{"id":136005,"date":"2026-01-29T16:52:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T21:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/professional\/insights\/regulation\/gulf-regulatory-outlook-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T11:36:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T16:36:07","slug":"gulf-regulatory-outlook-2026","status":"publish","type":[3762],"link":"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/professional\/insights\/regulation\/gulf-regulatory-outlook-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Gulf Regulatory Outlook 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class=\"bbg-row-container\">\n    <section class=\"bbg-row  text--black row-padding--top-compact row-padding--bottom-none bbg-row--full-bg-bleed\" data-anchor='row-6a094d3177fb0'>\n        \n        \n        <div\n            class=\"bbg-row--content\"\n                    >\n            \n            <p><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-7\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <p><div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer bbg-spacer--lg\"\n    >\n<\/div><div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p class=\"small\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px; color: #0062dd;\">ARTICLE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer bbg-spacer--sm\"\n    >\n<\/div>    <h1 class=\"bbg-metadata bbg-metadata--title\">Gulf Regulatory Outlook 2026<\/h1>\n<div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer\"\n        style=\"height: 50px !important\"\n    >\n<\/div>    <ul class=\"bbg-categories_list\">\n                    <li>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/professional\/insights\/category\/markets\/\" rel=\"category tag\">\n                    Markets\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/professional\/insights\/category\/regional-analysis\/\" rel=\"category tag\">\n                    Regional Analysis\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                    <li>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/professional\/insights\/category\/regulation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">\n                    Regulation\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n<\/p>\n\n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-5\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <div id=\"\" class=\"wpb_content_element bbg-single-image align-left\">\n    <figure class=\"bbg-single-image__figure\" style=\"max-width:100%\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4000\" height=\"2666\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/image\/v1\/resize?width=auto&amp;type=webp&amp;url=https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/professional\/sites\/41\/312685950.jpg\" class=\"bbg-single-image__image attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/image\/v1\/resize?width=auto&amp;type=webp&amp;url=https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/professional\/sites\/41\/312685950.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/image\/v1\/resize?width=auto&amp;type=webp&amp;url=https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/professional\/sites\/41\/312685950.jpg 552w, https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/image\/v1\/resize?width=auto&amp;type=webp&amp;url=https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/professional\/sites\/41\/312685950.jpg 800w, https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/image\/v1\/resize?width=auto&amp;type=webp&amp;url=https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/professional\/sites\/41\/312685950.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/image\/v1\/resize?width=auto&amp;type=webp&amp;url=https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/professional\/sites\/41\/312685950.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/image\/v1\/resize?width=auto&amp;type=webp&amp;url=https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/professional\/sites\/41\/312685950.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4000px) 100vw, 4000px\" \/>\n        \n            <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"bbg-row-container\">\n    <section class=\"bbg-row  text--black row-padding--top-none row-padding--bottom-none bbg-row--full-bg-bleed\" data-anchor='row-6a094d318434b'>\n        \n        \n        <div\n            class=\"bbg-row--content\"\n                    >\n            \n            <p><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-2\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    \n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-6 bbg-column--m-width-6\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <p>    <p class=\"bbg-metadata bbg-metadata--date\">January 29, 2026<\/p>\n<div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p><strong>Bloomberg Professional Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-2 bbg-column--valign-middle bbg-column--m-width-2 bbg-column--s-padding-right-2\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <div class=\"bb-tts\"\n\tdata-selector=\"main\"\n\tdata-label=\"Speak this page\"\n\tdata-custom-play=\"Play\"\n\tdata-custom-pause=\"Pause\"\n\tdata-custom-stop=\"Stop\"\n\tdata-overlay=\"false\"\n\tdata-invert=\"false\"\n\tdata-no-time=\"false\"\n\tdata-no-button-text=\"false\"\n\tdata-one-button=\"true\"\n\tdata-one-style=\"true\"\n\tdata-hide-stop=\"true\"\n\tdata-voice=\"Gordon\"\n\tdata-pitch=\"1\"\n\tdata-speed=\"1\"\n\tdata-align=\"flex-start\"\n>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-2\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"bbg-row-container\">\n    <section class=\"bbg-row  text--black row-padding--top-compact row-padding--bottom-compact bbg-row--full-bg-bleed\" data-anchor='row-6a094d318718b'>\n        \n        \n        <div\n            class=\"bbg-row--content\"\n                    >\n            \n            <p><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-2\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    \n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-8\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regulatory momentum across the Gulf is moving from rapid framework-building to consolidation and execution, as reforms introduced in recent years are embedded into supervisory practice, enforcement activity and market infrastructure. Regulators are increasingly using rulemaking and supervisory focus to shape market behavior, support institutional investment, and strengthen the resilience of cross-border financial activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This shift is evident in the evolution of digital-asset regulation towards fully institutionalized market infrastructure, the growing emphasis on data governance, cyber resilience and open-banking frameworks, and a parallel push to align market standards in support of deeper liquidity, stronger investor confidence and more resilient financial markets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"bbg-row-container\">\n    <section class=\"bbg-row  text--black row-padding--top-none row-padding--bottom-none bbg-row--full-bg-bleed\" data-anchor='row-6a094d3188f1e'>\n        \n        \n        <div\n            class=\"bbg-row--content\"\n                    >\n            \n            <p><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-3\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <p><div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer bbg-spacer--sm\"\n    >\n<\/div><hr class=\"bbg-separator bbg-separator-1\" style=\"height:1px;\" \/>\n<div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer\"\n        style=\"height: 32px !important\"\n    >\n<\/div><div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p class=\"small\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;\">PRODUCT MENTIONS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div\n  id=\"cta_3244498887024374260\"\n  class=\"wpb_content_element bbg-cta no-icon\">\n  <style>\n    \n    \n    \n  <\/style>\n  <div\n    class=\"bbg-cta-link link-holder\"\n    data-links-type=\"cta-links\">\n    <p class=\"bbg-cta-p left\">\n      <a\n        class=\"bbg-cta-link link\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/professional.bloomberg.com\/products\/compliance\/\"\n        target=\"\"\n        rel=\"\"\n        data-section-name=\"Bloomberg Compliance Solutions\"\n        >\n                      Bloomberg Compliance Solutions\n                <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer bbg-spacer--sm\"\n    >\n<\/div>\n<div\n  id=\"cta_4025539983287036917\"\n  class=\"wpb_content_element bbg-cta no-icon\">\n  <style>\n    \n    \n    \n  <\/style>\n  <div\n    class=\"bbg-cta-link link-holder\"\n    data-links-type=\"cta-links\">\n    <p class=\"bbg-cta-p left\">\n      <a\n        class=\"bbg-cta-link link\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/professional\/products\/bloomberg-terminal\/\"\n        target=\"\"\n        rel=\"\"\n        data-section-name=\"Bloomberg Terminal\"\n        >\n                      Bloomberg Terminal\n                <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer\"\n        style=\"height: 32px !important\"\n    >\n<\/div><hr class=\"bbg-separator bbg-separator-1\" style=\"height:1px;\" \/>\n<\/p>\n\n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-1\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    \n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-6\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Against that backdrop, the key regulatory\u00a0initiatives\u00a0and signals cluster around four themes:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Trading and markets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Risk, capital, and financial stability<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Digital finance and technology<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u00b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sustainable finance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-2\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"bbg-row-container\">\n    <section class=\"bbg-row  text--black row-padding--top-none row-padding--bottom-none bbg-row--margin-top-compact bbg-row--margin-bottom-compact bbg-row--full-bg-bleed\" data-anchor='row-6a094d318d2f0'>\n        \n        \n        <div\n            class=\"bbg-row--content\"\n                    >\n            \n            <div\n    class=\"bbg-column\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <div class=\"bbg-interstitial\" aria-label=\"interstitial\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t<style>\n\t\t.bbg-interstitial #card_1.bbg-card_hasCta{\n\t\t\tbackground: url(https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/image\/v1\/resize?width=auto&amp;type=webp&amp;url=https:\/\/assets.bbhub.io\/professional\/sites\/41\/Interstitial_bg.png);\n\t\t\t\tbackground-repeat: no-repeat;\n\t\t\t\tbackground-position: center center;\n\t\t\t\tbackground-size: cover;\n\t\t\tpadding: 104px;\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t}\n\t\t.bbg-interstitial #card_1.bbg-card_hasCta .bbg-card__content, .bbg-interstitial #card_1.bbg-card_hasCta .bbg-card__content p{\n\t\t\tcolor:white;\n\t\t}\n\t\t@media (max-width: 768px) {\n\t\t\t.bbg-interstitial #card_1.bbg-card_hasCta{\n\t\t\t\tpadding: 80px 32px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t\t@media (max-width: 480px) {\n\t\t\t.bbg-interstitial #card_1.bbg-card_hasCta{\n\t\t\t\tpadding: 80px 18px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_content_element bbg-card  bbg-card-dark bbg-card_hasCta has_interstitial\" id=\"card_1\" data-card_type=\"no_image\">\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"bbg-card__innerwrapper\">\n    <div class=\"bbg-card__content\">\n      \n      \n                      <h3 class=\"bbg-card__title\">Explore the latest regulatory insights with our outlooks, webinars, research and analysis.