United Arab Emirates (UAE) removed from FATF grey list: The real compliance journey starts now.
UAE’s recent removal from the FATF grey list marks a major milestone for all the regulated businesses operating within the region. It signals confidence in the region’s commitment to improving AML/CFT practices. From Abu Dhabi to Dubai as well as the intricacies of the multiple zone such as Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). But make no mistake, this is not the time to ease off.
The Scrutiny Doesn’t End Here
Being delisted doesn’t mean the risks disappear. If anything, the spotlight on the region is now even brighter. International regulators, financial institutions, and investors will be closely monitoring how businesses in the region uphold this progress.
It’s not about what got UAE off the list - it’s about what will keep it off.
Compliance failures carry serious reputational consequences, especially in a jurisdiction freshly out of grey-list status. A single weak link in due diligence or AML oversight can undo the hard work and put both business and jurisdictional credibility at risk.
Firms must demonstrate that risk awareness, governance and AML policy enforcement are fully embedded, not just aspirational.
How KYC Portal CLM helps UAE-based firms stay ahead
At KYC Portal, we work with regulated firms across financial services, corporate service providers, funds and more, helping them stay ahead of risk through fully configurable, policy-driven compliance. We also work with consultancies in the region to be able to help deliver the benefit that firms are seeking to deploy within the immediate and near-future.
Our platform allows you to:
· Implement your own AML policies and workflows, fully aligned to the regions’ complex regulatory framework across the various internal jurisdictions that the UAE covers.
· Automate and centralise client, investor, supplier, and employee due diligence
· Track risk at every level with real-time dashboards, audit trails and automated risk scoring
· Prove compliance and protect reputation with structured governance and evidence logs
· React quickly to regulatory updates or internal risk changes using no-code configuration
· Deployment options on-premise or cloud hosting allowing firms to keep their data within the local premises or within the region itself
UAE’s delisting is a proud moment but also a clear warning: the bar is now higher. The international and local business community expects nothing short of excellence.
This is the time to invest in infrastructure that doesn’t just tick boxes but builds lasting trust.
With KYC Portal CLM, your business doesn’t just comply, it leads.