GCC Regulatory Updates

Recent and significant regulatory developments across the six GCC countries — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait — covering AI, data protection, fintech, virtual assets, and cybersecurity.

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2026-03
🇸🇦FintechSAMA

SAMA grants first live Open Banking licences — sandbox to commercial

Saudi Arabia
2026-02
🇦🇪AI GovernanceCBUAE

CBUAE publishes Guidance Note on AI/ML — governance, bias testing, human oversight

UAE
2026-02
🇴🇲Data ProtectionMTCIT

Oman PDPL becomes fully enforceable — transition period ends (5 Feb 2026)

Oman
2025-07
🇧🇭Virtual AssetsCBB

CBB issues framework for licensing and regulating stablecoin issuers

Bahrain
2025-05
🇦🇪Virtual AssetsVARA

VARA updates 2025 rulebooks — FATF Travel Rule, ARVAs, new VASP licence categories

UAE
2025-02
🇸🇦Data ProtectionSDAIA

SDAIA issues Risk Assessment Guideline for cross-border personal data transfers

Saudi Arabia
2025-01
🇦🇪FintechCBUAE

CBUAE issues Open Finance Regulatory Framework

UAE
2024-12
🇦🇪Virtual AssetsCBUAE

CBUAE licenses AE Coin — first regulated AED-backed stablecoin under the PTSR

UAE
2024-11
🇦🇪AI GovernanceADGM

ADGM updates AI Ethics Guidelines for financial services

UAE
2024-10
🇸🇦FintechSAMA

SAMA launches Fintech Saudi Regulatory Sandbox — new cohort

Saudi Arabia
2024-09
🇶🇦Virtual AssetsQFCRA

Qatar QFC enacts Digital Assets Framework (Investment Token Rules 2024)

Qatar
2024-09
🇸🇦FintechSAMA

SAMA expands Open Banking Framework to Payment Initiation Services (PIS)

Saudi Arabia
2024-09
🇦🇪Virtual AssetsVARA

VARA publishes updated Virtual Assets Broker-Dealer Rulebook

UAE
2024-08
🇸🇦AI GovernanceSDAIA

SDAIA issues Generative AI Guidelines — content authenticity & watermarking

Saudi Arabia
2024-07
🇦🇪Virtual AssetsCBUAE

CBUAE Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR) takes effect

UAE
2024-07
🇸🇦CybersecurityNCA

Saudi NCA publishes Cloud Cybersecurity Controls (CCC) v2

Saudi Arabia
2024-05
🇦🇪Virtual AssetsDFSA

DFSA expands Crypto Token Recognised list — new tokens added

UAE
2024-01
🇴🇲Data ProtectionMTCIT

Oman MTCIT issues Executive Regulations to the PDPL

Oman
2024-01
🇦🇪Data ProtectionMoIAT

UAE MoIAT issues implementing regulation for federal PDPL

UAE
2023-10
🇸🇦Data ProtectionSDAIA

SDAIA begins enforcement of Saudi PDPL after two-year transition

Saudi Arabia
2023-09
🇦🇪Virtual AssetsFSRA

FSRA updates Virtual Asset Framework — enhanced AML requirements

UAE
2023-06
🇶🇦FintechQFCRA

QFCRA launches RegLab regulatory sandbox for fintech firms

Qatar
2023-04
🇧🇭Virtual AssetsCBB

CBB issues new Crypto-Asset Module amendments — custody rules tightened

Bahrain
2023-02
🇦🇪CybersecurityCBUAE

CBUAE TRM Guidelines effective — all licensed FIs must comply

UAE

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🇦🇪 UAE🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia🇶🇦 Qatar🇧🇭 Bahrain🇴🇲 Oman🇰🇼 Kuwait

Updates are curated from official regulatory announcements and document publication dates in our database. This is not an exhaustive list and is not legal advice. For the latest information, consult the relevant regulatory authority directly.