阿联酋2023年分散式账本技术基金会规例

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DISTRIBUTEDLEDGERTECHNOLOGYFOUNDATIONS

REGULATIONS2023

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

SECTION PAGE

PART1:CITATION,ENTRYINTOFORCE,DEFINITIONSANDINTERPRETATION

3

PART2:INTRODUCTION

3

PART3:ESTABLISHMENTANDREGISTRATION

3

PART4:DLTFOUNDATIONASSETS

12

PART5:OBLIGATIONS

13

PART6:DLTFOUNDATIONDOCUMENTS

13

PART7:GOVERNANCEANDCOUNCIL

17

PART8:DISQUALIFICATIONANDLIABILITY

22

PART9:GUARDIAN

24

PART10:BENEFICIARIESANDTOKENHOLDERS

27

PART11:ACCOUNTINGRECORDSANDANNUALACCOUNTS

28

PART12:AUDIT

44

PART13:FOREIGNLAWS

57

PART14:MIGRATION

58

PART15:DISSOLUTIONANDSTRIKING-OFF

61

SCHEDULE1:DEFINITIONS

70

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DISTRIBUTEDLEDGERTECHNOLOGYFOUNDATIONSREGULATIONS2023

RegulationstomakeprovisionfortheestablishmentandregistrationoffoundationsthatfacilitatedistributedledgertechnologyandtokenissuanceintheAbuDhabiGlobalMarket.

DateofEnactment:XXXX2023

TheBoardofDirectorsoftheAbuDhabiGlobalMarket("ADGM"),inexerciseofitspowersunderArticle6(1)ofLawNo.4of2013concerningtheADGMissuedbyHisHighnesstheRuleroftheEmirateofAbuDhabi,herebyenactsthefollowingRegulations:

PART1:CITATION,ENTRYINTOFORCE,DEFINITIONSANDINTERPRETATION

1.CitationandEntryintoForce

(1)TheseRegulationsmaybecitedastheDLTFoundationsRegulations2023.

(2)TheseRegulationsshallcomeintoforceonthedateofpublication.

2.Definitionsandinterpretation

(1)IntheseRegulations,unlessotherwisedefined,thetermsusedshallhavemeaningsascribedto

theminSchedule1.

(2)Anyreferencetoaleveloffineshallbeinterpretedasareferencetotheapplicablelevelsetforth

intheCommercialLicensingRegulations2015(Fines)Rules2020.

PART2:INTRODUCTION

3.DLTFoundations

(1)ADLTFoundationestablishedundertheseRegulationsisaseparateLegalPersonestablishedto

use,deploy,develop,facilitateorsupportDLTortoissueTokens("DLTPurposes").

(2)AGeneralFoundationshallbeentitledtoapplytotheRegistrartobecomeaDLTFoundationsubjecttoanytermsandconditionsthattheRegistrarmayindividuallyspecify.AGeneralFoundationshallbecomeaDLTFoundationonandtheseRegulationsshallapplytoitasofthedatethattheRegistrarissuesthecertificateofregistrationspecifyingthatitisaDLTFoundation.

(3)ADLTFoundationshallbeentiledtoapplytotheRegistrartobecomeaGeneralFoundation,

subjecttoanytermsandconditionsthattheRegistrarmayindividuallyspecify.ADLTFoundationshallbecomeaGeneralFoundationonandtheFoundationRegulations2017shallapplytoitasof

thedatethattheRegistrarissuesthecertificateofregistrationspecifyingthatitisaGeneralFoundation.

PART3:ESTABLISHMENTANDREGISTRATION

Requirementsforestablishmentandregistration

4.stablishingandRegisteringaDLTFoundation

(1)ADLTFoundationisestablishedandregisteredundertheseRegulationswhen:

(a)theRegistrarreceiveseachofthefollowing(together,the"RegistrationApplication"):

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awnittenChartersignedbyalloftheFounders;

ii.theregistrationfeespecifiedintheDistributedLedgerTechnologyFoundationsRegulations(Fees)Rules2023;

i.adeclarationofcompliancesignedbytheapplicantaffirming:

A.thatallrequirementsoftheseRegulationsrelatingtoregistrationhave

beenfulfilled;

B.thattheCharteroftheDLTFoundationiscompliantwiththese

Regulations;and

C.eitherthatnoFinancialServicesPermitisrequiredinrelationtothe

intendedactivitiesoftheDLTFoundationorthattheDLTFoundationshallapplyforeachrelevantFinancialServicesPermitandshallnotengageinanyactivitiesforwhichanyFinancialServicesPermitisrequireduntilitisdulyreceived;

iv.ahyperlinktothepubliclyavailableDLTFramework,ifavailable;

V.anapplicationforanylicense(s)requiredbytheCommercialLicensingRegulations2015;and

vi.informationcomprisingRelevantDisclosure,providedthat,notwithstandinganythingtothecontraryintheseRegulations,unlessotherwiseisexpresslymandatedbytheRegistrar,thenamesoftheBeneficiaries(unlesstheyaresimultaneouslyCouncillors,Founders,BeneficialOwnersorGuardians)shallnot

besubjecttopublicdisclosure;and

(b)theRegistrarissuesacertificateofregistration.

(2)AtanytimeaftertheRegistrationApplicationisreceivedandbeforetheRegistrarissuesacertificateofregistration,theRegistrarmayrequiretheapplicanttoprovideitwithsuchfurtherinformationasitreasonablyconsidersnecessarytoenableittomakeitsdetermination.

(3)Alllicense-relatedmatters,includingthedeterminationbytheRegistrarwhethertograntalicense

totheapplicantand,ifgranted,theperiodoftimeduringwhichsuchlicenseshallbevalid,shallbegovemedbytheCommercialLicensingRegulations2015.

(4)lfanyFinancialServicesPermitisrequiredfortheactivitiesofaDLTFoundation,theDLTFoundationshallnotbeentitledtoconductanyactivitiesforwhichsuchFinancialServicesPermitisrequiredbeforeeachsuchFinancialServicesPermitisdulyobtained.AcopyofeachFinancialServicesPermitshallbeprovidedtotheRegistrarbyaDLTFoundationwithinfivebusinessdaysofissuance.

(5)IfaDLTFoundationfailstocomplywithsubsection(4),acontraventionoftheseRegulationsiscommittedbytheDLTFoundationand:

(a)everyCouncillor;

(b)everyFounder(thathadnotresignedattherelevanttime);and

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(6)

(7)

5.

(1)

(2)

(3)

6.

(1)

(2)

(c)everyGuardianAnnexA

oftheDLTFoundationwhoisindefaultandtheDLTFoundationcanbestruckoffpursuanttoPart15.

APersonwhocommitsthecontraventionreferredtoinsubsection(4)isliabletoafinenotexceedinglevel8.

Forthepurposesofsubsection(5),aPersonisindefaultunlesstheyshowtheyactedhonestly,withReasonableSkill,CareandDiligenceandthatinthecircumstancesinwhichtheactivitieswerecarriedout,thedefaultwasexcusable.

ObjectsofaDLTFoundation

ADLTFoundationmayhaveanyobjects,providedthattheydonotcontravenethissection5.

TheobjectsofaDLTFoundationshallbedeterminedinaccordancewithitsCharter,shallincludeandshallnotbeinconsistentwiththeDLTPurposes.

ADLTFoundationmaynotbeformedforanunlawfulpurposeandtheobjectsofaDLTFoundationshallnotincludethecarryingonofanyactivitywhichisunlawful,contrarytoanypublicpolicyoftheADGMortheUnitedArabEmiratesorprohibitedunderArticle17oftheADGMFoundingLaw.

NamesofDLTFoundations

ThenameofaDLTFoundationshallendwiththewords“DLTFoundation”.

ThenameofaDLTFoundationshallcomplywiththeBusinessandCompanyNamesRules2021,asmodifiedfromtimetotime.

