The UAE’s Capital Market Authority reported a sharp rise in regulatory and market activity in 2025, signalling growing investor confidence and the continued strengthening of the country’s capital markets framework.
The federal regulator said licensing and approval activity climbed to 3,170 in 2025, up from 1,272 a year earlier. The increase of around 150 percent marks one of the strongest annual growth rates in the Authority’s history and reflects rising participation and engagement across the securities and commodities markets.
Market expansion was also evident in assets under management, which reached approximately US$470 billion across the UAE. The Authority noted strong growth in funds and portfolio management activities under its supervision, highlighting the market’s increasing scale and institutional maturity.
The investment funds landscape saw particularly rapid development. The number of locally domiciled investment funds rose by about 322 percent during the year. The total number of funds under the Authority’s oversight, including passported funds, increased from 119 in 2024 to 197 in 2025, representing growth of roughly 66 percent. Officials said this expansion has broadened the range of investment strategies available and strengthened market depth.
Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Market Authority, said the results demonstrate confidence in the regulatory environment and the effectiveness of ongoing reforms. He added that the Authority will continue enhancing supervision, governance, and investor protection to support sustainable growth.
The market gains followed key regulatory updates, with new federal decree laws governing the Authority and capital markets coming into effect in 2026, further reinforcing the foundations of the UAE’s financial markets.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
