Ruya Bank Becomes the First Islamic Bank to Launch Regulated Bitcoin Trading Services

2025-12-09

Bitcoin adoption continues to rise worldwide, but one major question has persisted for years: Can cryptocurrency trading operate under fully regulated and Shariah-compliant systems?

In December 2025, the UAE answered that question through a groundbreaking development.

Ruya, a Dubai-based Islamic bank, officially became the first Islamic bank in the world to launch regulated Bitcoin trading services, offering customers a secure, Shariah-approved way to buy and sell digital assets directly within its mobile banking app.

This new feature is not a speculative experiment—it's a carefully designed, fully audited service built to meet Islamic finance principles and the UAE’s virtual-asset regulatory framework.

With strong demand for safe, compliant digital-asset services across the Middle East, Ruya’s move marks a significant milestone for both global Islamic banking and modern crypto adoption.

Ruya’s Shariah-Compliant Bitcoin Trading: A Global First

Ruya’s launch of Shariah-compliant Bitcoin trading represents a major breakthrough. After a full review with its Shariah governance board, Bitcoin was approved as part of the bank’s long-term wealth-management tools.

This means customers can now invest in Bitcoin with the same level of oversight, accountability, and transparency as traditional financial products.

Unlike offshore or unregulated crypto platforms, Ruya ensures that every transaction follows Islamic finance criteria, including:

Ethical asset classification
Risk-sharing principles
Proper settlement and transparency
Avoidance of speculative gambling-like mechanisms

The service is integrated directly into the mobile banking app, giving customers a seamless user experience without leaving the secure banking environment.

Fully Regulated Bitcoin Access Under UAE’s Financial Framework

One of the most important aspects of Ruya’s launch is its strict compliance with the UAE’s evolving regulatory structure for virtual assets.

All trading activity—buying, selling, settlement, and reporting—remains within the country’s financial guidelines set by:

The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)

This ensures that digital-asset transactions are handled with the same scrutiny applied to traditional investments. It also provides peace of mind for customers who prefer regulated banking channels over risky offshore exchanges.

Ruya emphasized that the new system is designed for users who want Bitcoin investing without exposure to unregulated markets, making it ideal for families, wealth clients, and retail users seeking safer alternatives.

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Fuze Partnership Powers Crypto Trading and Settlement

To bring regulated Bitcoin access to life, Ruya partnered with Fuze, a licensed digital-asset infrastructure provider in the UAE. This collaboration gives Ruya access to:

Brokerage tools for order execution
Liquidity access within regulatory boundaries
Secure settlement systems
Auditable transaction records

Fuze operates entirely within the UAE’s financial oversight structure, meaning customer transactions never leave regulated channels. All activity is monitored under:

Anti-money-laundering (AML) standards
Know-your-customer (KYC) verification
Financial reporting systems

Both Ruya and Fuze highlighted that this partnership provides a regulated alternative to informal or offshore crypto trading, advancing the region’s goal of building safe financial innovation.

Rising Regional Demand Drives Expansion Into Digital Assets

Ruya’s announcement comes at a time when cryptocurrency interest across the Middle East—especially the UAE—is accelerating rapidly.

Over the past year, more than $30 billion in digital assets flowed into the UAE market, according to Chainalysis data cited in Ruya’s internal review.

Several factors contribute to this surge:

Strong adoption of digital banking tools
Growing interest from family offices and wealth managers
Regulatory clarity from UAE authorities
Increased demand for Shariah-compliant crypto solutions

Ruya’s move positions the bank at the forefront of this evolving market. Its regulated and compliant crypto infrastructure offers a model for other Islamic banks considering similar services.

For now, Bitcoin is the only available asset, but Ruya has stated it will explore additional virtual assets over time—each requiring its own Shariah and compliance review before being added.

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Conclusion

Ruya’s launch of regulated, Shariah-compliant Bitcoin trading marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of both Islamic finance and the global digital-asset industry.

Beyond meeting modern investment needs, Ruya is setting a precedent for Islamic banks worldwide.

As digital-asset adoption continues across the Middle East, Ruya’s forward-thinking approach positions it as a leader in bridging traditional finance with emerging technologies.

Whether for retail users, wealth clients, or families seeking ethical investment channels, Ruya’s Bitcoin offering represents a new era of trustworthy, compliant, and innovative banking.

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FAQ

What makes Ruya the first Islamic bank to offer regulated Bitcoin trading?

Ruya received full approval from its Shariah board and offers Bitcoin trading under UAE financial regulations, making it the first Islamic bank globally to provide a fully supervised crypto service.

Is Ruya’s Bitcoin trading Shariah-compliant?

Yes. The bank conducted an extensive review, and its governance board approved Bitcoin as part of long-term wealth tools under Islamic finance principles.

How does Ruya regulate Bitcoin trading inside its mobile app?

All transactions operate under UAE regulatory frameworks and are processed using licensed digital-asset infrastructure provided by Fuze, ensuring compliance and transparency.

Why is this launch important for Islamic finance?

It demonstrates that digital assets like Bitcoin can be integrated into Islamic banking in a fully regulated, ethical, and compliant manner, expanding investment opportunities for Muslim customers.