Newsletter Archives - LexisNexis Middle East

UAE: State Security Launches Confidential Reporting Service

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 2 February 2026: The UAE has introduced a new confidential reporting mechanism aimed at strengthening national security by enabling the public to report threats anonymously.

The UAE State Security Department has launched a confidential security reporting service allowing citizens and residents to submit information on security‑related concerns without disclosing their identity. The initiative was unveiled under the slogan “State Security is Everyone’s Responsibility” and is designed to support early detection of risks to public safety and national unity.

According to the authorities, the service covers a wide range of matters, including extremist activity, suspicious behaviour, espionage, information leaks, threats to public order, and insults or defamation targeting the state and its symbols. Reports may be made at any time through several official channels, including a toll‑free number, a dedicated website, a mobile application and an SMS service.

The State Security Department emphasised that confidentiality and data protection sit at the core of the initiative. Individuals may submit reports anonymously, with assurances that personal data will be handled securely and in line with recognised privacy standards.

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Sharjah: New Resolution Issued to Regulate Economic Activities

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 28 January 2026: Sharjah’s Executive Council has issued a new resolution regulating economic activities in the emirate, aiming to strengthen its investment climate and support sustainable economic growth.

The decision had been taken during the Council’s regular meeting. Officials reviewed the performance of government departments and their development plans to enhance service quality for individuals and institutions.

The Council also formed a Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee to oversee legal matters. The resolution regulating economic activities seeks to promote Sharjah’s economic position, enhance competitiveness, attract national and foreign investment, and establish a supportive environment for business growth.

Additional details from parallel reporting indicate that the resolution outlines legal provisions governing the role of the Sharjah Economic Development Department, rules for licensing establishments, and obligations for licence holders—creating a structured framework that will guide business operations and strengthen sustainable economic development.

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Saudi Arabia: CMA Fully Opens Capital Market to Foreign Investors

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Saudi Gazette, 1 February 2026: Saudi Arabia has taken a major regulatory step by fully opening its capital market to all categories of foreign investors, reshaping access to the Kingdom’s main stock exchange.

Saudi Arabia has approved a new regulatory framework allowing all foreign investors to access the capital market directly, and the changes took effect on 1 February. The Capital Market Authority announced that overseas institutions, funds and other foreign entities could now trade directly on the Tadawul All Share Index without meeting prior qualification requirements.

The reform abolished the long‑standing Qualified Foreign Investor regime and removed the regulatory structure governing swap agreements, which had previously limited non‑resident investors to economic exposure rather than direct share ownership. Under the new framework, foreign investors are permitted to invest directly in shares listed on the main market, aligning Saudi Arabia’s access rules more closely with international standards.

The CMA confirmed that foreign ownership limits remained in place. Non‑resident foreign investors, excluding strategic investors, are prohibited from holding 10% or more of any listed company, while total foreign ownership in a listed issuer is capped at 49%. The authority stated that these limits were intended to balance market openness with stability and regulatory oversight.

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QFC: Secured Data Protection Adequacy with ADGM and DIFC

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 30 January 2026: The Qatar Financial Centre has secured reciprocal data protection adequacy recognition with Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai International Financial Centre, easing lawful cross‑border data transfers between the three financial hubs.

The Qatar Financial Centre announced that it was included in the data protection adequacy lists of both ADGM and DIFC, following a comprehensive assessment of its data protection framework, enforcement mechanisms, and alignment with international best practices. In return, the QFC recognised the adequacy of the data protection regimes in the two UAE financial free zones, establishing mutual regulatory trust.

The adequacy recognition means that personal and sensitive data may now be transferred between entities operating in the QFC, ADGM, and DIFC without the need for additional transfer safeguards or contractual mechanisms, provided transfers comply with the applicable local data protection regimes. The review process was supported by specialist legal firms and reserved for jurisdictions demonstrating consistently high standards of data protection.

Regulators stated that the move will reduce compliance costs and administrative burdens for businesses operating across the three centres, while maintaining strong rights, accountability, and enforcement protections for data subjects. The initiative is expected to support digital trade, regional data‑driven business models, and shared services arrangements within the Gulf’s financial services ecosystem.

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Oman: Labour Ministry Mandates Professional Classification for Industry Roles

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Oman Observer, 29 January 2026: Oman’s Ministry of Labour have announced the rollout of a mandatory professional classification and licensing system for industrial sector occupations, tying workforce accreditation to work‑permit issuance.

Under the new framework, workers in designated industrial occupations will be required to obtain professional classification certificates or professional practice licences through the official accreditation platform. The Ministry have stated that the phased implementation will begin on 9 February 2026, while full enforcement will take effect from 1 May 2026. From that date, the Ministry will not issue or renew work permits unless the required professional accreditation has been obtained for the listed occupations.

The classification track covers professional and technical roles such as factory managers, operations and maintenance managers, analytical chemists, risk analysts, technicians, and designers, while the licensing track applies to skilled operational roles including machine operators, food industry technicians, carpenters, and stone and marble workers. The system applies to both Omani and expatriate workers employed in the relevant positions.

The Ministry urged employers to complete registration and accreditation procedures within the prescribed timelines to avoid disruptions to employment or operational activities.

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Kuwait: Central Bank Cuts Daily Cash Cap at Exchange Firms

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 2 February 2026: Kuwait’s central bank has tightened controls on cash transactions by sharply reducing the amount exchange companies may accept from customers each day.

The Central Bank of Kuwait lowered the maximum daily cash amount that exchange firms may accept from a customer to KD 1,000, down from the previous ceiling of KD 3,000. The restriction applies to all customer dealings, including foreign remittances and the buying or selling of currencies, and took effect as part of strengthened supervisory measures.

