LexisNexis Middle East

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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News developments

Sharjah: Higher Monthly Allowances for Thousands of Citizens

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

Gulf News, 26 January 2026: The Ruler of Sharjah has directed an increase in monthly financial allowances for more than 6,300 citizens, strengthening the emirate’s social welfare framework and expanding state‑backed support for vulnerable groups.

Monthly allowances for 6,317 Emirati citizens will be raised to Dh17,500. The directive applies to eligible beneficiaries including senior citizens, widows, divorcees, and low‑income families with two or more members.

The decision is expected to carry an annual cost of approximately Dh524 million and will take effect from January 2026, with payments to be made in line with existing administrative procedures. The measure reflects continued use of executive powers to expand social protection without altering eligibility criteria.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: New Rules on Foreign Property Ownership

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

Gulf News, 23 January 2026: Saudi Arabia has begun enforcing a new regulatory framework governing how non‑Saudis can acquire real estate, marking the formal rollout of rules that channel foreign property ownership through a single digital system.

The Real Estate General Authority have confirmed that the Regulation on Real Estate Ownership by Non‑Saudis under Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 42/1447 have officially taken effect, bringing into force a system that standardises applications and approvals for property ownership by foreigners. Under the regime, all requests must now be processed through Saudi Properties, the government’s unified digital portal for real‑estate services.

The rules apply to residents holding valid residency permits, non‑residents, and foreign companies and entities, with each category subject to a distinct administrative pathway. Resident applicants are permitted to apply directly through the portal, while non‑residents were required to initiate the process through Saudi diplomatic missions abroad to obtain a digital identity before completing applications electronically. Foreign companies without a physical presence in the Kingdom must register first with the Ministry of Investment and obtain a unified identification number before seeking ownership approval.

The regulation allows non‑Saudi ownership across multiple regions of the Kingdom, but introduces heightened controls for strategically sensitive locations. Ownership in Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, will be governed by a separate geographic zoning framework that authorities indicated is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2026. In Mecca and Medina, ownership remains restricted to Saudi companies and Muslim individuals.

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News developments

Qatar: Shura Council Reviews Draft Laws and Social Policy Reports

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

Gulf Times, 27 January 2026: Qatar’s Shura Council has examined proposed legislative amendments and reviewed government follow‑up reports on key social policy issues, highlighting growing institutional coordination between the legislature and the executive.

The Shura Council reviewed a draft law proposing amendments to existing GCC‑framework legislation on fertilisers and soil conditioners, which had been referred by the government. The Council forwarded the proposal to its Committee on Health, General Services and the Environment for detailed study and the preparation of a report, marking the next step in the legislative review process.

The Council also examined a government statement responding to earlier recommendations on services and benefits for senior citizens. That matter was referred to the Committee on Social Affairs, Labour and Housing for review and follow‑up, reflecting the Council’s supervisory role over social policy and welfare matters.

In addition, members were briefed on government follow‑up reports addressing rising divorce rates in Qatari society and the national framework for promoting values and moral conduct. The Council welcomed the reports, noting that they demonstrated a coordinated and systematic response to parliamentary recommendations and a high level of institutional integration between state authorities.

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News developments

Oman: New Regulation For Work Injuries And Occupational Diseases

29/01/202629/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Oman Observer, 26 January 2026: Oman has introduced a new regulation governing work injuries and occupational diseases, expanding social insurance coverage and clarifying employer obligations under the country’s social protection framework.

The Social Protection Fund issued Oman Ministerial Decision No. 1/2026 approving updated rules for the Work Injuries and Occupational Diseases Insurance Branch as part of efforts to strengthen worker protection across the Sultanate. The regulation requires employers to pay a monthly contribution of 1% of an insured employee’s wage, with the full cost borne by the employer.

Coverage is mandatory for all Omani workers, regardless of the form of employment. This includes workers employed under permanent, temporary, training, and part‑time contracts, as well as retired employees who continue to work. Authorities said the expansion aims to close protection gaps and ensure consistent insurance coverage across the labour market.

The Social Protection Fund stated that the regulation is designed to enhance financial security for workers who suffer workplace injuries or occupational illnesses, while reinforcing national standards for social protection.

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News developments

Kuwait: Cabinet Approved Amendments to Civil‑Service Law

29/01/202629/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Significant amendments to Kuwait Law No. 28/2016 amending Certain Provisions of Kuwait Decree-Law No. 15/1979 on the Civil Service gave been approved to strengthen administrative efficiency, improve public‑sector performance, and modernise workforce management.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, the Civil Service Council have endorsed a package of amendments aimed at raising efficiency within Kuwait’s administrative system and aligning state management with modern governance standards. The amendments have been designed to enhance the optimal use of human resources while improving the quality and consistency of public services.