Registrationanditseffect

7.Registration

(1)BeforeregisteringaDLTFoundation,theRegistrar,atitsdiscretion,shallbeentitledtorequest

evidencefromtheapplicantthattheCharterand,ifapplicable,DLTFrameworkisincompliancewiththeseRegulations,including:

(a)inrespectoftheCharter,byalegalopinionissuedinfavouroftheRegistrarbyareputable

legalcounselacceptabletotheRegistrarattheexpenseoftheFoundersoftheDLTFoundation;and/or

(b)inrespectoftheDLTFramework,byareportfollowingtheSecurityAuditissuedinfavour

oftheRegistrarbyareputableinformationsecuritycompanyacceptabletotheRegistrarattheexpenseoftheFoundersoftheDLTFoundation.

(2)lftheRegistrarissatisfiedthattherequirementsoftheseRegulationsastoregistrationarecompliedwith,theRegistrarmayacceptthedocumentsdeliveredtoit,allocatearegisterednumbertotheDLTFoundationandincludetheDLTFoundationintheDLTFoundationsRegister.

(3)lftheRegistrarisnotsatisfiedthataCharteror,ifapplicable,theDLTFrameworkcomplieswiththeseRegulations,itshallinformtheapplicantofitsdecision,togetherwithitsreasons:

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(4)

(5)

(6)

8.

(1)

(2)

9.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

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(a)withinonemonthofsubmissionoftheCharteror,asandifapplicable,theDLT

Framework;or

(b)iftheevidencementionedinsubsection(1)wasrequested,withinonemonthof

submissionofsuchevidence.

Witheffectfromthedateofregistrationstatedinthecertificateofregistration,theDLTFoundationshallbealegalentityhavingseparatelegalpersonalityandmaysueandbesued.

Oneachanniversaryofregistration,theRegistrarmustbepaidtheannualrenewalfeesetoutintheDistributedLedgerTechnologyFoundationsRegulations(Fees)Rules2023.

Within30daysoftheanniversaryoftheDLTFoundation'sregistration,theDLTFoundationshallsubmititsAnnualReturntotheRegistrar.

StatementofInitialBeneficialOwnershipandControl

AnapplicationtoregistertheDLTFoundationpursuanttotheseRegulationsmustcontainastatementofinitialbeneficialownershipandcontrol,statingwhowillbeconsideredaBeneficialOwneroftheDLTFoundationonregistration.

ThestatementrequiredtobedeliveredtotheRegistrarmustcontaintherequiredparticularsandbeupdatedasprescribedintheBeneficialOwnershipandControlRegulations2018.

CertificateofRegistration

OntheregistrationofaDLTFoundation,theRegistrarshallgiveacertificatethattheDLTFoundationisdulyregistered.

Thecertificateofregistrationmuststate:

(a)thattheDLTFoundationisregisteredasaDLTFoundation;

(b)thenameandregisterednumberoftheDLTFoundation;

(c)thedateofitsregistration;

(d)theaddressofitsregisteredofficeintheADGMand,ifdifferent,thenameandaddress(intheADGM)ofitsCompanyServiceProvider,ifany;

(e)thedateoftheCharter;and

(f)ifavailable,thehyperlinktothepubliclyavailableDLTFramework.

Subsections12(3)and12(4)oftheCompaniesRegulations2020shallapplymutatismutandistocertificatesofregistrationforDLTFoundations.

Thecertificateofregistrationshallbeinelectronicformonly.

AnyPersonmayrequestthattheRegistrarprovideitwithacopyofanycertificateofregistration,andacopyoftheCharter.

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(6)TheBoardmaymakerulesrequiringthepaymentofcertainfeestotheRegistrarfortheprovision

ofthecopyasdescribedinsubsection(5).

10.Registeredoffice

(1)ADLTFoundationmustatalltimeshavearegisteredofficeintheADGMtowhichall

communicationsandnoticesmaybeaddressedandwhichmaybethesameaddressasthatofitsCompanyServiceProvider.

