Edaa Board Approves Revised Securities Depository Procedures

The Securities Depository Center Co. (Edaa) board approved amended Securities Depository Center Procedures on April 16, the company said. The revised rules govern how securities are held, settled, and transferred at Saudi Arabia's central securities depository.

Edaa operates under oversight from the Capital Market Authority and provides clearing and custody services for all securities traded on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul). The amended procedures update the regulatory framework for settlement cycles, asset safekeeping, and cross-border transfers, Edaa said in a statement.

The approval follows a public comment period on the proposed amendments earlier in 2026. The company did not release the full text of the revised procedures on April 16. A final version will be published on Edaa's website after registration with the CMA, according to the company.

The changes are part of a broader push by Saudi regulators to align local market infrastructure with international standards. The Capital Market Authority has in recent years introduced shorter settlement cycles, expanded short-selling rules, and opened the market to more foreign participation. The amended depository procedures are expected to support those goals by clarifying custody obligations and reducing operational risk for brokers and custodians.

Edaa said the effective date of the new procedures will be announced after publication. Until then, the existing rules remain in force.