Firms To Watch: Banking and finance: Financial services regulation

Banking and finance: Financial services regulation in United Arab Emirates

Clyde & Co LLP

Clyde & Co LLP is recognised for its strength in a plethora of financial services regulatory mandates, ranging from licensing application support to advise on digital payment solutions. Peter Hodgins spearheads the practice group, working closely with Tom Bicknell.

Praxisleiter:

 


 


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Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company offers ‘deep industry insight and strategic foresight’ to public sector bodies, private corporations and local financial institutions. The financial services regulatory practice, which is jointly spearheaded by Jody Waugh and Divya Abrol Gambhir, is adept at handling licensing applications and complex multijurisdictional compliance queries. Waugh is noted for his ability to expertly navigate DFSA regulations while Gambhir is often called upon to advise on legislative reform in this sector. Mamoon Khan impresses in development finance matters while Ali Awad is adept at handling the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions.

Praxisleiter:

Jody Waugh; Divya Abrol Gambhir


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Mamoon Khan; Ali Awad; Hedieh Shams Molavi


Referenzen

‘Al Tamimi law firm consistently delivers a level of expertise and client service that exceeds our expectations. The team‑lead, Jody Waugh, demonstrated deep industry insight and strategic foresight throughout many transactions and regulatory advises across the UAE.‘

‚Throughout the engagement, the lawyers were responsive, collaborative, and transparent, offering pragmatic solutions that protected our commercial interests and added measurable value. Their professionalism, combined with a genuine commitment to understanding our business objectives, makes them a trusted advisor we will continue to rely on for future banking and finance transactions.‘

‘Our experience with  the law firm has consistently shown that the lawyers we deal with are not just technically proficient. They bring a rare blend of industry insight, commercial pragmatism and client‑first mindset that sets them apart from other top‑tier firms.‘

Kernmandanten

Janus Henderson Investors US LLC


Wyn Resorts Group


Zeal Holdings (Traze)


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  • Acted for Janus Henderson Investors US LLC on their strategic entry into the emerging markets private capital sector through its acquisition of NBK Capital Partners Limited, a financial services firm licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in ADGM.
  • Acted for Wyn Resorts Group and advised as the sole UAE law counsel on the development financing (by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Deutsche Bank AG, Emirates NBD, SMBC, First Abu Dhabi Bank) and establishment of the first gaming facility and resort in the UAE in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
  • Acted for Zeal Holdings in successfully navigating the complex process of obtaining a Category 1 license from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) in the UAE for two activities.

A&O Shearman

Under the stewardship of Jodi Norman, A&O Shearman is recognised for its ability to advise on the full gamut of the financial services regulation spectrum. The team is regularly called upon by regulators, multinational financial services corporations and international banks. Norman frequently advises clients on cryptocurrency matters and tokenisation mandates, ensuring they remain compliant with regulations across multiple jurisdictions. Will Tunstall-Prince is adept at handling FSRA and ADGM licensing matters. Jamie Turner also comes recommended. Victoria Ferres left the firm in October 2025.

Praxisleiter:

Jodi Norman


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jamie Turner; Will Tunstall-Prince


Referenzen

‘Jodi Norman and her team are exceptionally knowledgeable in UAE Financial Services Regulations. They always provide detailed, commercial and useable advice. They are my first point of contact for financial services regulatory matters.’

 

Kernmandanten

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank


AC Limited


ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority


AJ Gallager


Bank of America


Barclays


Barrenjoey


Blue Horizon Advisors


BNP Paribas


Checkout.com


Circle


Davidson Kempner


DFM / NASDAQ Dubai


Dubai Future Foundation


Dubai Multi Commodities Centre


e& / e& money


Emirates NBD


Etihad Airways


First Abu Dhabi Bank


Fisher Investments


G42


Goldman Sachs


Hub71


ICE Market


Mastercard


Metlife Group


Mubadala Capital


Network International


Nomura


Qatar Energy


Qatar Financial Centre Authority / Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority


Remitly


SMBC


Standard Chartered Bank


Taptap Send


UBS


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  • Advising Barclays on their re-entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Advising Circle Internet Financial Limited (Circle) on their expansion in the UAE.
  • Advising Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) on the design and launch of a pilot scheme to support the tokenisation of fractional interests in real estate in Dubai.

