
Central Bank of the UAE
(CBUAE)Regulatory Snapshot
The Central Bank of the UAE is the country's central bank and primary monetary authority, responsible for formulating and implementing monetary, banking, and credit policy. Established in 1980, the CBUAE supervises banks, exchange houses, finance companies, and payment service providers across the UAE mainland.
About the CBUAE
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is the federal financial institution responsible for overseeing the monetary, credit, and banking policy of the United Arab Emirates. The CBUAE licences and supervises banks, exchange houses, finance companies, and payment service providers operating in the UAE mainland (excluding DIFC and ADGM free zones which have their own regulators).
- Licensing and supervision of banks and financial institutions
- Consumer protection regulations
- Anti-money laundering and compliance framework
- Capital adequacy and prudential supervision
Restricted Countries
CBUAE covers UAE mainland financial institutions. DIFC and ADGM are excluded (regulated separately).
Related Regulators

MAS
AAATier 1Monetary Authority of Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore serves as Singapore's central bank and integrated financial regulator. Established in 1971, MAS administers the various statutes pertaining to money, banking, insurance, securities, and the financial sector in general. Its dual role as central bank and financial regulator makes it uniquely positioned to maintain financial stability in one of Asia's leading financial centres.

JFSA
AATier 1Japan Financial Services Agency
The Japan Financial Services Agency is the government body responsible for overseeing banking, securities, exchange, and insurance sectors in Japan. Established in 2000, the JFSA ensures the stability and integrity of Japan's financial system — one of the largest and most active forex markets in the world, with Japan being the single largest retail forex trading market globally.

SFC
AATier 1Securities and Futures Commission
The Securities and Futures Commission is Hong Kong's statutory body responsible for regulating the securities and futures markets. Established in 1989, the SFC administers the laws governing the securities and futures markets in Hong Kong and facilitates the development of these markets.

DFSA
AATier 2Dubai Financial Services Authority
The Dubai Financial Services Authority is the independent regulator of financial services conducted within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Established in 2004, the DFSA regulates all financial and ancillary services provided from the DIFC, operating a robust risk-based supervisory framework informed by international best practices.

SC
ATier 2Securities Commission Malaysia
The Securities Commission Malaysia is a statutory body established under the Securities Commission Act 1993 to regulate and develop the Malaysian capital market. The SC oversees all matters relating to securities and futures contracts, the regulation of companies and licensees, and the development of the capital market.

SCA
ATier 2Securities and Commodities Authority
The Securities and Commodities Authority is the federal regulatory body overseeing securities and commodities markets in the United Arab Emirates, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre (which is regulated by the DFSA). Established in 2000, the SCA regulates financial activities, commodities exchanges, and clearing houses.

