The UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has made its position crystal clear: if you are promoting financial services, giving trade ideas, or offering investment advice on social media – you must be licensed.
This clampdown on unregulated online financial promotions is part of a wider regulatory effort to protect retail investors from misleading or unauthorised content, particularly in the fast-moving world of CFDs, crypto, and equity trading.
What Does the SCA Require?
Whether you are a finfluencer, content creator, or a brand with a UAE audience, you need to be aware that:
- Promoting trading platforms or financial products online is a regulated activity
- Giving advice or sharing trade recommendations is considered investment advice
- Operating without an SCA permit may result in penalties or enforcement action
Since January 2024, the UAE has required any individual or firm promoting financial services online to hold the relevant licence.
This development mirrors growing concern globally, with the UK’s FCA also raising alarms about finfluencer-led promotions and urging stronger action from online platforms.
What Are Regulators Saying?
In a recent statement, an SCA spokesperson said:
“Individuals and institutions must not engage in financial promotions or provide investment advice through social media unless they are properly licensed. We are committed to protecting consumers and preserving trust in our financial markets.”
International regulators share the same concerns. The FCA issued over 2,200 warnings about illegal promotions in the past year alone, while Germany’s BaFin has expressed alarm over the number of young investors being drawn into risky financial schemes via influencer content.
Research shows that audiences influenced by social media creators often take a more speculative approach to investing, with a strong tilt towards crypto and high-risk assets. Yet many followers are unaware that influencers are often paid to promote certain products or platforms, which can introduce bias into their recommendations.
How Complyport UAE Can Support You
If you are looking to stay on the right side of regulation, Complyport UAE is here to help.
We offer full support to individuals, fintech, and financial service firms seeking to become licensed or stay compliant with SCA rules:
- SCA Licence Applications
From advising on the correct permissions to preparing your full submission, our local experts guide you through the process.
- Ongoing Compliance Support
We will help you build the right compliance framework to meet your obligations, from policies and procedures to training and oversight.
- Content & Marketing Review
We review your promotional material, posts, and video scripts to ensure they meet SCA standards before they go live.
- Third-Party Risk Assessments
If you are a firm working with influencers, we help ensure your partnerships are properly structured and compliant.
Don’t Leave Your Reputation or Your Licence to Chance
As regulators globally turn their focus to digital promotions, the message is clear: financial content shared online must meet the same standards as any other regulated activity.
Whether you are an influencer looking to formalise your business, or a firm needing guidance on UAE compliance, Complyport UAE is your trusted partner.
Speak to our UAE team today about obtaining an SCA licence and ensuring your promotional activity is fully compliant.