Clifford Chance

The global financial markets practice group at Clifford Chance has a wealth of experience with cryptocurrency-related matters and M&A regulatory compliance mandates, demonstrating considerable strength in the digital assets sector. The team, which is jointly led by Jack Hardman and Cheuk Yin Cheung, is a reliable contact for foreign investors, regulatory bodies and international financial institutions. Hardman is noted for his capabilities in a wide array of fintech matters. Cheung excels when offering regulatory advise on industrial netting. James Dadford has a strong track record in licensing mandates. Josh Morrison is a key name of note in the team.

Praxisleiter:

Jack Hardman; Cheuk Yin Cheung


Weitere Kernanwälte:

James Dadford; Josh Morrison


Referenzen

‘CC has a very unique group of partners, with vast experience in different industries. The CC team are always accessible and ready to help at anytime with short notice. They accompany the customer throughout the documentation to ensure closure of the transaction in an efficient manner.‘

‘I have dealt with Jack Hardman and his team. Jack was very professional, helpful, and his attention to detail is remarkable.‘

Clifford Chance’s Financial Services Regulation team demonstrates a strong ability to anticipate regulatory trends, give strategic advice, and guide clients through complex, fast-evolving frameworks with confidence. Clifford Chance stands out for its international platform and ability to coordinate advice across multiple jurisdictions. Clients benefit from a consistently high standard of service wherever they operate.’

Kernmandanten

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank


Abu Dhabi Global Market


Adyen


Al Ansari


Arab Monetary Fund


Bank of America


Bank of New York


Blackrock


Careem Networks FZ


DP World


Dubai International Financial Centre Authority


Emirates Development Bank


FIA


First Abu Dhabi Bank


HSBC Bank Middle East


International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.


Investcorp


Mashreqbank


NMC Healthcare Group


Offset8 Capital Limited


Payward Limited (Kraken)


Saudi Tadawul Group


UAE Central Bank


Worldpay


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  • Advising the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) on its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Implementation Strategy. The strategy, which represents one of nine initiatives in the CBUAE’s Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme, sets out a roadmap for the introduction and development of a new CDBC (the Digital Dirham), across a range of domestic and cross-border use-cases.
  • Advised Mashreqbank PSC („Mashreq“), one of the UAE’s leading financial institutions, on the sale of a majority stake in NEOPAY, the UAE’s fast-growing payment solutions provider, to a consortium comprising Arcapita Group Holdings Limited and Dgpays (together in equal partnership, the „Consortium“).
  • Advised Blackrock Inc. on all UAE regulatory aspects of their acquisition of HPS Investment Partners (“HPS”), a leading global credit investment manager with approximately $148 billion in client assets. This mandate included securing the necessary regulatory approvals for the UAE portfolio companies of HPS and BlackRock.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Matthew Shanahan spearheads the financial services and regulation practice group at Norton Rose Fulbright which is particularly well known for its cryptocurrency and fintech expertise. The practice is adept at handling licensing requests, tokenisation mandates and regulatory compliance matters. Shanahan is well versed liaising with VARA and is adept at handling the full range of regulatory matters. He is supported by Hasanali Pirbhai, who is noted for his capabilities in cross-border commodity exchanges. Karl Masi is a name to note for his experience dealing with a variety of regulatory regimes across multiple jurisdictions.

Praxisleiter:

Matthew Shanahan


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Karl Masi; Hasanali Pirbhai


Referenzen

‘The firm demonstrates an impressive combination of deep market knowledge, product expertise, and practical execution. They clearly understand the dynamics of the market and how they shape client needs, allowing them to anticipate issues and provide proactive advice. Their strong grasp of the products ensures that their guidance is not only legally sound but also commercially relevant.‘

‚Most importantly, their ability to deliver efficiently and in a pragmatic manner sets them apart. Clients can rely on the team for clear, actionable solutions that balance risk with business objectives. This combination makes them a highly trusted and effective firm to work with.‘

‘Matthew Shanahan has a strong grasp of the rules vs the product. This deep knowledge allows us to work efficiently and quickly in an industry and changes by the minute.‘

Kernmandanten

Bybit


OKX


Ripple


Bybit


OKX


Ripple


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  • Assisting Bybit with setting up a cryptocurrency exchange in Dubai under the VARA regime.
  • Advised OKX on obtaining a Conditional Full Market Product (FMP) license from the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) to operate a virtual asset exchange in Dubai.
  • Advised Ripple on obtaining a license from the DFSA for Providing Money services. This will allow them to offer their Ripple Payments Direct payment services system in and from the DIFC.

