DMCC joins Dubai’s family wealth race with new foundations regime

DMCC wants a bigger slice of Dubai’s family wealth business: The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) formally established its Foundations Regulations, giving high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and entrepreneurs a new regulatory structure to hold, manage, and pass on assets across generations, according to a statement. The move follows plans first announced in June and expands DMCC’s offering beyond holding companies and special purpose vehicles (SPVs).

Uh, Enterprise, what’s a foundation? Under DMCC’s regulations, a foundation is separate from the founder who sets it up, the councillors who run it, the guardian who oversees it, and the beneficiaries who benefit from it. Unlike a conventional holding company, it’s built around long-term ownership and succession, so families can set out in advance how their wealth is managed and who benefits when control passes to the next generation.

How much control does the founder keep? Under the new framework, founders can set rules covering beneficiaries, asset distributions, governance, and decision-making while reserving certain powers over investments and appointments for themselves or designated individuals. Foundations can be established with initial assets starting at USD 100 — although that’s the starting asset amount, not the registration fee.

DMCC has been laying the groundwork for a while: We reported last year that DMCC introduced SPV and holding company licenses, allowing investors to hold assets and consolidate ownership without a physical office. It followed that with the launch of its Wealth Hub in September last year, bringing together family offices, investors, and specialist advisers, and FinX in November, connecting members with capital markets and trade finance professionals. Foundations add a dedicated regulatory structure for managing how those assets are governed and passed down.

Why it matters

Dubai’s wealth-structuring market is getting more crowded — and the demand is there. The Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) already had 1.4k registered foundations at the end of 1H 2026, up 67% y-o-y, according to the financial hub’s latest figures. It also scrapped eligibility restrictions on its separate prescribed company structure in August, opening another asset-holding option to international investors. DMCC’s entry gives families another Dubai-based option for structuring ownership and succession as the emirate expands its offering for private capital.

Not quite open for business yet: DMCC is still finalizing guidance on establishing and administering foundations, alongside a digital onboarding process. Both are expected to launch in the coming weeks, with prospective applicants currently able to register their interest.