Islamic bank Ruya partners with Fuze to launch UAE’s first halal Bitcoin service

UAE digital bank Ruya has launched the region’s first Shariah-compliant Bitcoin trading service, allowing customers to buy and sell the cryptocurrency directly through its mobile app in partnership with regulated digital asset provider Fuze.

The launch marks a watershed moment for Islamic finance, which has historically avoided cryptocurrencies due to religious compliance concerns, as the UAE emerges as a regional leader in regulated digital asset adoption.

Christoph Koster, CEO of Ruya, said the launch reflects the bank’s long-term commitment to shaping the future of finance in a responsible manner.

“All Bitcoin investments available via ruya are fully Shari’ah-compliant, providing customers with confidence and clarity,” — Christoph Koster, CEO, Ruya.

His remarks emphasize the bank’s goal of ensuring that the Ruya Bitcoin investment product both aligns with Islamic ethics and meets modern investment demands.

Shari’ah compliance and digital-asset access

Ruya’s collaboration with Fuze serves as the technical and regulatory backbone of the new service. The bank noted that the Ruya Bitcoin investment service has been structured to meet Islamic ethical standards while maintaining high security and user-friendliness.

As one of the most heavily regulated digital-asset environments in the region, the UAE’s framework enables banks like Ruya to enter the space with greater confidence.

Fuze’s Co-Founder and CEO, Mohammed Ali Yusuf, also underscored the significance of the partnership.

“Together, we are redefining how customers can approach virtual asset investing in a responsible and transparent way,” — Mo Ali Yusuf, CEO, Fuze.

His statement highlights the goal of ensuring that the Ruya Bitcoin investment offering not only broadens access but does so under strong regulatory and ethical guidelines.

The growth of digital-asset activity in the UAE strengthens the case for the Ruya Bitcoin investment platform. Chainalysis data showing a 42% year-on-year increase in crypto inflows demonstrates rising demand among residents, investors, and institutions.

Against this backdrop, Ruya’s entry represents a milestone for Islamic banking, which has traditionally been cautious toward digital assets due to compliance concerns.

Broader shifts in UAE banking toward crypto

Ruya’s move aligns with a wider trend within the UAE financial sector. Earlier this month, Mashreq Capital, an asset manager operating from the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), launched BITMAC — a multi-asset mutual fund that includes Bitcoin exposure through ETFs.

This development strengthens the investment landscape surrounding the Ruya Bitcoin investment initiative by signaling a growing appetite for regulated crypto products.

BITMAC offers a diversified portfolio that includes equities, gold, fixed income, and Bitcoin exposure, appealing to both retail and institutional investors.

Before the launch of BITMAC and the Ruya Bitcoin investment service, several UAE banks, including RAK Bank and Liv Bank, had already introduced crypto-trading features using partnerships with cryptocurrency exchanges. These moves reflect how traditional financial institutions are increasingly integrating regulated digital-asset services into their offerings.

The Ruya Bitcoin investment rollout therefore appears not as an isolated initiative but as part of a broader, accelerating trend toward legitimizing and systematizing crypto exposure within the UAE banking sector.

For Islamic banking in particular, Ruya’s compliance-based structure opens new pathways for customers seeking Shari’ah-aligned participation in the digital economy.

A new chapter for Islamic finance and digital assets

By introducing the Ruya Bitcoin investment service, Ruya has positioned itself at the intersection of innovation, regulation, and Islamic compliance. The development marks a historic moment for Islamic finance in the UAE, providing access to digital assets under a framework previously considered unattainable.

With rising crypto inflows, growing institutional participation, and new multi-asset funds emerging, the UAE appears poised to strengthen its role as a regional leader in regulated digital-asset offerings.

As demand for ethically aligned investment options grows, the Ruya Bitcoin investment platform may serve as a model for other Islamic banks across the region seeking to blend tradition with innovation.