Latham & Watkins LLP

Latham & Watkins LLP houses a renowned financial regulatory practice group, which is a go-to contact for US-headquartered technology corporations, emerging fintech entities, cryptocurrency platforms and international financial institutions. Matthew Rodwell spearheads the practice which is equipped to handle a wide array of matters, including virtual assets license applications, M&A regulatory support, UAE law compliance and online financial product development. Rodwell is noted for his strength in both local and international mandates, demonstrating particular proficiency in Saudi Arabian matters. Ksenia Koroleva is a name of note.

Praxisleiter:

Matthew Rodwell


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Ksenia Koroleva


Referenzen

‘The financial services regulation practice at Latham is second to none in the Middle East. Their lawyers have an extremely solid grip on current regulatory practices in the UAE and across the GCC.‘

‘Matthew Rodwell is a standout advisor who can be called upon to provide solid regulatory advice in a manner that is commercially savvy and practically implementable. With genuinely deep knowledge of both financial regulatory laws and market practices, numerous times.‘

‘The team is very knowledgeable and keen to provide practicable solutions.‘

Kernmandanten

Coinbase


Tabby


Binance


ISLA


J.P. Morgan


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  • Advised Coinbase on the UAE financial regulatory matters in relation to its US$ 2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit, the largest-ever M&A transaction in the digital assets sector.
  • Advises Tabby, the Middle East’s most valuable Unicorn, on an ongoing basis in relation to various regulatory and commercial matters, including its licensing by the UAE Central Bank and Saudi Central Bank and intragroup service arrangements.
  • Advised Binance in connection with its licensing by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and ongoing compliance obligations, including advising on various regulatory compliance requirements, structuring of intragroup arrangements and engagement with VARA and other regulators.

Pinsent Masons

Pinsent Masons possesses ‘deep expertise’ in financial services regulations across multiple jurisdictions and sectors. Under the supervision of Marie Chowdhry, the practice group advises international banks, multinational digital assets corporations and payment services providers on the full gamut of the sector. Chowdhry is noted for her capabilities in regulatory mapping, licensing applications and DIFC regulatory compliance, but has proven to be well versed in securities legislation in jurisdictions across the GCC. Jessica White and Lana Akkad bring further experience to an already deep bench.

Praxisleiter:

Marie Chowdhry


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jessica White; Lana Akkad


Referenzen

‘Honestly, the combination of legal expertise with a genuinely collaborative approach makes the PM team stand out. We really appreciated the responsiveness from the person we’ve dealt with. They’re refreshingly easy to work with.‘

‘The most recent care relates to a query dealing with regulatory compliance. Marie Chowdhry and Lana Akkad have consistently displayed great professionalism and knowledge of the finance industry. The combination of strategic insight and the solutions-driven approach have set this team apart.’

‘The responsiveness, depth of knowledge, and genuine approachability of the whole team make it truly stand out.’

Kernmandanten

Sarwa Digital Wealth


Sunrate Advisors


Tazapay


Lean Technologies


Hazz


Bird and Bird


LGT/Volare


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  • Acting as the go-to legal and regulatory counsel for UAE-based digital wealth management platform Sarwa Digital Wealth and advising on all aspects of its operations and services across the Middle East.
  • Advising XTB MENA Limited on the regulatory structuring and legal compliance of a promotional offer in the DIFC, including provision of strategic guidance on inducement rules and client classification under the DFSA Rulebook.
  • Advising Lean Technologies on fintech regulatory strategy, and thought leadership initiatives across the UAE and KSA, including open finance compliance.

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP maintains a strong presence in the UAE’s financial services regulatory sector, advising clients on licensing applications, asset management mandates and compliance matters. Muneer Khan spearheads the practice and is noted for the assistance he provides to multinational investment entities, financial institutions and fintech companies. Adam Wolstenholme is geared to support on DFSA submissions and tokenisation mandates. Matthias Ng is building a notably strong track record in the digital assets space. Nina Fischer also comes recommended.

Praxisleiter:

Muneer Khan


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Adam Wolstenholme; Matthias Ng; Nina Fischer


Referenzen

‘Deep industry knowledge, very pragmatic and commercial and strong connections to the regulatory authorities in the regions.’

‘Adam Wolstenholme and Matthias Ng stand out as very knowledgeable and responsive.‘

‘Their key strength is their understanding of the DFSA regulatory framework, as well as their contacts within the regulator.’

