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  • GEN App2 GEN App2 Investments

    • GEN A2.1 GEN A2.1 General definition of investments

      • Investments

        • GEN A2.1.1 GEN A2.1.1

          (1) An Investment is, subject to (3), either:
          (a) a Security; or
          (b) a Derivative,
          as defined in GEN Rule A2.1.2 or GEN Rule A2.1.3.
          (2) Such a Security or Derivative includes:
          (a) a right or interest in the relevant Security or Derivative;
          (b) the Security or Derivative in the form of a cryptographically secured digital representation of rights and obligations that is issued, transferred and stored using DLT or other similar technology;
          (c) a cryptographically secured digital representation of rights and obligations that is issued, transferred and stored using DLT or other similar technology and:
          (i) confers rights and obligations that are substantially similar in nature to those conferred by a Security or Derivative; or
          (ii) has a substantially similar purpose or effect to a Security or Derivative; and
          (d) any instrument declared as a Security or Derivative pursuant to GEN Rule A2.4.1(1).
          (3) In these Rules, an Investment Token means an instrument specified in (2)(b) or (c).
          (4) Where a Rule provides that a Security or Derivative has a different classification for a specified purpose, it shall have that effect for that specified purpose and no other purpose.
          [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]
          [Amended] DFSA RMI309/2021 (Made 30th June 2021). [VER53/10-21]

          • GEN A2.1.1 Guidance

            1. A Token is defined in GLO as a cryptographically secured digital representation of value, rights or obligations, which may be issued, transferred and stored electronically, using DLT or other similar technology.
            2. GEN Rules A2.1.1(2)(b) and (c) specify when a Token will be an Investment. A Token that is an Investment may be either a Security or a Derivative and will be treated under the Rules as being the particular type or particular types of Security or Derivative to which it is substantially similar in nature. A Token that is an Investment is defined in these Rules as an Investment Token.
            3. An Investment Token that is the same as, or substantially similar in nature, purpose or effect to, a Share, Debenture, Warrant, Certificate, Unit or Structured Product is defined in GLO as a “Security Token”. An Investment Token that is the same as, or substantially similar in nature, purpose or effect to, an Option or a Future is defined in GLO as a “Derivative Token”.
            4. GEN App 6 sets out further Guidance relating to whether a particular Token is an Investment Token.
            5. An example of the application of GEN Rule A2.1.1(4) is GEN Rule A2.1.2(2), where a Derivative is treated as a Security for the purposes of the requirements in PIB.
            [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]
            [Amended] DFSA RMI309/2021 (Made 30th June 2021). [VER53/10-21]

      • Security

        • GEN A2.1.2

          (1) For the purposes of GEN Rule A2.1.1(1)(a), a Security is:
          (a) a Share;
          (b) a Debenture;
          (c) a Warrant;
          (d) a Certificate;
          (e) a Unit; or
          (f) a Structured Product.
          (2) For the purposes of the requirements in PIB, each Derivative specified in GEN Rule A2.1.3 is to be treated as a Security.
          [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]

      • Derivative

        • GEN A2.1.3

          For the purposes of GEN Rule A2.1.1(1)(b), a Derivative is:

          (a) an Option; or
          (b) a Future.
          [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]

    • GEN A2.2 GEN A2.2 Definitions of specific securities

      • GEN A2.2.1 GEN A2.2.1

        For the purposes of GEN Rule A2.1.2:

        Shares

        (a) a Share is a share or stock in the share capital of any Body Corporate or any unincorporated body but excluding a Unit;

        Debentures

        (b) a Debenture is an instrument creating or acknowledging indebtedness, whether secured or not, but excludes:
        (i) an instrument creating or acknowledging indebtedness for, or for money borrowed to defray, the consideration payable under a contract for the supply of goods or services;
        (ii) a cheque or other bill of exchange, a banker's draft or a letter of credit (but not a bill of exchange accepted by a banker);
        (iii) a banknote, a statement showing a balance on a bank account, or a lease or other disposition of property;
        (iv) a Contract of Insurance; and
        (v) a Crowdfunding Loan Agreement;

        Warrants

        (c) a Warrant is an instrument that confers on the holder a right entitling the holder to acquire an unissued Share, Debenture or Unit;

