The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has launched a new licensing framework for financial influencers, formalising oversight of investment-related content on digital and traditional media platforms in the UAE.
The “finfluencer” licence is the first of its kind in the region and applies to individuals who offer financial or investment recommendations related to regulated products or services. Applicants must register with the SCA and comply with regulatory obligations.
The move aims to improve investor protection and ensure accountability in online financial commentary. The SCA has waived registration, renewal, and legal consultation fees for the first three years.
Finfluencers are defined as individuals providing financial advice, recommendations, or analysis via social media, blogs, seminars, or other media formats. Activities covered include opinions on the value, price, or performance of financial products and services.
According to the SCA, this is part of a broader strategy to align regulation with developments in digital finance.
Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, CEO of the SCA, stated that the license supports market integrity and helps the UAE maintain transparency and regulatory discipline in its financial markets.
The licence follows similar developments in markets like the UK and Australia, where regulators have increased scrutiny of online financial advice. In 2023, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority warned unlicensed influencers of penalties for breaching promotion rules.