Under the directive, exchange companies are prohibited from accepting cash payments exceeding the new limit, or its equivalent in foreign currency, from any customer in a single day. The regulator clarified that the decision does not impose a cap on the overall value of transfers or currency transactions. Any amount above the KD 1,000 cash threshold must instead be settled through bank account deductions or other non‑cash payment methods approved by the central bank.

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Dubai: Launch of New Family‑Focused Digital Media Platform

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Dubai has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new digital media platform designed to provide family‑focused content across a range of genres and formats.

The approval was granted by Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, during the Council’s first meeting of 2026. The platform forms part of Dubai Media’s strategy to strengthen the emirate’s digital media ecosystem and respond to evolving content‑consumption trends.

The launch follows a review of sector priorities, including investment in talent, technology and new production capabilities, with further initiatives expected as part of the emirate’s ongoing media development plans.

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Bahrain: Parliament Debate GCC Land Transport Framework

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Digital News, 30 January 2026: Bahrain’s Shura Council has put on its agenda a debate on a decree‑law approving a unified GCC framework for international land transport, marking a step towards regional legal harmonisation in cross‑border road transport.

Shura Council placed on its agenda a debate on Bahrain Decree-Law No. 35/2025 on the Approval of the Unified System (Law) for International Land Transport Among GCC Countries. Bahrain Decree-Law No. 35/2025 seeks to align Bahrain’s domestic legal framework with a regional system governing cross‑border land transport between Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

The unified framework is intended to regulate the movement of goods and passengers across GCC borders by establishing common legal standards for licensing, operational requirements, and compliance obligations. Officials indicated that the harmonised regime aims to facilitate trade flows, improve road safety, and enhance coordination among GCC transport authorities, reducing regulatory fragmentation between member states.

During discussions, it has been noted that several GCC states have already begun implementing the unified system, and Bahrain’s approval is designed to ensure consistency and legal compatibility across the region. The framework is expected to support regional supply chains by streamlining cross‑border transport procedures and reducing administrative barriers for operators engaged in international land transport.

The Shura Council’s consideration of the decree forms part of Bahrain’s constitutional process for reviewing decree‑laws issued when Parliament is not in session. Parliamentary debate allows members to assess the legal, economic, and regulatory implications of adopting region‑wide legislation and to ensure alignment with national transport policies and public‑interest considerations.

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ADGM: Discussion Paper on Crypto Mining Regulation

05/02/202605/02/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The ADGM Registration Authority has launched a public consultation on a proposed regulatory framework to govern crypto mining activities conducted within or from the financial free zone.

The Registration Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market published Discussion Paper No. 1/2026, inviting stakeholder feedback on proposed guidance for crypto mining operations linked to ADGM. The initiative aimed to provide regulatory clarity while supporting responsible innovation and strong governance standards across the crypto mining ecosystem.

Under the proposals, crypto mining would be regulated as a licensed commercial activity overseen by the Registration Authority, rather than as a financial service. The framework adopts a technology‑neutral approach, applying to all consensus mechanisms, including proof‑of‑work, proof‑of‑stake, and future blockchain technologies. This distinction reflects the Authority’s position that mining activity aligns more closely with infrastructure and operational services than with regulated financial activity.

The discussion paper also set out clear governance and compliance expectations, including corporate transparency, disclosure of beneficial ownership, and standards of operational integrity. Supervisory oversight would follow a risk‑based model, with regulatory scrutiny calibrated according to the scale, complexity, and geographic reach of mining operations.

A notable feature of the proposal is the introduction of global headquarters oversight, requiring ADGM‑registered entities that manage or coordinate overseas crypto mining activities to maintain consistent governance and control across international operations. The Registration Authority invited responses from mining operators, ADGM‑based headquarters, technology providers, auditors, and other industry participants, with consultation submissions open until 20 March 2026.

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UAE: New Stablecoin Rules Reshaped Payments and Banking

30/01/202630/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 21 January 2026: The UAE had introduced one of the Gulf’s most comprehensive stablecoin regulatory frameworks, formally integrating dirham‑backed digital tokens into its financial system.

The Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR) had taken effect on 31 August 2024, establishing the legal structure through which dirham‑backed stablecoins may operate inside the UAE. According to S&P Global Ratings, the framework had been designed to connect the traditional banking system with the digital‑asset ecosystem, marking a significant shift in how digital payment instruments are supervised.

Under the PTSR, any stablecoin used for domestic payments must be issued by a licensed entity under ongoing regulatory supervision. The regulation governs issuance, conversion, custody and transfer, and had set strict operational conditions intended to protect consumers and strengthen market integrity. It requires the segregation of reserve assets, monthly external audits, and a minimum initial capital requirement of Dh15 million, together with additional capital linked to tokens in circulation.

The PTSR also draws clear boundaries on what stablecoins can and cannot do. It prohibits interest or any time‑based financial benefits linked to holding payment tokens and bans algorithmic stablecoins entirely. Foreign payment tokens cannot be used locally to buy goods or services—other than virtual‑asset purchases—ensuring that domestic payment activity remains within the regulated UAE environment.

Licensed dirham‑backed tokens have already entered the market. In December 2024, the Central Bank approved AE Coin as the UAE’s first fully licensed payment stablecoin. By January 2026, AE Coin had been integrated into Network International’s point‑of‑sale and online‑payment systems, enabling merchants across the country to accept stablecoin payments. Banks have also begun positioning themselves within the evolving ecosystem: FAB, ADQ and IHC had announced plans in April 2025 to issue a regulated stablecoin, while digital bank Zand launched “Zand AE” in November 2025 and RAKBANK secured initial approval in January 2026.

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