        Certificates

        (d) a Certificate is an instrument:
        (i) which confers on the holder contractual or property rights to or in respect of a Share, Debenture, Unit or Warrant held by a Person; and
        (ii) the transfer of which may be effected by the holder without the consent of that other Person;
        but excludes rights under an Option;

        Units

        (e) a Unit is a unit in or a share representing the rights or interests of a Unitholder in a Fund; and

        Structured Products

        (f) a Structured Product is an instrument comprising rights under a contract where:
        (i) the gain or loss of each party to the contract is ultimately determined by reference to the fluctuations in the value or price of property of any description, an index, interest rate, exchange rate or a combination of any of these as specified for that purpose in the contract ("the underlying factor") and is not leveraged upon such fluctuations;
        (ii) the gain or loss of each party is wholly settled by cash or set-off between the parties;
        (iii) each party is not exposed to any contingent liabilities to any other counterparty;
        (iv) there is readily available public information in relation to the underlying factor;
        but excludes any rights under an instrument:
        (v) where one or more of the parties takes delivery of any property to which the contract relates;
        (vi) which is a Debenture; or
        (vii) which is a Contract of Insurance.
        Derived from DFSA RM01/2004 (Made 16th September 2004). [VER1/09-04]
        [Added][VER5/09-05]
        [Amended] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]
        [Amended] DFSA RMI201/2017 (Made 14th June 2017). [VER40/08-17]

        • GEN A2.2.1 Guidance

          Debentures

          1.  A Debenture may include a bond, debenture stock, loan stock or note. Certain Islamic products ("Sukuk") structured as a debt instrument can also fall within this definition.
          2.  If the interest or financial return component on a debt instrument is to be calculated by reference to fluctuations of an external factor such as an index, exchange rate or interest rate, that does not prevent such an instrument being characterised as a Debenture.

          Warrants

          A Warrant confers on the holder an entitlement (but not an obligation) to acquire an unissued Share, Debenture or Unit, thereby distinguishing it from a call Option which entitles the holder, upon exercise, to acquire an al issued (i.e. existing) Security.

          Certificates

          Certificates confer rights over existing Shares, Debentures, Units or Warrants held by a Person and include receipts, such as Global Depository Receipts (i.e. GDRs).

          Structured Products

          1.  Instruments previously known as Designated Investments are now included within the definition of Structured Products.
          2.  The reference in GEN Rule A2.2.1(f)(i) to "property of any description" covers tangible or intangible property, including Securities.
          [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]

    • GEN A2.3 GEN A2.3 Definitions of specific derivatives

      • GEN A2.3.1 GEN A2.3.1

        For the purposes of GEN Rule A2.1.3:

        Options

        (a) An Option is an instrument that confers on the holder, upon exercise, rights of the kind referred to in any of the following:
        (i) a right to acquire or dispose of:
        (A) a Security (other than a Warrant) or contractually based investment;
        (B) currency of any country or territory;
        (C) a commodity of any kind;
        (ii) a right to receive a cash settlement, the value of which is determined by reference to:
        (A) the value or price of an index, interest rate or exchange rate; or
        (B) any other rate or variable; or
        (iii) a right to acquire or dispose of another Option under (i) or (ii).

        Futures

        (b) a Future is an instrument comprising rights under a contract:
        (i) for the sale of a commodity or property of any other description under which delivery is to be made at a future date and at a price agreed on when the contract is made and that contract:
        (A) is made or traded on a regulated exchange;
        (B) is made or traded on terms that are similar to those made or traded on a regulated exchange; or
        (C) would, on reasonable grounds, be regarded as made for investment and not for commercial purposes; or
        (ii) where the value of the contract is ultimately determined by reference, wholly or in part, to fluctuations in:
        (A) the value or price of property of any description; or
        (B) an index, interest rate, exchange rate, any combination of these, or other factor designated for that purpose in the contract; and
        which is wholly settled by cash or set-off between the parties but excludes:
        (C) rights under a contract where one or more of the parties takes delivery of any property to which the contract relates;
        (D) a contract under which money is received by way of deposit or an acknowledgement of a debt on terms that any return to be paid on the sum deposited or received will be calculated by reference to an index, interest rate, exchange rate or any combination of these or other factors; or
        (E) a Contract of Insurance.
        [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]