<\/h3>\n      \n              <div class=\"bbg-card__wysiwyg bb-wysiwyg\"><p>Sign up<\/p>\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n\n          \n<div\n  id=\"cta_5400155106669299558\"\n  class=\"wpb_content_element bbg-cta icon icon-arrow\">\n  <style>\n    \n    \n    \n  <\/style>\n  <div\n    class=\"bbg-cta-link link-holder\"\n    data-links-type=\"cta-links\">\n    <p class=\"bbg-cta-p right\">\n      <a\n        class=\"bbg-cta-link link interstitial_cta\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/professional\/insights\/regulation\/regulatory-insights\/\"\n        target=\"\"\n        rel=\"\"\n        data-section-name=\"\"\n                role=\"button\"\n        aria-label=\"Learn more\"\n        >\n                <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n      <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"bbg-row-container\">\n    <section class=\"bbg-row  text--black row-padding--top-none row-padding--bottom-none bbg-row--full-bg-bleed\" data-anchor='row-6a094d319218e'>\n        \n        \n        <div\n            class=\"bbg-row--content\"\n                    >\n            \n            <div\n    class=\"bbg-column\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"bbg-row-container\">\n    <section class=\"bbg-row  text--black row-padding--top-none row-padding--bottom-none bbg-row--full-bg-bleed\" data-anchor='row-6a094d31938ab'>\n        \n        \n        <div\n            class=\"bbg-row--content\"\n                    >\n            \n            <p><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-2\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    \n<\/div><div\n    class=\"bbg-column bbg-column--width-8\"\n    style=\"\"\n    >\n    <div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<h2><span class=\"TextRun SCXW45165300 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45165300 BCX0\">Markets and trading<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW45165300 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n<div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gulf capital markets have been evolving to reduce execution and access frictions &#8211; simplifying rules, improving market infrastructure, and widening participation for both issuers and investors.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0At the same time, the United\u00a0Arab\u00a0Emirates (UAE)\u00a0and Saudi Arabia are increasingly positioning themselves\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">not just as exporters of capital via sovereign and outbound investment, but as\u00a0capital importers, using policy and regulatory reforms to attract foreign direct investment and portfolio inflows and to anchor more financial activity onshore.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This shift in mindset is reflected in regulatory frameworks designed by policymakers to reduce ownership restrictions, streamline market access, and attract foreign capital into domestic markets.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Listing regime reform\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In Saudi Arabia, reforms to foreign ownership and investor access have been pursued against a backdrop of comparatively lagging exchange performance, with regulators\u00a0seeking\u00a0to address liquidity, valuation depth, and international participation.\u00a0The Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) published guidelines for the offering and listing of foreign companies, clarifying the criteria for cross-border, dual and incorporation-based listings. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Saudi Capital Markets Authority (CMA) also published a consultation on broadening the investor base by removing the Qualified Investor Regime (QFI) in the Main Market, therefore allowing foreign investors to access the markets without special qualifications. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These reforms aim to broaden the capital pool and boost\u00a0overall\u00a0capital market participation.<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0In 2026, attention is likely to shift from access reform to ownership reform,\u00a0specifically whether Saudi Arabia moves to loosen the 49% aggregate foreign ownership cap that still applies to most listed companies.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>International investor reform<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the UAE, capital markets are already accessible by foreigners and ownership frameworks are\u00a0highly streamlined\u00a0within freezones, namely the\u00a0Abu Dhabi Global Market\u2019s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (ADGM FSRA)\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Nevertheless, government and regulators are still focused on inward investment. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recently, the ADGM\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reaffirmed and enhanced alignment\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">with International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles on securities regulations, reinforcing investor confidence and\u00a0demonstrating\u00a0commitment to international best practices,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">as part of broader reforms to strengthen transparency, governance, and market integrity.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Looking ahead to 2026, regulatory and market initiatives across the Gulf are focused on improving liquidity and market access by reducing structural barriers to intra-regional trading. Efforts to enhance financial market integration within the GCC are aimed at supporting more\u00a0interconnected markets and\u00a0facilitating\u00a0cross-border investment,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">though progress\u00a0remains\u00a0incremental and uneven across markets<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer\"\n        style=\"height: 24px !important\"\n    >\n<\/div><div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<h2><span class=\"TextRun SCXW95907102 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW95907102 BCX0\">Risk, capital, and financial stability\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n<div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p><strong>Basel III and prudential resilience\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gulf regulators continue to advance a more resilient and outcomes-focused\u00a0prudential agenda, aligned with global regulatory priorities. A central theme\u00a0remains\u00a0continued alignment with Basel III, with supervisors\u00a0maintaining\u00a0close attention on capital adequacy, buffer\u00a0calibration,\u00a0and the quality of risk management frameworks across banking and insurance sectors. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prudential policy across the region is tightening around firm resilience, with increasing emphasis on capital strength, governance credibility, and robust financial crime controls, that can be expected to continue into 2026.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Governance and transparency\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Regulators are sharpening expectations around governance and transparency in ownership structures. In Saudi Arabia, updated corporate rules now require the identification and reporting of ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) for shareholders owning 25% or more of shares or voting rights. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This enhances regulators\u2019 ability to assess control, reduce the risk of hidden influence or financial crime, and strengthen accountability. In 2026, beneficial ownership information is likely to be used more actively in supervisory reviews, licensing\u00a0decisions,\u00a0and enforcement activity, rather than serving solely as a disclosure requirement.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Financial\u00a0crime\u00a0and\u00a0enforcement\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Across the region, supervisors are increasing enforcement activity,\u00a0signalling\u00a0that expectations are shifting from framework design to outcomes and accountability. Firms are increasingly expected to\u00a0evidence\u00a0how controls\u00a0operate\u00a0in practice to supervisors.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the UAE, the introduction of the Unified Financial Sector Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025) signals a further step toward integrated financial oversight of the sector. In parallel, the new Anti-Money\u00a0Laundering,\u00a0Counter-Terrorist\u00a0Financing\u00a0and\u00a0Counter-Proliferation Financing\u00a0Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025) reflects the continued hardening of the region\u2019s financial crime perimeter.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over the year ahead, firms should expect closer supervisory engagement, continued tightening of AML\u00a0and\u00a0counter-terrorist financing\u00a0requirements, and a greater emphasis on macro-prudential oversight and more sophisticated stress-testing. Preparation for 2026 will increasingly\u00a0centre\u00a0on evidencing operational effectiveness and supervisory readiness, rather than further rule interpretation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer\"\n        style=\"height: 24px !important\"\n    >\n<\/div><div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<h2><span class=\"TextRun SCXW12776586 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW12776586 BCX0\">Digital finance<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW12776586 BCX0\">\u00a0and technology<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW12776586 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n<div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With technology reshaping business models and financial services, the Gulf is taking an open yet controlled approach to foster innovation. Gulf regulators and governments have been ambitious adopters of\u00a0emerging\u00a0technologies, developing frameworks that accommodate digital assets, AI, and stablecoins, while promoting innovation through initiatives such as sandboxes.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UAE remains at the forefront of AI development and digital finance. In December 2025, the ADGM granted Binance a broad set of licenses covering regulated activities within ADGM. This marks a major step in formalizing digital asset markets in the UAE.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI adoption in the DIFC has surged. According to DFSA <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfsa.ae\/news\/new-dfsa-ai-survey-generative-ai-adoption-has-nearly-tripled-within-difc-last-12-months-governance-continues-develop\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, AI use nearly tripled over the previous year, and the majority of firms are planning greater AI adoption over the next 12 months. However, governance practices are still maturing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) report on the integration in the DIFC highlighted that regulatory uncertainty remains the main concern for firms, and firms are calling for clearer regulatory guidance on AI oversight, ethical use and accountability \u2013 highlighting a key area for regulatory focus in the year ahead.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forthcoming guidance and clarity from regulators will be helpful in supporting safe and responsible AI adoption for firms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cyber resilience\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kuwait has recently enacted a landmark reform of its cyber resilience framework, with the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) publishing its new Cyber and Operational Resilience Framework (CORF), replacing the 2020 Cybersecurity Framework. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The CORF unifies the regime for all CBK regulated\u00a0entities, introducing cyber and operational resilience baselines and a new Cyber and Operational Resilience Working Group (CORWG) with mandatory participation for all CBK regulated entities. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kuwait\u2019s\u00a0CORF marks a regional pivot from basic cybersecurity to holistic operational resilience, with mandatory collaboration and sector-wide baselines across the financial sector.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Similar operational resilience themes are expected to gain prominence across the region in 2026, with regulators increasingly assessing sector-wide dependencies, third-party\u00a0risk\u00a0and incident response capabilities, rather than standalone cybersecurity controls.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<div\n    class=\"bbg-spacer\"\n        style=\"height: 24px !important\"\n    >\n<\/div><div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<h2><span class=\"TextRun SCXW132143463 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW132143463 BCX0\">Sustainable\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW132143463 BCX0\">finance<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW132143463 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n<div\n\tclass=\"bb-wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sustainability regulation across the Gulf is becoming more\u00a0formalised\u00a0and operational, moving beyond policy ambition to tangible requirements including listing standards, disclosure rules, and prudential supervision.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>ESG disclosures\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Regulators across the GCC are placing greater emphasis on the consistency and credibility of ESG information provided to investors. While adoption\u00a0remains\u00a0uneven across the region, several\u00a0jurisdictions, including the UAE,\u00a0Qatar\u00a0and Oman, have moved more quickly to\u00a0formalise\u00a0ESG disclosure frameworks.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In Qatar, the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) issued the GENE (Governance, Environment,\u00a0Nature\u00a0and Economy) Corporate Sustainability Reporting Rules 2025, strengthening sustainability reporting requirements for in-scope entities. Firms\u00a0operating\u00a0within the Qatar Financial Centre are expected to provide more consistent and comparable ESG information to support investor decision-making. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Oman has also transitioned to mandatory ESG disclosure, with requirements issued jointly by the Financial Services Authority and the Muscat Stock Exchange in June 2025, marking a shift from voluntary guidance to enforceable obligations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ESG disclosures are becoming mandatory across several Gulf jurisdictions<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, with Saudi Arabia\u00a0remaining\u00a0an exception where reporting is\u00a0largely voluntary. Expectations around ESG disclosure and governance are also being reinforced through listing standards, including the introduction of unified investor relations guidelines in 2025, which place greater emphasis on ESG communication by listed companies. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These developments reflect a broader regional effort to improve the decision-usefulness of sustainability information and align disclosures with international standards.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Climate risk\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Across the Gulf, climate considerations are increasingly being integrated into mainstream supervision. In line with global regulatory trends, authorities are placing greater emphasis on climate risk governance, the quality and reliability of ESG data, and the role of transition finance. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For firms and investors, this signals a shift towards closer supervisory scrutiny of how climate and ESG considerations are embedded into governance, risk\u00a0management\u00a0and operational practices.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the UAE, green finance regulation extends beyond disclosure into risk management and\u00a0economy-wide obligations. The UAE Central Bank\u2019s Climate-related Financial Risk Management Regulation places climate risk squarely within supervisory expectations for financial institutions. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In parallel, the UAE Climate Law, issued in August 2024 and effective from May 2025, requires all UAE entities, including those\u00a0operating\u00a0in free zones, to measure, report and\u00a0progressively\u00a0reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with full compliance required by 30 May 2026.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"bbg-row-container\">\n    <style>section[data-anchor=row-6a094d3197af8]::before {\n\t\t\t\tbackground-color: #f4f4f9;\n\t\t\t}<\/style>\n    <section class=\"bbg-row bg--custom-color  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Explore how regulators across the region are shifting from rapid rulemaking to execution and enforcement, shaping market behaviour across trading, financial stability, digital finance and sustainable finance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2062,"featured_media":136169,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-article.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"486","footnotes":""},"categories":[453,534,486],"tags":[3795,3737,3799,3836,3841,3820,3723],"series":[],"class_list":["post-136005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-markets","category-regional-analysis","category-regulation","tag-market-risk","tag-operational-risk","tag-policy-updates","tag-reg-and-compliance","tag-regandcomp_2026","tag-regulation","tag-regulatory-risk","type-article"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.11 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Gulf Regulatory Outlook 2026 | Insights | Bloomberg Professional Services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What will define Gulf regulation in 2026? 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