Middle East Regulatory Policy Brief

Covering Currency Symbol, Virtual Assets, Capital Market Authority, Occupational Health, Real Estate Regulation. Explore the latest regulatory developments in Currency Symbol usage, Virtual Assets frameworks by the Capital Market Authority, Occupational Health standards, and Real Estate regulations across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Show Notes

This episode covers significant regulatory developments across multiple sectors in the Middle East, including financial infrastructure, healthcare compliance, and property management. Listeners will gain insights into new frameworks shaping virtual asset activities, currency symbol mandates, and occupational health enhancements.

We explore the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority’s introduction of a comprehensive Virtual Assets Framework that expands regulated activities from three to eight, covering areas such as custody services and multilateral trading facilities. This framework imposes robust licensing, governance, and prudential requirements for financial entities.

Additionally, the UAE Central Bank’s new mandatory UAE Dirham currency symbol initiative, developed with Vermeg, aims to strengthen capital market infrastructure by standardizing currency representation in official documents.

On the occupational health front, the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing invites public feedback on updated construction safety guidelines and a draft executive regulation on vacant properties with annual fees and occupancy disclosure mandates.

For more information, visit the Carver Agents website.

Articles mentioned:
  1. جدول عقوبات حوادث التسمم الغذائي
  1. The CMA Issues the Virtual Assets Framework, Establishing an Integrated Regulatory Regime Comprising Five Core Modules and Eight Regulated Activities
  1. 13.04.2026 - هيئة سوق المال تصدر إطار تنظيم الأصول الافتراضية
  2. وزارة البلديات والإسكان تدعو العموم والمهتمين لإبداء المرئيات على تحديث دليل العمل بمواقع التشييد عبر منصة 

What is Middle East Regulatory Policy Brief?

Regulatory news, updates, and insights for countries in the Middle East presented by the Carver Agents team

Welcome to Carver's Middle East Regulatory Updates for April 19, 2026.

Starting in the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority, or CMA, has issued a comprehensive Virtual Assets Framework. This new regulatory regime includes five core modules: General Requirements, Conduct of Business, Alternative Trading System, Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing, and Prudential Requirements. The framework expands the number of regulated activities from three to eight, covering a broad range of virtual asset business models and services. These activities include dealing as principal and agent, custody services, investment advice, portfolio management, and operating multilateral trading facilities. Financial services companies and public joint stock companies in the UAE must comply with these new licensing, governance, risk management, and prudential requirements.

In healthcare regulation, the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi has increased its audit and inspection activities in 2025, issuing violations and closing healthcare facilities during this period. Updates to regulatory standards include enhancements to Medical Waste Management protocols. Healthcare facilities are required to complete the Training Programme on Abu Dhabi Healthcare Guidelines for Health Media and Advertising System as outlined in circular 26/2023. Additionally, healthcare and pharmaceutical facilities, along with health professionals, must update their mobile number and email details to receive circulars, according to circular 63/2021.

Also in the United Arab Emirates, the Central Bank has introduced a mandatory use of the UAE Dirham currency symbol. Developed in partnership with the technology company Vermeg, this initiative is designed to enhance the capital market infrastructure. The new currency symbol must be used in all relevant financial and official documents and communications.

Turning to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has invited public feedback on updates to the Construction Sites Work Guide through the "Istitaala" platform. The revisions include expanded technical and organizational requirements such as integrated safety and occupational health plans supervised by qualified specialists, expanded insurance coverage to protect workers and related parties, and stricter standards for inspection, operation, and documentation of equipment and cranes.

Additionally, the Saudi Ministry has released a draft executive regulation on vacant properties, also open for public consultation via the "Istitaala" platform. This draft imposes annual fees on vacant properties in specified urban areas. Property owners must pay fees if their properties remain vacant for a specified period within the reference year. Fees are proportionate to ownership shares when multiple owners exist. The regulation mandates disclosure of property occupancy status and verification procedures.

Finally, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority has introduced a detailed penalty table for food poisoning incidents affecting food establishments. Penalties include fines, suspension, or closure depending on the severity of violations. Food establishments are required to maintain hygiene and safety standards to prevent food poisoning incidents.

That wraps up today's regulatory updates. Visit carveragents.ai for more information.