(2)ADLTFoundationmaychangetheaddressofitsregisteredofficebygivingnoticetotheRegistrar.

ThechangetakeseffectuponthenoticebeingregisteredbytheRegistrar,butuntiltheendoftheperiodof14daysbeginningwiththedateonwhichitisregistered,aPersonmayvalidlyserveanydocumentontheDLTFoundationattheaddresspreviouslyregistered.

CompanyServiceProvider

11.Non-ExemptDLTFoundationstohaveaCompanyServiceProvider

(1)Subjecttosubsection(2),aDLTFoundationmustatalltimeshaveaCompanyServiceProvider,

licensedpursuanttotheCommercialLicensingRegulations2015tocarryoutthecontrolledactivityofprovidingcompanyservices,asdefinedinRule7oftheCommercialLicensingRegulations2015(ControlledActivities)Rules2022.

(2)Notwithstandingsubsection(1),aDLTFoundationthathasdemonstratedtothesatisfactionofthe

Registrartohave:

substantialresources,experienceandpersonnelintheUnitedArabEmirates;and

(b)adequategovemancepoliciesandprocedures,ineachcaseasmaybespecifiedbyrules

madebytheBoardorguidanceissuedbytheRegistrar,

neednothaveaCompanyServiceProvider.

(3)NoticeofaPersonhavingbecomeaCompanyServiceProvideroftheNon-ExemptDLTFoundationmustbeaccompaniedbythatPerson'sconsentintheprescribedformtoactinthatcapacity.

(4)PriortotheregistrationofaDLTFoundation,theFounderorFoundersmayappointaCompany

ServiceProviderbyincludingthenameandaddress(intheADGM)ofsuchPersonintheCharterformingpartoftheDLTFoundation'sRegistrationApplication.

(5)ADLTFoundationmayappointandremovefromofficeaCompanyServiceProviderbyResolution

ofCouncillors.

(6)lfaNon-ExemptDLTFoundationfailstocomplywithsubsection(1),acontraventionoftheseRegulationsiscommittedby:

(a)theNon-ExemptDLTFoundation;and

(b)everyCouncillor.

(7)APersonwhocommitsthecontraventionreferredtoinsubsection(6)isliabletoafinenotexceedinglevel7.

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(8)ANon-ExemptDLTFoundationmust,withintheperiodof14daysfromaPersonbecomingorceasingtobeaCompanyServiceProvideroftheNon-ExemptDLTFoundation("filingdeadline"),givenoticetotheRegistrarofthechangeandofthedateonwhichitoccurred,inaformthatcomplieswiththerequirementsofthissection11.

(9)WhereaNon-ExemptDLTFoundationdefaultsincomplyingwithsubsection(6)bythefilingdeadline,theNon-ExemptDLTFoundationmustpayalateflingfeeuptothemaximumamountprescribedinrulesmadebytheBoard.

12.ObligationsofCompanyServiceProviderandNon-ExemptDLTFoundation

(1)TheCompanyServiceProviderofaNon-ExemptDLTFoundationshallmaintaintherecordsthat

theNon-ExemptDLTFoundationisrequiredtomaintainunderorinaccordancewithany

enactmentorsubordinatelegislationapplicabletotheNon-ExemptDLTFoundation,including

(a)theseRegulations;

(b)theCommercialLicensingRegulations2015(ConditionsofLicenceandBranchRegistration)Rules2023andanylicencegrantedthereunder;and

(c)theBeneficialOwnershipandControlRegulations2018.

(2)TheCompanyServiceProviderofaNon-ExemptDLTFoundation:

(a)mustactasaRegisteredOfficeProvidertothatFoundation;

(b)isauthorisedtorepresenttheNon-ExemptDLTFoundationinitsdealingswiththeRegistrar;and

(c)shallgiveallnoticesandmakeallfilingsthattheNon-ExemptDLTFoundationisobliged

tomaketotheRegistrarunderanyenactmentorsubordinatelegislationapplicabletoit,including:

i.theseRegulations;

ii.theCommercialLicensingRegulations2015(ConditionsofLicenceandBranch

Registration)Rules2023andanylicencegrantedthereunder;and

i.theBeneficialOwnershipandControlRegulations2018.

