In brief The United Arab Emirates’ (“UAE”) federal-level financial services regulator relevant to securities, commodities and now Virtual Assets Service Providers (“VASPs”), the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (“SCA”), has just issued two new regulations relevant to Virtual Assets (“VAs”): This follows the end of the grace period under UAE Cabinet Resolution 111 (that ended on 14 September 2023) for those conducting VASP activities within Onshore UAE (see Annex) to register with the SCA. Both…
In brief The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) recently published regulations pertaining to payment cards tokenization on electronic device applications (“Tokenization Regulations”) which came into force on 8 March 2023. The Tokenization Regulations will effectively allow for contactless payments through mobile applications including some operated by major mobile payment service providers. The said regulations impose regulatory and licensing requirements on banks and non-bank parties participating in the provision of tokenization services for payment cards. Key…
On 27 September 2022 the Capital Market Authority (“CMA”) of Saudi Arabia announced a series of amendments to its implementing regulations designed to (i) facilitate the direct listing of debt instruments (including convertibles) offered by way of private placement; and (ii) introduce a framework for equity fundraising through crowdfunding platforms. The amended Rules on the Offer of Securities and Continuing Obligations (“OSCOs”) now also provide for the public offer of exchangeable debt instruments. These initiatives…