According to CISI UAE Financial Rules and Regulations, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) grants licences to operate crypto fundraising platforms only to legal persons that are exchanges licensed by the Authority within the UAE. This ensures that the entity has the appropriate regulatory oversight, infrastructure, and governance aligned with UAE financial laws. Sophisticated traders or qualified investors, as well as companies incorporated under Shariah law, do not meet the legal entity criteria for such licencing. The requirement guarantees that fundraising platforms operate within a controlled and transparent environment, protecting investors and maintaining market integrity.

Under the UAE Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws and regulations, financial institutions are required to periodically test the effectiveness of their internal policies, controls, and procedures designed to combat money laundering. The independent audit function is specifically responsible for testing and evaluating these AML frameworks. The independent auditor must assess whether the institution's systems and procedures effectively detect, prevent, and report suspicious transactions and activities. This audit ensures that the policies are up-to-date, comprehensive, and compliant with both local and international standards. Regular audits provide an additional layer of scrutiny, ensuring that financial institutions can demonstrate their commitment to preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

According to the CISI UAE Financial Rules and Regulations under Client Protection provisions, when a client buys and sells securities within the same trading session (day trading), the client must maintain sufficient credit to cover the value of purchase in their cash account at the time of the transaction. This rule ensures that clients have the necessary funds to settle their purchase obligations promptly, reducing settlement risk and maintaining market stability. Credit to cover sales is not required since sales generate funds rather than consume them. This provision supports orderly trading and financial discipline among market participants by preventing unsettled trades and possible defaults.

Per CISI UAE Financial Rules and Regulations governing investment funds, a semi-annual report on the public fund’s performance must be prepared no later than 2 months from the end of the semi-annual period. This reporting timeline ensures timely disclosure to investors and regulators, providing transparency about fund performance, investment activities, and compliance with regulatory standards. The semi-annual report serves as a key accountability mechanism, enabling investors to make informed decisions and maintain confidence in the fund management. The requirement for a two-month deadline aligns with global best practices in fund reporting.

Under Federal Law No. 20 of 2018 and CISI UAE Financial Rules and Regulations, financial institutions that violate anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) laws may be subjected to administrative penalties ranging from no less than AED 50,000 and no more than AED 5,000,000 for each violation. These substantial fines underscore the UAE’s commitment to stringent AML/CTF enforcement and deterrence. Administrative penalties are imposed alongside other measures such as corrective actions and possible criminal sanctions, ensuring comprehensive regulatory oversight.

Under CISI UAE Financial Rules and Regulations, firms offering ranking and advisory services in the financial sector must meet a minimum paid-up capital requirement of AED 5 million. This capital threshold ensures that such firms have sufficient financial resources to maintain operational stability, manage risks, and fulfill regulatory obligations. It also reflects the level of responsibility these firms carry in providing investment advice and rankings that impact market participants. Higher capital requirements apply to more systemically significant entities, but the AED 5 million benchmark balances accessibility and prudence for ranking and advice firms.

If a discrepancy is identified during an external reconciliation process, the firm is required to investigate and correct it as soon as possible. The CISI UAE Financial Rules and Regulations emphasize that discrepancies, whether in financial data or operational procedures, must be thoroughly examined to determine the root cause and rectified promptly. Immediate corrective action helps to ensure that financial statements and other reports remain accurate and reliable, preventing any further errors or compliance issues. While it may be necessary to inform the regulator or suspend operations in extreme cases, the first priority is to address the discrepancy through investigation and correction.