In a landmark move for the global banking sector, UAE-based digital-first bank Ruya has partnered with virtual asset infrastructure provider Fuze to launch a Shari’ah-compliant cryptocurrency investment platform. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Islamic finance and fintech innovation, enabling users to buy and sell digital assets like Bitcoin directly through Ruya’s mobile app—a global first for an Islamic bank. With virtual asset activity surging across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Ruya’s bold step reinforces the UAE’s growing status as a digital asset hub and reflects a broader transformation in ethical and modern financial services.

Breaking Barriers: First Islamic Bank to Offer Direct Crypto Access

Ruya has officially become the first Islamic bank in the world to integrate direct cryptocurrency trading within its mobile banking ecosystem, marking a departure from conventional Islamic finance frameworks that have long been cautious toward digital assets.

Users can now invest in Shari’ah-compliant virtual assets directly through Ruya’s proprietary app.

The service includes major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, and is embedded within the bank’s broader investment portfolio designed for long-term financial growth.

This development places ethical investment and technology side by side, maintaining the principles of Islamic finance while embracing digital transformation.

By allowing compliant access to digital assets, Ruya has set a precedent for how Islamic financial institutions can evolve without compromising religious values.

Strategic Partnership with Fuze Unlocks Secure Virtual Asset Infrastructure

Ruya’s integration of crypto services was made possible through a strategic alliance with Fuze, a regulated and licensed digital asset firm known for building robust crypto infrastructure in the MENA region.

Fuze ensures that the digital asset offerings on Ruya’s platform are secure, compliant, and institution-grade.

The partnership is built around simplified user experience, strong backend security, and end-to-end transparency, addressing both retail and regulatory concerns.

By collaborating with a recognized digital asset leader, Ruya reinforces user confidence in a space often marred by volatility and security breaches.

Shari’ah-Compliant Digital Assets: A New Standard in Ethical Investing

In the words of Christoph Koster, CEO of Ruya, the platform’s primary objective is to empower users to engage in the digital economy “in a sustainable and responsible way.”

All cryptocurrencies and associated investment tools offered through Ruya are pre-vetted for Shari’ah compliance, ensuring full alignment with Islamic ethical standards.

The platform guarantees zero interest-based income, speculation control, and compliance monitoring, distinguishing it from conventional digital asset services.

This guarantees that Muslim investors—and those seeking ethical financial solutions—can participate in digital markets with moral certainty and regulatory clarity.

UAE: Emerging Digital Asset Capital of the MENA Region

Ruya’s innovation comes amid a broader macro shift: the UAE is rapidly emerging as the epicenter of digital asset activity in the Middle East.

As of June 2024, the UAE recorded over $30 billion in virtual asset inflows, up 42% year-over-year—a growth rate nearly four times the regional average of 11.7%.

This explosive momentum reflects the country’s proactive regulatory stance, which includes the establishment of bodies like the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and crypto-friendly policies in zones such as Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

Ruya’s offering positions the bank at the intersection of regulatory foresight and technological leadership, echoing the UAE’s broader ambition to become a global hub for Web3 and digital finance.

Building Ethical Wealth: A Long-Term Investment Vision

Unlike many traditional banks offering short-term speculative exposure to cryptocurrencies, Ruya’s approach is anchored in structured, long-term wealth building.

The crypto integration is part of a comprehensive investment portfolio, offering diversification alongside traditional Islamic investment vehicles.

Ruya emphasizes value generation over hype, aligning digital asset investing with financial literacy, risk control, and capital preservation.

This approach not only appeals to devout Muslim investors but also to ethical investors globally who seek alternatives to conventional high-risk trading platforms.

User Experience: Seamless, Safe, and Mobile-First

Ruya has engineered its app to be intuitive, fully digital, and user-centric, a hallmark of its broader digital-first strategy.

Customers can buy, sell, and monitor crypto investments through a few simple taps on their smartphones.

No third-party wallet setup is required, ensuring frictionless adoption and minimal complexity for first-time users.

Security protocols are embedded throughout the platform, including multi-factor authentication, real-time alerts, and backend risk monitoring powered by Fuze’s infrastructure.

This delivers a bank-grade, regulator-approved crypto experience, eliminating many of the barriers to entry seen in typical digital asset platforms.

Implications for Global Islamic Finance and Fintech

Ruya’s offering is more than a feature—it's a paradigm shift in how Islamic finance intersects with the digital age.

The move legitimizes virtual assets as viable ethical investments under Islamic law, potentially unlocking participation from millions of Muslim investors worldwide.

It challenges legacy banks and fintech firms to rethink compliance, customer segmentation, and the definition of financial inclusion.

Furthermore, this strategic evolution sets a blueprint for banks across Southeast Asia, North Africa, and even Europe, where Muslim communities have long sought Shari’ah-compliant digital finance products.

Ruya Redefines Islamic Digital Banking in the Age of Crypto

By integrating regulated digital assets into a Shari’ah-compliant framework, Ruya has not only pioneered a world-first but redefined what Islamic banking can be in the 21st century. The bank’s user-centric design, partnership with Fuze, and commitment to ethical finance embody a future-forward vision—one that balances innovation with cultural and religious integrity.

As digital assets continue to reshape the global financial landscape, Ruya has placed itself at the forefront—not as a trend follower, but as a standard bearer. The impact will likely extend far beyond the UAE’s borders, influencing how institutions globally think about trust, technology, and tradition in financial services.

Ruya isn’t just building a bank for tomorrow. It’s laying the foundation for a more inclusive and responsible digital economy—today.