UAE-based Islamic bank ruya has made history by becoming the first Islamic financial institution to offer Sharia-compliant Bitcoin trading directly through its mobile app.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- ruya partners with Fuze to provide Bitcoin investment via its mobile app.
- Investments follow strict Islamic finance principles.
- UAE crypto inflows hit $30 billion, growing 42% year-over-year.
- Mashreq Capital also adds Bitcoin exposure in multi-asset mutual fund.
What Happened?
Islamic bank ruya has launched a Bitcoin investment service through its mobile app, becoming the first in the region to do so under the framework of Islamic financial ethics. This move was made possible through a partnership with Fuze, a UAE-regulated digital asset infrastructure provider.
JUST IN: 🇦🇪 UAE’s ruya becomes the first Islamic bank to allow customers to buy and sell Bitcoin
— Bitcoin Archive (@BitcoinArchive) December 8, 2025
CEO: “All Bitcoin investments via Ruya are fully Shari’ah-compliant, giving customers confidence and clarity.” 🙌 pic.twitter.com/d9dA63VqRc
Bitcoin Goes Sharia-Compliant
ruya’s Bitcoin investment option is unique because it complies fully with Islamic finance standards, a framework that prohibits interest (riba), excessive risk (gharar), and unethical investments. Christoph Koster, CEO of ruya, emphasized that all digital asset services provided by the bank are “fully Shari’ah-compliant,” ensuring trust and transparency for their customers.
The bank’s partnership with Fuze allows ruya to deliver a secure and user-friendly investment experience. According to Mo Ali Yusuf, Co-Founder and CEO of Fuze, this collaboration is “redefining how customers can approach virtual asset investing in a responsible and transparent way.”
Key features of ruya’s offering:
- Bitcoin trading through the ruya mobile app.
- Fully compliant with Sharia law, including asset-backing and ethical screening.
- Operates in line with prohibitions on speculation, gambling, and other restricted industries.
UAE’s Crypto Market Booming
The timing of ruya’s Bitcoin launch aligns with rapid crypto adoption in the region. According to the Chainalysis 2024 Geography of Crypto Report, the UAE recorded more than $30 billion in crypto inflows between July 2023 and June 2024. That’s a 42 percent increase compared to the previous year, positioning the country as a growing hub for virtual asset innovation.
ruya’s Move Aligns with Wider Trends in UAE Finance
ruya’s new service reflects a broader shift among financial institutions in the UAE. Earlier this month, Mashreq Capital, a DIFC-based asset manager, introduced BITMAC, a multi-asset mutual fund offering exposure to Bitcoin via ETFs. This fund combines cryptocurrencies with traditional assets like equities, gold, and fixed income to offer retail investors a diversified and systematically rebalanced portfolio.
Other UAE banks, such as RAK Bank and Liv Bank, have also dipped into crypto services by partnering with digital exchanges, although ruya stands out for embedding it within a fully Sharia-compliant framework.
SQ Magazine’s Takeaway
I think this is a huge moment for crypto in the Middle East. What ruya is doing is not just about adding Bitcoin to their app. It’s about making cryptocurrency truly accessible and acceptable to a whole new segment of users who care deeply about ethical finance. And they’re not cutting corners. They’ve built this offering with Islamic finance principles right at the core. This shows how fintech can evolve without compromising on values. If this gains traction, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Islamic banks follow suit soon.
