UAE: Dubai’s Financial Services Authority Clarifies AML/CTF/S Terms
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which regulates the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has issued a Notice of Amendments to Legislation introducing updates to its Rulebook. The changes, which come into force on 1 April 2026, require Designated Non‑Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP) to provide information and submit appropriate form on the DFSA electronic portal for each calendar year.
Previously, the DFSA has announced changes which came into force on 2 March 2026, primarily affect the Anti‑Money Laundering, Counter‑Terrorist Financing and Sanctions Module (AML/CTF/S) and the Glossary.
The revisions aim to maintain consistency between the DIFC’s regulations and the broader UAE legal framework. The DFSA has updated references and definitions in its Rulebook to reflect the new federal legislation and to clarify how AML obligations apply in the DIFC. These adjustments reinforce the requirement for regulated entities, referred to as “Relevant Persons”, to comply with DFSA rules, the DIFC Regulatory Law, and UAE federal AML legislation.
Changes within the AML Module include refinements to language governing anti‑money‑laundering and counter‑terrorist financing. There is also supplementary guidance through frequently asked questions, addressing areas where firms often seek clarification. Glossary amendments primarily update terminology and definitions used throughout the Rulebook to correspond with terminology introduced under the new federal AML regime.
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