SCA Category 5 (UAE) — Financial Arrangement & Advisory
Build a UAE-Regulated Financial Consulting & Brokerage Support Business
The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) framework classifies its Fifth Category as 'Arrangement and Advice', covering activities such as Financial Consultation, Financial Adviser, Listing Adviser, Introducing, and Promotion. ROTEX helps clients assess the appropriate SCA activity, coordinate company and licensing workstreams, and build the supporting business, compliance, technology, and operational infrastructure.
Build a UAE-Regulated Financial Consulting & Support Business
The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) framework divides financial activities into licensing categories. Under the current framework, the Fifth Category is 'Arrangement and Advice' and covers activities such as Financial Consultation, Financial Adviser (Issuance Manager), Listing Adviser, Introducing and Promotion.
For businesses looking to establish a UAE-regulated financial-services presence, Category 5 can be relevant where the proposed activities are focused on financial consulting, arranging, introducing or promotion, rather than operating a full dealing or brokerage business.
ROTEX helps clients assess the appropriate SCA activity, coordinate company and licensing workstreams, and build the supporting business, compliance, technology and operational infrastructure.
Category 5 is not a generic UAE forex broker licence. If the proposed business intends to operate as a forex/CFD broker or deal in spot currencies, a different SCA activity/category is required.
Why Choose ROTEX?
Regulated by UAE Federal SCA
Dedicated Arrangement & Advice Category
Financial Consultation & Introducing Permissions
Authorised Financial Promotion in the UAE
Prestige & Trust of Onshore UAE Oversight
Commercial Banking Access Across UAE Banks
Corporate & Institutional Ecosystem Integration
Complete Technology & Compliance Infrastructure
What Is SCA Category 5?
Financial Consultation & Advisory
Providing permitted financial consultation and strategic advisory within licence scope.
- Corporate & Financial Consultation Services
- Financial Adviser / Issuance Manager Scope
- Listing Adviser for Capital Markets
- Independent Feasibility & Structuring Advice
- Compliance with SCA Code of Conduct
Introducing & Brokerage Support
Introducing clients or institutional opportunities to licensed financial providers.
- Licensed Introducing Broker (IB) Operations
- Institutional Client Referral Frameworks
- Structured Remuneration & Commission Models
- Partner & Client Journey Governance
- Direct Integration with Regulated Liquidity Desks
Financial Promotion & Marketing
Promoting financial products within UAE regulatory permissions and restrictions.
- Authorized Financial Product Promotion
- UAE Onshore Marketing & Campaign Approvals
- Investor Education & Seminar Organization
- Digital Media & Content Compliance Vetting
- Institutional Partnership Development
Capital & Management Requirements
Statutory paid-up capital of AED 2.5 million and fit-and-proper leadership.
- Minimum Paid-Up Capital: AED 2.5 Million
- Fit-and-Proper Board Members & Senior Managers
- Financial Eligibility & Feasibility Study Approval
- Operational Action Plan & Resource Readiness
- SCA Initial Approval (IPA) Phase Coordination
Banking & Payment Infrastructure
UAE commercial corporate banking onboarding and multi-currency accounts.
- UAE Tier-1 Banks (Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, Mashreq)
- Multi-Currency Corporate Accounts (AED, USD, EUR)
- Dedicated Business IBAN Facilities
- Automated Corporate Payment Rail Access
- SWIFT & Central Bank UAE Direct Transfers
Technology & Business Infrastructure
CRM, compliance KYC workflows, and partner management systems.
- Lead Management & Automated Client Onboarding
- KYC / AML Screening & Document Verification
- Multi-Tier Partner & Referral Tracking Portal
- Trading Platform Integration (MT5, cTrader where eligible)
- 24/7 Technical Support & Team Compliance Training
SCA Category 5 Is Not a Spot Forex / CFD Dealing Licence
Category 5 is classified as 'Arrangement and Advice' and covers financial consultation, introducing, and promotion.
If your business intends to operate as a forex/CFD broker, deal in OTC derivatives or currencies in the spot market, or conduct other regulated dealing activities, a different SCA activity/category is required.
SCA's framework separately identifies 'Trading Broker of OTC Derivatives, OTC Commodities contracts and Currencies in the Spot market (Forex)' as a discrete financial activity with different capital and regulatory requirements.
SCA Category 5 Licensing Process
A structured 7-step roadmap from business assessment to operational launch.
Business Model Assessment
We assess proposed financial activities, advisory scope, introducing activities, promotion scope, target clients (UAE vs international), revenue model, ownership structure, directors, and office requirements.
Select the Appropriate SCA Activity
We evaluate whether Category 5 fits your proposed business (Financial Consultation, Introducing, Promotion) or whether a different SCA activity (Trading Broker OTC / Spot Forex) is required.
UAE Company Formation
We coordinate the UAE corporate setup with appropriate providers (incorporation, shareholder structure, directors, beneficial ownership, memorandum/constitutional docs, registered office, due diligence).
Capital & Financial Planning
Meeting minimum paid-up capital of AED 2.5 million and preparing a financial plan covering company formation, regulatory fees, office, management, compliance, technology, legal services, and ongoing costs.
Management & Compliance Structure
Preparing mandatory governance, internal systems and controls, risk management, compliance policies, internal audit, business continuity, complaints, and client onboarding procedures.
SCA Application
The application is structured into the initial approval phase followed by the licensing phase. ROTEX coordinates between client, legal/compliance professionals, corporate providers, and SCA.
Build the Business Infrastructure
Your UAE SCA Ecosystem: UAE Company → SCA Category 5 → Banking → CRM & Client Management → Compliance & KYC → Business Operations → Reporting & Accounting → Marketing / Introducing Infrastructure.
Technology & Business Infrastructure Ecosystem
ROTEX coordinates the complete technology and operational stack around your UAE SCA entity:
Who Is SCA Category 5 Suitable For?
Financial Consulting Desks
Providing permitted financial consultation, corporate advisory, and related services within the licensed scope.
Introducing Broker Businesses
Introducing clients or institutional deal flow to appropriately licensed financial-service providers under SCA oversight.
Financial Promotion Entities
Promoting financial products or services within UAE regulatory permissions and applicable marketing rules.
Regional Expansion Hubs
Existing foreign brokers establishing a prestigious UAE onshore corporate presence for advisory, marketing, and institutional partnerships.
Why Choose ROTEX?
Regulatory Assessment
We help determine whether Category 5 actually fits your proposed activities or if another SCA category is needed.
UAE Company Formation
Coordinate the UAE corporate setup, registered office, and legal structuring with accredited providers.
Compliance Coordination
Help establish the documentation, AML/KYC policies, and internal governance framework required by SCA.
Corporate Banking
Facilitate corporate bank account onboarding across leading UAE commercial and digital banks.
Business Technology
Deploy customized CRM, KYC onboarding workflows, client portals, and partner tracking systems.
Complete Brokerage Ecosystem
For clients also operating regulated brokerages, coordinate MT5, liquidity, bridges, hosting, and PSP cashier solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SCA Category 5 (UAE) — Financial Arrangement & Advisory requirements, timeline, and operational setup.
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