The reforms have focused on reinforcing productivity, linking job‑related incentives to actual performance, and strengthening the principles of job justice and equality across the civil‑service structure. The changes also introduce stronger mechanisms for oversight, accountability, and unified recruitment policies, ensuring that organisational inconsistencies will be addressed more systematically.

The amendments have promoted the use of automated assessment systems and information‑driven decision‑making tools, enabling government agencies to evaluate employee performance through modern, data‑supported methods.

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News developments

Dubai: Police Launched Digital Lawyers Platform with Seven Legal Services

29/01/202629/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 22 January 2026: Dubai Police have launched a dedicated digital Lawyers Platform offering seven fully online legal services to streamline procedures and reduce the need for physical visits to police stations.

Dubai Police announced the launch of the Lawyers Platform during a press conference unveiling the second generation of its official website and smart application. Officials said the initiative is part of Dubai’s wider digital‑transformation and Zero Bureaucracy agenda, aimed at improving service efficiency, enhancing integration with justice partners, and supporting legal practitioners through secure digital channels.

The platform is designed exclusively for lawyers and legal consultants, enabling them to complete transactions digitally, upload documents, manage case files, and track applications in real time. A unified case‑management system allows the monitoring of applications, circulars and travel bans, with continuous updates sent through email, SMS and in‑platform notifications.

Dubai Police stated that the new system would reduce in‑person visits to police stations, easing operational pressure on officers and allowing them to focus on core policing duties. Officials added that the digital shift also strengthens transparency and enhances communication with justice partners by keeping all legal interactions within a secure and authenticated digital environment.

The seven digital legal services

According to the Gulf News report, the Lawyers Platform includes seven core services designed specifically for legal professionals:

Power of Attorney Linking – digitally linking POAs to police reports for formal legal representation.
Electronic Power of Attorney Signing – enabling legally authenticated, fully digital POA signing.
Clearance Certificate – obtaining Dubai‑Police‑issued clearance documents required to lift circulars.
Filing Criminal Complaints – allowing lawyers to file complaints on behalf of clients after verification and POA linkage.
To Whom It May Concern Certificates – issuing official certificates related to cases or transactions.
Detainee or Inmate Visit Permit – enabling authorised video communication with detainees.]
Circulars and Travel Ban Inquiry – viewing financial status, identifying issuing authorities, paying dues and completing the process digitally. Dubai Police noted that around 10,000 users per day access this specific service.

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News developments

Bahrain: Shura Panel Backs Tougher Regulation of External Auditors

29/01/202629/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Bahrain Digital News, 23 January 2026: Bahrain has taken a step towards tightening financial oversight after a Shura Council panel backed amendments to Bahrain Decree-Law No. 15/2021 with Respect to External Auditors.

A Shura Council committee supported proposed amendments to Bahrain Decree-Law No. 15/2021 that are designed to strengthen supervision of the auditing profession through stricter standards and tougher penalties. The Financial and Economic Affairs Committee said the reforms are necessary to enhance transparency and protect confidence in the country’s financial system.

The panel reviewed the draft changes before endorsing them.

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News developments

UAE: New Child Digital Safety Law Imposes Strict Rules on Global Apps

23/01/202623/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 15 January 2026: The United Arab Emirates has enacted Federal Decree-Law No. 26/2025 on Child Digital Safety, introducing stringent compliance requirements for platforms such as TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat to protect minors online.

UAE authorities confirmed the implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 26/2025 on Child Digital Safety, a landmark regulation aimed at safeguarding children from harmful online content and exploitation. The law mandates global social media and streaming platforms—including TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, and others—to adopt robust safety measures, including age verification, parental controls, and proactive content moderation.

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 26/2025, platforms must ensure that minors are shielded from inappropriate material, cyberbullying, and predatory behaviour. Failure to comply could result in severe penalties, including fines, service restrictions, or suspension within the UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 26/2025 also empowers regulators to audit compliance and enforce corrective actions swiftly.

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News developments

Sharjah: Executive Council Reviewed Draft Drone Regulation Law

23/01/202623/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 20 January 2026: The Sharjah Executive Council has reviewed a draft law regulating unmanned aerial vehicles or drones in the emirate.

The Council has examined a draft law governing the use of drones in Sharjah, which is aligning the legislative framework to the UAE’s broader aviation‑sector development. Council Members asked that a number of points be added into the draft before it is referred to the Sharjah Consultative Council.

The draft law seeks to regulate drone usage through clear legal provisions which will enhance safety, ensure compliance, and support the emirate’s strategic aviation ambitions.

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