The Riffle Podcast

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ADGM & DIFC Regulatory Insights Stay ahead of the curve with expert analysis on consultation papers and regulatory updates from ADGM and DIFC. Each episode breaks down complex proposals into clear, actionable insights—perfect for legal professionals, compliance officers, and policy enthusiasts navigating the UAE’s evolving financial landscape.

  1. 6D AGO

    VARA Connect Portal – Strategic & Operational Overview

    In this episode of The Riffle, we examine the VARA Connect Portal — the official digital interface of the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) for managing regulatory applications and supervisory engagement within Dubai’s virtual asset ecosystem. The discussion explores the operational architecture of the portal, including entity onboarding, the Initial Disclosure Questionnaire (IDQ) process, activity-based dynamic disclosures, and the structured governance model underpinning application submissions. We also consider key procedural elements such as access controls and multi-factor authentication, the single-editor rule, consultant authorisations, RFI batch management, payment verification workflows, and the staged communication framework applicable pre- and post-submission. A concise overview for boards, senior management, compliance officers, legal teams, consultants, and virtual asset firms seeking to navigate VARA’s digital application environment efficiently and in line with supervisory expectations. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves

    14 min

  2. FEB 5

    Cyber Risk Survey Findings and Recommendations (FSRA Notice No. 15 of 2026)

    In this episode of The Riffle, we examine the Financial Services Regulatory Authority’s Cyber Risk Survey Findings and Recommendations, as set out in FSRA Notice No. 15 of 2026, and their implications for firms operating in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The discussion explores the results of the FSRA’s Q3 2025 supervisory cyber risk survey, assessing the maturity of cyber risk management frameworks across Authorised Persons and Recognised Bodies, and identifying recurring governance and control weaknesses observed by the regulator. We also consider key findings relating to board and senior management accountability, ICT asset identification, third-party risk management, adversarial testing, monitoring capabilities, and incident response preparedness, alongside the regulatory expectations underpinning the Cyber Risk Management Rules effective from 31 January 2026. A concise overview for boards, senior management, CISOs, IT, risk, compliance and legal teams, and ADGM firms seeking to align their cyber risk frameworks with FSRA supervisory expectations and upcoming regulatory requirements. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves

    17 min

  3. FEB 5

    UAE Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Travel Rule

    In this episode of The Riffle, we examine the UAE Travel Rule framework and its implications for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs operating within the UAE). The discussion explores regulatory expectations around the collection, verification, and transmission of originator and beneficiary information, scope and universal application across jurisdictions, verification thresholds, and role-specific obligations for originator, beneficiary, and intermediary VASPs. We also consider enhanced due diligence for unhosted wallets, prohibited assets such as privacy tokens, risk-based decisioning, and STR/SAR reporting obligations to the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit. A concise overview for boards, senior management, compliance and legal teams, risk and AML functions, and VASPs seeking to align their controls and operating models with UAE regulatory expectations. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves

    14 min

  4. FEB 4

    ADGM Updates to IT and Cyber Incident Reporting Obligations

    In this episode of The Riffle, we examine the Financial Services Regulatory Authority’s revised IT and cyber incident reporting framework and its implications for Authorised Persons operating in the ADGM. The discussion explores the FSRA’s expectations around timely incident identification and escalation, immediate notification obligations, the 24-hour reporting backstop, and the use of structured reporting templates across the incident lifecycle. We also consider incident classification, impact and severity assessments, progressive reporting, supervisory engagement, and interaction with broader regulatory and legal reporting obligations. A concise overview for boards, senior management, compliance and legal teams, IT and risk functions, and ADGM firms seeking to align their incident reporting and cyber risk frameworks with FSRA regulatory expectations. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves

    16 min

  5. JAN 30

    ADGM FSRA Thematic Review: Outsourcing Observations and Compliance Standards

    In this episode of The Riffle, we examine the Financial Services Regulatory Authority’s thematic review on outsourcing and its implications for Authorised Persons operating in the ADGM. The discussion explores the FSRA’s expectations on identifying outsourcing arrangements, distinguishing material and non-material outsourcing, and maintaining effective governance, due diligence, and ongoing oversight over third-party service providers. We also consider operational resilience, contingency planning, record-keeping, and heightened supervisory scrutiny on outsourced Approved Persons, including Compliance Officers and MLROs. A concise overview for boards, senior management, compliance and legal teams, risk functions, and ADGM firms seeking to align their outsourcing frameworks with FSRA regulatory expectations. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves

    15 min

  6. JAN 22

    VARA Guidance on Virtual Asset Investor Classification and Onboarding

    In this episode of The Riffle, we examine the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)’s guidance on investor classification and onboarding and its implications for Virtual Asset Service Providers operating in Dubai. The discussion explores how VARA requires VASPs to categorise clients as Retail, Qualified, or Institutional Investors, the financial and knowledge-based eligibility thresholds for accessing high-risk virtual asset products, and the mandatory onboarding, suitability, and verification controls that firms must implement. We also consider lifecycle management, reclassification triggers, record-keeping obligations, and VARA’s supervisory and enforcement expectations. A concise overview for boards, senior management, compliance and legal teams, risk functions, and VASPs seeking to align investor onboarding frameworks with VARA’s regulatory standards. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves

    11 min

  7. JAN 22

    Analysis of the Misuse of Virtual Assets in Financial Crime Evolving Trends and Risks (2025)

    In this episode of The Riffle, we examine the misuse of virtual assets in financial crime and the evolving risks shaping the UAE and global regulatory landscape.The discussion explores how fraud, money laundering, illegal gambling, and sanctions circumvention are increasingly facilitated through virtual assets, including the use of stablecoins, decentralized platforms, and sophisticated transaction layering techniques. We also consider the challenges these developments pose for AML/CFT frameworks, including Travel Rule implementation, beneficiary tracing, and VASP readiness. A concise overview for boards, senior management, MLROs, compliance teams, and risk functions navigating the growing complexity of virtual asset financial crime. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves

    15 min

  8. JAN 20

    ADGM Guidance on Crypto Mining Activities

    In this episode of The Riffle, we examine the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s guidance on crypto mining activities and its implications for entities operating in or from ADGM. The discussion explores how crypto mining is classified under ADGM’s commercial licensing regime, the regulatory expectations around governance, cybersecurity, transparency, and on-chain asset disclosures, and the heightened scrutiny applied to large-scale and global mining operations. We also consider ADGM’s risk-based supervisory approach and the enforcement tools available to ensure responsible innovation. A concise overview for boards, senior management, legal and compliance teams, and businesses assessing crypto mining operations within ADGM. 🎙️ Presented by 10 Leaves

    11 min
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About

ADGM & DIFC Regulatory Insights Stay ahead of the curve with expert analysis on consultation papers and regulatory updates from ADGM and DIFC. Each episode breaks down complex proposals into clear, actionable insights—perfect for legal professionals, compliance officers, and policy enthusiasts navigating the UAE’s evolving financial landscape.

Information

  • Creator
    10 Leaves
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 10 Leaves
  • Show Website
    The Riffle Podcast