ABU DHABI, UAE — The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has issued a decisive enforcement action against Omda Exchange, revoking the company’s operating licence and striking its name from the official register. In a statement released on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the regulator confirmed it has also imposed a financial sanction of AED 10 million on the exchange house.
The ruling is effective immediately and bars the entity from conducting any further remittance or currency exchange activities within the Emirates.
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Regulatory Violations and Inspection Findings
The enforcement action follows a series of rigorous field examinations conducted by CBUAE supervisory teams. According to the official directive, these inspections revealed “significant failures and violations” of the Central Bank Law and its associated regulations.
While the regulator did not disclose specific operational breaches, the severity of the sanction—both the revocation and the eight-figure fine—points to systemic non-compliance. The decision was enacted pursuant to the Decretal Federal Law Regarding the Central Bank and Organization of Financial Institutions and Activities.
Immediate Cessation of Operations
As a result of the revocation, Omda Exchange has been legally stripped of its capacity to operate.
- For Customers: All branches and digital platforms associated with the exchange house are unauthorized to process new transactions.
- For Creditors: The striking of the name from the register typically initiates a winding-down process overseen by regulatory authorities to settle pending obligations.
Zero-Tolerance on Compliance
The CBUAE’s action against Omda Exchange is one of the most significant financial penalties issued in late 2025. It reinforces the apex bank’s mandate to maintain the integrity of the UAE’s financial ecosystem.
In its statement, the CBUAE emphasized its commitment to ensuring all licensed exchange houses, their owners, and staff strictly adhere to UAE laws. The regulator continues to tighten its supervisory framework to ensure transparency in cross-border money flows and to safeguard the nation’s banking sector from operational risks.
