CMA opens Nomu to new investor categories

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) announced today, Nov. 26, opening the Nomu-Parallel Market to new investor categories.

CMA’s board approved opening Nomu to bachelor’s degree holders in a number of securities-related disciplines, allowing them to qualify as eligible investors in Nomu. The measure is part of a set of amendments and facilitations that ease requirements for investors to be classified as qualified participants permitted to trade and invest in the parallel market.
 

The decision aims to broaden the investor base in Nomu and enhance liquidity, which is expected to positively support the market.
 

Under the decision, which took effect immediately, graduates holding bachelor’s degrees in finance, investment, accounting or related financial fields are now eligible to invest in Nomu.

This adds a new investor category to the existing group of qualified investors, which previously included holders of master’s degrees in finance, accounting or other securities-related disciplines, as well as professionals with accredited certifications such as SOCPA fellowship or other previously approved credentials.
 

The approved amendments also ease requirements for individual investors seeking access to Nomu. Under the new rules, an investor must have executed transactions worth SAR 20 million in the capital market over the past 12 months—down from the previous requirement of at least 10 quarterly transactions totaling SAR 40 million over the same period. This removes the quarterly minimum and applies the threshold to the full year, while lowering the minimum value to SAR 20 million. In addition, the definition of “qualified investor in the parallel market” is now limited to categories permitted to invest in Nomu.
 

The amendments also allow individuals who currently serve, or have previously served, as board members or members of board committees at companies listed on Nomu to invest in the market.
 

On March 25, 2025, the Saudi market regulator invited public input on the “Development of the Categories of Investors in the Parallel Market” via the Istitlaa platform, as well as its website.