(3)ANon-ExemptDLTFoundationmustmakeavailabletoitsCompanyServiceProvidersuchdocumentsandinformationasisrequiredtoenabletheCompanyServiceProvidertocomplywithitsobligationsunderthissection12.

(4)Ifadefaultismadeincomplyingwithsubsection(3),acontraventionoftheseRegulationsiscommittedby:

(a)theDLTFoundation;and

(b)everyCouncillorwhoisindefault.

(5)APersonwhocommitsthecontraventionreferredtoinsubsection(4)isliabletoafinenotexceedinglevel6.

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13.ServiceofDocumentsonDLTFoundations

AdocumentmaybeservedonaDLTFoundationregisteredundertheseRegulationsbyleavingitat,orsendingitbypostorcourierto,theDLTFoundation'sregisteredoffice,ortheofficeofitsCompanyServiceProviderappointedinaccordancewiththeseRegulations.

TheRegistrar

14.PowersoftheRegistrar

(1)TheRegistrarshalladministertheseRegulationsandperformthefunctionsandexercisethe

powersconferredbyorundertheseRegulations,theCompaniesRegulations2020andtheCommercialLicensingRegulations2015.

(2)TheRegistrarhastheauthoritytoapprovesuchformsasitconsidersnecessaryforthepurposeof

theseRegulationsandmayissuesuchguidelinesordirectionsasarerequiredfortheproperadministrationoftheseRegulations.

(3)TheRegistrarshallutilisetheofficialsealreferencedinsection937(TheRegistrar'sofficialseal)oftheCompaniesRegulations2020inauthenticatingorissuingofficialdocumentsinconnectionwiththeregistrationofDLTFoundationsundertheseRegulations.

(4)TheRegistrarmaygivedirectionstotheDLTFoundationrequiringit-

(a)toproducesuchdocuments(ordocumentsofsuchdescniption)asmaybespecifiedinthe

directions;and

(b)toprovidesuchinformation(orinformationofsuchdescription)asmaybesospecified,

atsuchtimeandplaceasmaybespecifiedinthedirections.

(5)Theproductionofadocumentinpursuanceofsubsection(4)doesnotaffectanylienwhichaPersonhasonthedocument.

(6)TheRegistrarmaytakecopiesoforextractsfromadocumentproducedinpursuanceofthissection14.

(7)Thepowerunderthissection14torequireproductionofadocumentincludespower,inthecase

ofadocumentnotinhardcopyform,torequiretheproductionofacopyofthedocument-

(a)inhardcopyform;or

(b)inaformfromwhichahardcopycanbereadilyobtained.

(8)AnyPersonwhoisindefaultandfailstocomplywithanyrequirementimposedinaccordancewiththissection14commitsacontraventionoftheseRegulationsandshallbeliabletoafineofuptolevel8.

(9)Forthepurposesofsubsection(6)(8),aPersonisindefaultunlesssuchPersonshowsthatsuch

Personactedhonestly,withReasonableSkill,CareandDiligenceandthatinthecircumstancesinwhichtheactivitieswerecarriedout,thedefaultwasexcusable.

(10)Inthissection“document”includesinformationrecordedinanyform.

