The Current Legal Foundation of UAE AML Law The UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing framework underwent its most significant overhaul since 2018 when two new instruments took effect in late 2025. Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, effective 14 October 2025, repealed Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 in its entirety and established the … Read more
The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) imposed a fine against a licensed Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) for non-compliance with anti-money laundering rules, weak governance, and conducting activities outside the scope of its approved license. It’s a clear reminder that holding a valid VARA license doesn’t put a business on autopilot, ongoing compliance is … Read more
Why Understanding Money Laundering Stages Matters for UAE Compliance Money laundering is the process of making criminally obtained funds appear legitimate by moving them through a series of transactions designed to obscure their origin. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the UAE’s own AML/CFT framework describe money laundering as occurring in three distinct stages: … Read more
What Is an Accounting Experience Report in UAE Company Setup? An accounting experience report is a professional document, usually prepared by an accountant or an accounting firm, that analyzes an individual’s or a company’s accounting practices, financial systems, and business performance. It typically covers the accounting methods and controls in place, a summary of historical … Read more
What Are Non-Traditional Trademarks in the UAE? UAE businesses can now protect more than logos and brand names. Trademark protection has been extended to cover non-traditional marks, including sounds, scents, and holograms. This means a company can register a signature jingle, a distinctive scent used in its stores or products, or a three-dimensional visual effect … Read more
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) issued a Dh2 million fine against Malik Exchange for anti-money laundering violations, revoked its license, and removed it from the official Register. It’s one of the clearest recent examples of how seriously the UAE enforces AML and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) compliance across exchange houses, banks, and insurance companies, … Read more
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