- Strengthening Financial Resilience and Market
IOSCO publishes 2026 workplan
Global Horizon Scanner: International collaboration
In the next instalment of our global horizon series (first instalment available here), our team observes a growing trend of increased international collaboration between regulators in different jurisdictions despite wider geopolitical tensions.
Europe
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the independent public prosecution office of the European Union has become increasingly active. It is
Saudi CMA approves new controls on real estate ownership
The Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) has approved the Controls on the Ownership of Real Estate by Listed Companies, Investment Funds, and Special Purpose Entities (SPEs). These Controls will take effect concurrently with the new Law of Real Estate Ownership by Non‑Saudis (Royal Decree No. M/14) in January 2026.
These
VARA issues Circular – Enhanced Measures for High-Risk Jurisdictions
The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has released a Circular addressed to all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) outlining Enhanced Measures for High‑Risk Jurisdictions. This update follows the October 2025 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list revision and the UAE National Committee’s Decision No. (15) of 2025.
SAMA issues updated finance companies regulation
- Clear requirements for all financing activities.
- Updated aggregate finance limits and bank guarantees for licensing.
A Historic Milestone – Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Opens to All Foreign Investors
- Eliminates the concept of the Qualified
UAE SCA Renamed CMA, and Other Landmark Legislations
On 1 January 2026, Federal Decree-Law No. (32) of 2025 and Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2025 took effect which establish the regulatory framework for the capital markets sector and the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in the UAE.
This step is part of the UAE’s ongoing programme to modernize the sector’s legislative and
G7 CEG quantum roadmap
On 13 January 2026, the G7 Cyber Expert Group (G7 CEG) issued a statement on advancing a coordinated roadmap for the transition to post-quantum cryptography in the financial sector. The statement follows an earlier statement that the G7 CEG issued in September 2024 which highlighted the benefits and risks associated with quantum computing.
IRSG report on AI in financial services: emerging global norms
On 12 January 2026, the International Regulatory Strategy Group (IRSG) published a report mapping how jurisdictions are approaching artificial intelligence (AI) in financial services. The report identifies where global coherence is emerging and outlining practical steps for policymakers and regulators to promote the safe and responsible innovation of AI.
Key findings
Global Asset Management Review – Issue 4
- Update on the UK listed fund sector.
- Overview of funds market and fundraising environment.
- Tokenisation from pilot to practice: A UK manager’s guide