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(11)TheRegistrarmaydiscloseanymaterialheldwheresuchdisclosureis:

(a)permittedorrequiredtobemadeunderthelaws,regulationsorrulesoftheADGM;

(b)madeto:

i.theFinancialServicesRegulator(andtheRegistrarispermittedtocommunicateandconsultwiththeFinancialServicesRegulatoronanymatterspertainingtoanyFoundation);

ii.agovernmentalorregulatoryauthorityexercisingpowersandperformingfunctionsrelatingtotaxationoranti-moneylaundering;

iii.aself-regulatorybodyororganisationexercisingandperformingpowersandfunctionsinrelationtofinancialservices;

iv.acivilorcriminallawenforcementagency;or

v.agovernmentalorotherregulatoryauthorityincludingaself-regulatorybodyororganisationexercisingpowersandperformingfunctionsinrelationtotheregulationofauditors,accountantsorlawyers,forthepurposeofassistingtheperformancebyanysuchPersonofitsregulatoryfunctions;or

(c)ismadeingoodfaithforthepurposesofperformanceandexerciseofthefunctionsand

powersoftheRegistrar.

(12)TheRegistrarshallmaintainapublicDLTFoundationsRegisterestablishedunderthese

RegulationswhichwillcontainthefollowinginformationinrespectofeachDLTFoundation:

(a)nameandregistrationnumber;

(b)nameandaddress(intheADGM)ofitsCompanyServiceProvider,ifany;

(c)nameofeachCouncillor;

(d)dateofestablishmentundertheseRegulationsanddateofexpiryofregistration;

(e)thescopeofactivitiesunderthecommerciallicense;

(f)acopyoftheCharter;

(g)iftheDLTFoundationhasanyFinancialServicesPermits,thescopeanddateofexpiryof

eachFinancialServicesPermit;

(h)anyinformationincludedintheRelevantDisclosure,providedthat,notwithstandinganythingtothecontraryintheseRegulations,unlessotherwiseisexpresslymandatedbytheRegistrar,thenamesoftheBeneficiaries(unlesstheyaresimultaneouslyCouncillors,Founders,BeneficialOwnersorGuardians)shallnotbesubjecttopublicdisclosure;

(i)nameoftheDLTFoundation'sauditor;and

()copiesofanyAnnualAccountsandAuditor'sReportsfiledwiththeRegistrar.

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(13)TheDLTFoundationsRegistershallbeinsuchformastheRegistrarmaydetermine.

(14)Fortheavoidanceofdoubt,section939(Publicnoticeofissueofcertificateofregistration)andsection952(Documentssubjecttoenhanceddisclosurerequirements)ofCompaniesRegulations2020donotapplyinrespectofDLTFoundations.

15.FeespayabletotheRegistrar

(a)TheBoardmaymakerulesrequiringthepaymenttotheRegistraroffeesinrespectof:

(i)theperformanceofanyoftheRegistrar'sfunctions;or

i)provisionbytheRegistrarofservicesorfacilitiesforpurposesincidentalto,or

otherwiseconnectedwith,theperformanceofanyoftheRegistrar'sfunctions.

(b)Themattersforwhichfeesmaybechargedinclude:

(i)theperformanceofadutyimposedontheRegistrarortheBoard;

(i)thereceiptofdocumentsdeliveredtotheRegistrar;and

(ii)theinspection,orprovisionofcopies,ofdocumentskeptbytheRegistrar.

(c)Therulesmay

(i)providefortheamountofthefeestobefixedbyordeterminedundertherules;

(i)providefordifferentfeestobepayableinrespectofthesamematterindifferentcircumstances;

(ii)specifythePersonbywhomanyfeepayableundertherulesistobepaid;and

(iv)specifywhenandhowfeesaretobepaid.

(d)FeesreceivedbytheRegistrararetobepaidintosuchaccountastheRegistrarmaydirect,fromtimetotime.

16.Fines

(1)IfalloranyoftheamountofafinepayableundertheseRegulationsisoutstanding30daysafter

noticeofthatfinehasbeenissued,theRegistrarmayrecoverthatamountasadebtduetoit.

(2)Thissection16issubjecttoanydirectionoftheCourt.

17.Finesforlatefilings

(1)WhereaPersoncommitsacontraventionofanyrelevantflingsectionoftheseRegulations,a

contraventionoftheseRegulationsiscommittedby:

(a)theDLTFoundation;and

(b)everyCouncillor,

andtheRegistrarmayimposeafineofuptolevel4.

REGISTRA