Kernmandanten

Millennium Capital


Brevan Howard


Caxton Associates


Qube Research & Technology


Ardian


MFS International (U.K.) Ltd


Blantyre Capital Limited


Lighthouse Capital


HSBC Global Asset Management


PIMCO Europe Ltd


Point72 Middle East


Capricorn Fund Managers


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Afridi & Angell

Afridi & Angell is frequently called upon to advise market leading, international corporations, banks and regulatory associations on the full scope of the sector. The practice group is under the joint supervision of Rahat Dar and Charles Laubach, who possesses expertise in DIFC and VARA regulations. Abdus Samad regularly completes licensing applications on behalf of a diverse array of clients. Luca Rayes Palacin is a key name of note.


Praxisleiter:

Charles Laubach; Rahat Dar


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Abdus Samad; Luca Rayes Palacín


Kernmandanten

Vision Bank


Citibank


BNP Paribas


BNPP Wealth Management


JP Morgan Chase


International Capital Market Association (ICMA)


International Securities Lending Association (ISLA)


Habib Bank


Ajman Bank


National Bank of Fujairah


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  • Advising one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges on the rollout and implementation of its non-custodial Wallet offering in the UAE.
  • Advising one of the largest banks in Switzerland on its service offering to residents and nationals of the UAE on a cross-border basis without establishing a presence in the UAE.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper is recognised for its strong track record in the virtual assets sectors, advising regulators, financial institutions and multinational corporations. Adrianus Schoorl is praised by clients for his ‘strong legal accumen’ and is noted for his capabilities in fintech mandates. Andrew Mackenzie possesses expertise in multi-jurisdictional licensing matters while Paul Allen is very active in the ongoing development of the UAE’s financial services regulations. Along with Paul McViety, they form the practices leadership team.

Praxisleiter:

Adrianus Schoorl; Paul Allen; Paul McViety; Andrew Mackenzie


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Rami Zayat


Referenzen

‘The team at DLA Piper LLP combines deep technical expertise with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach. Their ability to balance legal precision with commercial awareness sets them apart from other firms. We, as their client have benefited from clear communication, well-structured advice, and a consistent focus on achieving practical outcomes.’

‘We have been engaging with Adrianus Schoorl at DLA Piper. He has consistently demonstrated professionalism, strong legal acumen, and a client-first mindset. Adrianus has always been approachable, proactive, and able to anticipate issues before they arise.‘

Kernmandanten

Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)


Binance Holdings Ltd (Binance)


Emirates NBD


Zbooni


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  • Advising the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority on the formation and continuous enhancement of its Virtual Assets regime and the Abu Dhabi Global Market on its Distributed Ledger Technologies platform (and other enhancements to its regulatory regime).
  • Advising leading banks in the UAE on their virtual assets regulatory agenda (adoption of virtual asset product suites suited for bank customers), including advising ENBD on permitting its customers to access virtual asset brokerage facilities through the LIV app.
  • Advising on the formation of the Ton Coin Foundation in the Abu Dhabi Global Market and advising Tether on its proposed joint venture for the launch of a Dirham backed stablecoin, and other leading international blockchain platform operators on market developments and penetration in the UAE.

Gibson Dunn

Gibson Dunn offers ‘pragmatic advice’ to emerging fintech companies, multinational corporations and financial institution, under the supervision of Sameera Kimatrai. The practice is geared to support on a wide array of financial services regulatory matters, ranging from licensing applications and online payment platform development to cryptocurrency mandates and multi-jurisdictional compliance advice. Kimatrai is noted for her capabilities in a plethora of digital assets matters. Aliya Padhani brings additional strength to the team.

Praxisleiter:

Sameera Kimatrai


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Aliya Padhani


Referenzen

‚Extremely responsive team that always give pragmatic advice.‘

 

Kernmandanten

HashKey


xCube LLC


BingX


Selini Capital


Triple A Technologies Pte. Ltd.


Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)


Plug & Play


RedotPay


Caladan


Liwathon


Weex Global


Vision Bank


X12 Limited


HashKey


xCube LLC


BingX


Selini Capital


Triple A Technologies Pte. Ltd.


Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)


Plug & Play


RedotPay


Caladan


Liwathon


Weex Global


Vision Bank


X12 Limited


Circle Internet LLC


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  • Advising the FSRA on a review of their use of current and potential AI technologies and tools to assess the potential legal risk and liabilities under, inter alia, ADGM law, English common law and UAE Federal law.
  • Advised Binance on financial services regulatory matters in the UAE.
  • Advised Hashkey Digital Asset Group Limited, a leading end-to-end digital asset financial services group in Asia in relation to regulatory issues in Singapore and Hong Kong, and other jurisdictions.

Hadef & Partners

International banks, financial services groups and public sector authorities consult Hadef & Partners on a wide range of financial services regulation mandates. Under the supervision of Catriona McDevitt, the team is adept at handling tokenisation advice, cryptocurrency matters and licensing applications. McDevitt offers expertise in the investment management and trade finance space and is particularly well-versed in ADGM regulations. Alan Rodgers is noted for his capabilities in regulatory perimeter assessments.

Praxisleiter:

Catriona McDevitt


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Alan Rodgers; Aziz Yasin


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KARM Legal Consultants

KARM Legal Consultants is equipped to advise financial services entities throughout the entire life cycle of their business in the UAE. Kokila Alagh is adept at handling a variety of DFSA mandates while Akshata Namjoshi repeatedly excels in licensing matters.  Arjun Uppal, a June 2025 arrival, is noted for his capabilities in regulatory assessments and data protection support. Alongside Carolina Rios and March 2025 arrival Ankit Thakur, they form the practice leadership team.

Praxisleiter:

Kokila Alagh; Akshata Namjoshi; Carolina Rios; Ankit Thakur; Arjun Uppal


Kernmandanten

Comera Pay LLC


Photon Dance Holdings Limited


Trustin Limited


DLocal group


Capital.com


Century Private Wealth Limited (DIFC)


PorterPays Limited


ACM Limited


IDA Finance Hong Kong Limited


Greenback Capital (Greenback)


Unique Ventures Limited (DIFC)


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  • Advised Comera Pay LLC from the initial stages of engagement through to securing a full Stored Value Facilities (SVF) and Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes (RPSCS) license from the Central Bank of the UAE.
  • Advising Photon Dance Holdings Limited on the establishment of its DIFC-based entity, PhotonPay DIFC, and its end-to-end licensing process with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for a Category 3D license.
  • Acted as legal counsel to Century in connection with the structuring and documentation of a private investment fund offering. The team advised on the preparation of the Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) for the offering of fund units, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements and investor disclosure standards.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP houses a financial services regulation practice group which is capable of assisting clients with multijurisdictional compliance matters, digital assets mandates and regulatory investigations. Tayler Sani is equipped to advise on the full gamut of the sector. Philip Clarke left the firm in 2026.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Tayler Sani


Kernmandanten

KFin Technologies Limited


Lexim Trading DMCC


ICICI Bank Limited, DIFC Branch


Profision Shipping Capital Management Limited


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  • Advising Lexim Trading DMCC, a non-manufactured precious metal trader in the DMCC, in relation to the set-up and development of their revolutionary gold backed digital asset platform, which includes minting crypto tokens that are collateralised against gold held by its sister company to be traded on a proprietary basis.
  • Advising KFin Technologies, a listed Indian fund services provider, on its US$34.7 million acquisition of a 51% stake in Ascent Fund Services, a Singapore-based full-suite global fund administrator.
  • Acting for ICICI Bank Limited, an Indian multinational bank and financial services company in its claim against Mr Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, the founder of NMC Healthcare Ltd, one of the largest private healthcare networks in the UAE in the DIFC Courts.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP is a go to firm for international technology corporations,  online payment providers and US headquartered financial institutions. The team is capable of offering financial services regulatory advice in the UAE and across the MENA and GCC jurisdictions. Arnold Krutilins stands out for his work in trade finance mandates but has experience offering regulatory compliance advice and licensing services. Gabrielle Margerison is a key name of note in the practice. Stefan Mrozinski left the team in May 2025.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Arnold Krutilins; Gabrielle Margerison


Referenzen

Responsive and professional.‘

‘Professional and pleasant to work with. They are precise and to the point.‘

‘Arnold Krutilins is always available, highly responsive, pragmatic and practical.’

Kernmandanten

Meta


Amazon Payment Services


Morgan Stanley


Credit Agricole


Global Fintech Investments Holding AG / Prism Group


Brookfield Asset Management


Rothschild


Bank of America


Moelis, Qatar


National Bank


Mitsui & Co


Starwood Capital,


Golub Capital


JTC, Tikehau


Capital, Wizz Financial


Safegold


xCube LLC


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