If you’re a content creator talking about money, investments, or finance in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, there’s a new rule you need to know: you now need a license. Whether you’re writing blog posts, creating YouTube videos, sharing TikToks, or offering financial tips on Instagram, this law affects you.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
What's the New Law About?
The UAE’s financial regulators, including the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), have introduced a requirement for individuals and companies who share finance-related content to obtain a license. This applies to any digital creator who:
Offers investment advice or opinions
Shares financial tips, reviews, or analyses
Comments on cryptocurrencies or trading
Promotes financial products or services
Even if you’re not a professional advisor, even if you post casually about your investments, if your content targets audiences in the UAE, this rule may apply to you.
Who Needs to Register?
You need to register for the license if:
You publish finance or investment content on blogs, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or podcasts
You target UAE residents or create content in Arabic or with UAE financial references
You promote or endorse investment platforms, apps, or assets
Yes, even if you’re just sharing market insights or posting crypto memes with commentary, this counts.
Why Is Dubai Doing This?
This new regulation is meant to:
Protect retail investors from misleading or unlicensed advice
Improve the credibility of online financial content
Establish clear legal responsibility for influencers and platforms
It’s all about preventing scams, pump-and-dump schemes, and poorly researched advice from going viral.
What Happens If You Don't Get the License?
The penalties for non-compliance can include:
Fines (up to AED 1 million in some cases)
Account bans or takedowns
Content removals
Possible legal liability if someone takes financial damage due to your content
Simply put: you don’t want to take chances here.
What Does the License Cost?
Good news: the SCA has waived all license and renewal fees for the first three years, to encourage early adoption. So there’s no reason not to register if you fall under the category.
What Should You Do Now?
If you’re creating or planning to create financial content in Dubai or for a UAE audience, here’s what you should do:
Evaluate your content – Is it financial in nature? Are you giving tips, opinions, or endorsements?
Apply for the license through the SCA’s portal or consult a local legal advisor
Avoid unlicensed promotions, especially for crypto or investment platforms
Can You Still Monetize Financial Content?
Absolutely — in fact, with a license, you can do it legally and securely, and work with platforms and advertisers who require proof of compliance.
If you’re looking to build a legitimate finance-focused brand, this law actually helps by filtering out shady operators.
Final Thoughts
While the idea of regulation may feel limiting, it’s actually a step toward more trustworthy, transparent, and professional content in the finance space. If you’re serious about your role as a creator or advisor, this is your opportunity to stand out.
Get licensed, stay smart, and keep building.
