Ruya Bank Launches Sharia-Compliant Bitcoin Trading, Pioneering Crypto Access in UAE Islamic Finance

Source: DefiPlanet Original Title: Ruya Bank Launches Sharia-Compliant Bitcoin Trading, Pioneering Crypto Access in UAE Islamic Finance Original Link: https://defi-planet.com/2025/12/ruya-bank-launches-sharia-compliant-bitcoin-trading-pioneering-crypto-access-in-uae-islamic-finance/

Sharia-Compliant Bitcoin Trading Unveiled

Ruya Bank, a digital-first Islamic bank based in the UAE, has made history by becoming the first Islamic bank globally to allow customers to buy and sell Bitcoin directly through its mobile application.

This groundbreaking service integrates strict Sharia principles, ensuring compliance with Islamic ethical finance principles while providing secure, transparent access to digital assets. The platform’s collaboration with a licensed digital asset infrastructure provider enhances trust and operational security for customers. This development marks a significant milestone for Islamic finance by bridging the gap between traditional financial ethics and modern cryptocurrency technology.

According to the bank’s CEO: “All Bitcoin investments via Ruya are fully Shari’ah-compliant, giving customers confidence and clarity.”

Boosting the UAE’s Crypto Ecosystem and Adoption

Ruya Bank’s Bitcoin trading initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to position itself as a virtual asset hub. The country recorded over $30 billion in virtual asset transactions in the preceding year, a 42% increase and four times the regional average. By enabling customers to purchase Bitcoin within a regulated, Sharia-compliant banking environment, Ruya Bank is likely to drive higher cryptocurrency adoption, especially among investors prioritizing ethical investing. This move also opens new revenue opportunities through transaction fees and related services and enhances the legitimacy of cryptocurrencies within Islamic finance.

Institutional Adoption and Market Perspective

The CEO of a major asset management firm has reversed his earlier skeptical stance toward crypto, as evidenced by the success of a Bitcoin ETF product. Despite this institutional adoption, the executive still labels Bitcoin as an “asset of fear,” linking its volatile price to shifts in global geopolitical stability. The ongoing market risks inherent in this volatility were underscored by significant outflows from the fund in November, even after it had accumulated billions in total assets. This strategic change ultimately reflects a conviction that asset tokenization will be the next major transformation in traditional finance.