        • GEN A2.3.1 Guidance

          Options

          1.  For example, a call Option confers on the holder, upon exercise, a right but not an obligation to acquire an issued (i.e. existing) Security, thereby distinguishing it from a Warrant which entitles the holder, upon exercise, to acquire an unissued Share, Debenture or Unit.
          2.  Options over a 'contractually based investment' referred to in GEN Rule A2.3.1(a)(i)(A) covers Options over Futures.
          3.  Cash settled Options such as Index Options are covered under GEN Rule A2.3.1(a)(ii). Other cash settled Options that are covered under this Rule include instruments which confer rights determined by reference to climatic variables, inflation or other official economic statistics, freight rates or emission allowances.
          4.  Options over Options are covered under GEN A2.3.1(a)(iii).

          Futures

          1.  An over the counter (OTC) contract may qualify as a Future under GEN Rule A2.3.1(b)(i)(C) if it can reasonably be regarded as being made for investment and not for commercial purposes. Some of the indicative factors that such a contract is reasonably likely to be made for commercial rather than investment purposes include the following:
          a.  a party to the contract is the producer or a user of the underlying commodity;
          b.  the delivery of the underlying commodity is intended to take place within 7 days of the date of the contract;
          c.  there is no provision made in the contract for margin arrangements; and
          d.  the terms of the contract are not standardised terms.
          2.  A contract under GEN Rule A2.3.1(b)(i) can provide for the physical delivery of the underlying commodity or property. Further, the price agreed under such a contract can be by reference to an underlying factor, such as by reference to an index or a spot price on a given date.
          3.  Contracts for differences (CFDs) fall under the definition in GEN A2.3.1(b)(ii) and may include credit default swaps (CDSs) and forward rate agreements (FRAs). More exotic types of Derivative contracts may also fall within the definition in GEN A2.3.1(b)(ii). These can include weather or electricity derivatives where the underlying factor by reference to which the parties' entitlements are calculated can be the number of days in a period in which the temperature would reach below or above a specified level.
          [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]

    • GEN A2.4 GEN A2.4 Financial instrument declared as an investment

      • GEN A2.4.1 GEN A2.4.1

        (1) The DFSA may, subject to (5), declare by written notice any financial instrument or class of financial instruments to be a particular type of an existing Security or Derivative as defined in these Rules or a new type of a Security or Derivative. It may do so on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate.
        (2) The DFSA may exercise the power under (1) either upon written application made by a Person or on its own initiative.
        (3) Without limiting the generality of the matters that the DFSA may consider when exercising its power under (1), it must consider the following factors:
        (a) the economic effect of the financial instrument or class of financial instruments;
        (b) the class of potential investors to whom the financial instrument is intended to be marketed;
        (c) the treatment of similar financial instruments for regulatory purposes in other jurisdictions; and
        (d) the possible impact of such a declaration on any person issuing or marketing such a financial instrument.
        (4) A Person who makes an application for a declaration under (1) must address, as far as practicable, the factors specified in (3).
        (5) The DFSA must publish any proposed declaration under (1) for public consultation for at least 30 days from the date of publication, except where:
        (a) it declares a financial instrument to be a particular type of an existing Security or Derivative;
        (b) it determines that any delay likely to result from public consultation is prejudicial to the interests of the DIFC; or
        (c) it determines that there is a commercial exigency that warrants such a declaration being made without any, or shorter than 30 day, public consultation.
        [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]

        • GEN A2.4.1 Guidance

          1.  The terms and conditions that may be imposed on a declaration made by the DFSA under GEN Rule A2.4.1(1) can include who should be the Reporting Entity and the type of disclosure requirements that should apply to that Reporting Entity.
          2.  If any issuer of a new financial instrument has any doubt as to whether that instrument can be included in an Official List of Securities as a particular type of a Security, that Person should first raise those issues with the relevant Authorised Market Institution before making an application to the DFSA for the exercise of the declaration power under this Rule. The DFSA has a discrete power to object to any proposed inclusion of a Security in an Official List of Securities of an Authorised Market Institution (see Article 34(1) of the Markets Law 2012).
          [Added] DFSA RM62/2008 (Made 4th January 2009). [VER22/01-09]
          [Amended] DFSA RM95/2012 (Made 14th June 2012). [VER29/06-12]