DMCC has formally established its Foundations Regulations, giving family offices and private wealth holders a new legal structure to base operations in Dubai with initial assets starting from as little as $100.
The move follows plans announced in June to introduce foundations at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, and it marks the latest step in DMCC's push to grow its private wealth offering in the emirate.
What a DMCC Foundation actually is
A DMCC Foundation is established as a legal entity separate from its founder, councillors, guardian and beneficiaries. That separation is the core feature: it allows assets to be held and managed within a distinct structure rather than directly tied to the individuals involved, which is the kind of arrangement family offices typically look for when organising wealth across generations or jurisdictions.
The low entry threshold of $100 in initial assets is notable given the framework is aimed at family offices and private wealth holders, groups more usually associated with large-scale asset structuring than nominal minimums. It effectively lowers the barrier to setting up a foundation in Dubai, whatever the eventual size of the assets involved.
Part of a wider build-out
This is not DMCC's first move into corporate structuring this year. In 2025, it also introduced SPV and HoldCo licenses, tools commonly used for holding assets or ring-fencing liabilities. The Foundations Regulations add to that toolkit, giving DMCC a broader menu of legal structures to offer clients based in or considering Dubai.
