rose 246 percent compared with the corresponding period of 2025, while their combined value increased 23 percent to AED 12.9 million.
The authority handled 192 percent more complaints and reported approximately AED 1.2 billion in refunds to clients, compared with AED 8 million a year earlier.
Virtual Assets and Market Rules Advance
During the reporting period, the CMA issued six regulatory instruments covering areas including virtual assets, capital requirements for licensed firms and the use of collateral.
Its new digital service registered 102 virtual assets for admission to trading during the third quarter. The authority also delivered 224 investor awareness activities, including five campaigns.
CMA Chief Executive Officer Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi said the authority would continue strengthening supervision, transparency, and investor protection while supporting responsible innovation.
He attributed the resilience of UAE capital markets to their regulatory foundations and infrastructure, adding that continued growth in licensed companies and fundraising demonstrated their capacity to support economic activity.
