Regulator · Defined Term
DFSA — Dubai Financial Services Authority.
The independent regulator of financial services and ancillary services conducted in or from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Established 2004. Member of IOSCO and the Basel Committee.
What DFSA regulates
- Banking, deposit-taking, payment services.
- Insurance and reinsurance.
- Investment advice, asset management, fund management.
- Custody, prime brokerage, execution.
- Issuance of securities in or from the DIFC.
- Crypto-asset and virtual asset providers.
Categories of licence
- Cat 1: Banking (USD 10m capital)
- Cat 2: Dealing as Principal (USD 2m+)
- Cat 3: Dealing as Agent / Managing Investments (USD 70k–500k)
- Cat 4: Advising / Arranging (USD 10k)