Yes, and from two regulators. The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has called on financial influencers to register and obtain authorised "Finfluencer" status before giving recommendations on financial products or virtual assets. Separately, the UAE Media Council requires an Advertiser Permit for any advertising content.
NXTSTAR sets up the trade licence and the Media Council permit, and points you to the SCA process for the financial side.
Last reviewed: by the NXTSTAR team.
Rules are set by the authority and can change. Confirm the current position before you apply.
What the SCA regulates
The SCA's rules cover a person who gives recommendations to buy, sell or hold a financial product or virtual asset, or advice about a financial service. It applies whatever the channel: written or audio social media, blogs, seminars, forums and public appearances, including opinions or analysis about current or expected prices and performance.
The SCA publishes a list of authorised Finfluencers on its website, so brands and followers can check who is registered.
What the Media Council regulates
The Advertiser Permit covers advertising content of any kind. A finance creator who promotes a broker, an app, a course or a card needs it, on top of whatever the SCA requires for the recommendations themselves.
Which rule applies to which content
- General money education with no recommendation and no promotion: neither rule is aimed at this, but stay clear of specific buy or sell calls.
- A recommendation to buy, sell or hold a specific stock, fund or token: SCA Finfluencer status.
- A sponsored post for a trading platform: Advertiser Permit, and SCA status if the post recommends a product.
- Promoting your own paid signals group or course: check both. The recommendations fall under the SCA.
What NXTSTAR does, and what we do not
We handle the trade licence with an electronic media activity and the Media Council permit application.
We do not obtain SCA authorisation for you and we do not advise on securities regulation. The SCA accepts applications through its own website.
Common questions
Is the Advertiser Permit enough for a finance creator?
No. The permit covers advertising. Recommendations on financial products or virtual assets fall under the SCA, which has its own authorised Finfluencer status.
Does the SCA rule cover crypto content?
The SCA refers to recommendations on a financial product or virtual asset, so recommendations on virtual assets are within its scope.
How can a brand check a finance creator?
Check the SCA's published list of authorised Finfluencers for the financial side and the Media Council's database of permit holders for the advertising side.
How much does it cost?
We do not publish prices. Ask us for a written quote for your situation.
Sources
The rules on this page come from the authority's own published material, checked on 6 October 2026.
Creating finance content from the UAE?
Tell us what you want to do and we will tell you which route fits, what it involves and what we would need from you.