Is Crypto Halal, or Haram? What Muslim Investors Need to Know

Cryptocurrencies have emerged as a popular trading and value storage asset over the past decade, with interested investors across the globe, including in the Muslim world. Many predominantly Muslim countries, as well as those with significant Muslim minorities, now feature high rates of cryptocurrency ownership, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) being the absolute leader in rankings as of 2024. According to the same data, Turkey boasts the third-highest ownership rate, while Singapore, which has a sizable Muslim minority representing around 15% of its population, is in the second position. The UAE and Singapore have also emerged as leading cryptocurrency and blockchain technology hubs.

Despite considerable interest in crypto in the Islamic world, there's still a large degree of uncertainty over its halal status, a key consideration for many Muslim investors. Some countries — for example, the UAE and Saudi Arabia — have issued warnings about the Shariah-compliant status of cryptocurrency and/or crypto trade. However, no country has banned crypto outright on these grounds. 

Adding to the confusion, many Islamic scholars have arrived at varying interpretations of the nature of cryptocurrency. Some scholars have opined that crypto is haram (not permissible for Muslims), while others have issued advisory notes broadly endorsing the majority of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC). Due to this difference of opinions, and the absence of any single centralized ruling, many investors are uncertain whether crypto is halal — i.e., permissible for Muslims.

This article covers key points in the ongoing discussion to help you decide whether any cryptocurrencies can be considered halal assets.

Key Takeaways: