A licensed trustee, fiduciary and custody services on a fee or contract basis business serves the UAE's financial-auxiliary and capital-markets services market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed trustee, fiduciary and custody services on a fee or contract basis businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from SCA and Central Bank of the UAE oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of capital-markets infrastructure, cross-border flows, and a growing fund sector is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned capital markets and financial services as strategic pillars under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for auxiliary activities.
Who is this for?
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai financial services market.
6619.04 - Trustee, Fiduciary And Custody Services On A Fee Or Contract Basis
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed trustee, fiduciary and custody services on a fee or contract basis business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as activities of insurance agents and brokers; management of funds fall under separate codes.
Other related but distinct services are classified under their own activity codes and not under this one.
In short: if you are operating a licensed trustee, fiduciary and custody services on a fee or contract basis business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
No third-party approval is required for this business activity. Your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is sufficient to begin operations under this activity code.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is subject to UAE Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance requirements under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 and its implementing regulations. You must register on the goAML platform, implement a written AML/CFT programme, appoint a compliance officer, conduct customer due diligence and ongoing monitoring, maintain records for a minimum of five years, and file suspicious transaction reports with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit.
References
- ¹ Securities and Commodities Authority - https://www.sca.gov.ae/en/home.aspx
- ² DIFC - Dubai International Financial Centre - https://www.difc.ae/
- ³ Central Bank of the UAE - https://www.centralbank.ae/en/
