If your business falls into these categories, AML compliance is mandatory
Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 and Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 require financial institutions, virtual asset service providers and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) to register, assess their risks, know their customers, report suspicious activity and appoint an AML compliance officer or MLRO. Whether a specific obligation applies depends on your activity and your supervisor, and confirming that is the first thing we do.
Real estate agencies and brokers
Client property purchases and sales. In DIFC, the definition also expressly covers developers acting for or on behalf of customers.
Law firms and legal consultancies
Lawyers, notaries and independent legal businesses handling covered client transactions, funds, assets or corporate structures. ADGM and DIFC apply their own scope rules.
Accounting and audit firms
Independent accounting practices conducting covered client transactions. Accounting, audit and insolvency firms are expressly covered in DIFC.
Company and trust service providers
Business setup, company formation, registered-office provision, nominee or director arrangements, and trust services for clients.
Gold and precious stones businesses
Gold traders, jewellers and diamond dealers. Federal scope includes single or linked cash transactions of AED 55,000 or more.
Financial institutions
Banks, exchange and remittance firms, finance and payment providers, investment and asset managers, and covered life or investment-related insurance businesses.
Virtual asset service providers
Crypto exchanges, brokers, custodians and other businesses providing regulated virtual asset services for customers.
Commercial gaming operators
Casino, online gaming, sports betting and lottery operators. Federal threshold: single or linked financial transactions of AED 11,000 or more; chip-only transactions excluded.
Sources: Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, Articles 2–4 and 22; DFSA AML Module 3.2.1; ADGM DNFBP rules; UAE joint guidance on compliance officers and MLROs.