Islamic Investors About to Flood Crypto Markets – Here’s Why!
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Billions of dollars could be about to flow into the crypto market from the Middle East and beyond. The crypto industry is starting to roll out products and services that are compatible with Islamic principles, opening the door to up to two billion Muslims worldwide who have been waiting patiently on the sidelines. This could be the catalyst that takes the crypto market to new heights. Let’s dig in!
WhatisShariaLaw?
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Sharia law is a part of the Islamic religion, understood as a way of life based on God's will for humankind. It serves as ideal guidance for Muslims aiming to live a fulfilled life while being closer to God. The term "Sharia" literally translates to "the clear path." Importantly, Sharia is not the same as Islamic law; rather, it is the interpretation of God's values, which can vary and influence the creation of different Islamic laws.
Muslims recognize that the rules defined by Sharia reflect a broader sense of purpose and values, protecting human welfare. The six core Universal principles of human welfare that Sharia aims to protect include:
Life Reason Religion Honor Family Wealth
For example, alcohol is considered Haram (prohibited) in Islamic culture due to its negative impact on a person's reasoning abilities, while adultery is prohibited because it affects the family unit.
Islamic Finance
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Islamic finance, also known as Islamic banking, refers to financial activities that adhere to Sharia compliance. It is separate from conventional banking because the latter often includes elements deemed unethical or Haram. The most recognized rule in Islamic finance is the ban on usury, which is the practice of lending money and charging interest.
In Islamic finance, money is viewed as a blessing from God, lacking intrinsic value and thus should not be abused or stockpiled. All transactions must be backed by tangible assets, and they must serve a purpose that benefits society. For instance, instead of lending money directly, a bank would purchase an asset and sell it to the borrower at a higher price, allowing the bank to profit in a Halal manner.
This ethical approach has led to the resilience of Islamic finance, particularly during crises like the 2008 financial crash and the recent pandemic, with the industry growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10% during this time.
Rise of Sharia-Compliance in Crypto
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As the crypto market evolves, the idea of Sharia-compliant cryptocurrencies has gained traction. While the conversation around the compliance of cryptocurrencies with Islamic principles has been ongoing since the early days of Bitcoin, it has gained momentum recently. Initially, leaders in places like Egypt and Indonesia criticized cryptocurrencies for their high-risk nature. However, over time, various projects have made strides toward Sharia compliance.
For instance, in July 2018, the Sharia Review Bureau certified Stellar as the first Sharia-compliant blockchain for payments and tokenizing assets. Ethereum followed suit when it was deemed compliant by Amman Advisers. The momentum continued with Algorand receiving similar certification.
In September 2022, the MHB Network, an Australian DeFi platform, reported high interest in Sharia-approved cryptos, leading to renewed speculation around Sharia-compliant DeFi protocols. Most recently, Bybit launched the world’s first Sharia-compliant Islamic crypto account, allowing users to trade 75 Sharia-compliant cryptocurrencies.
Which Cryptos Are Sharia Compliant?
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Determining whether a cryptocurrency is compliant with Sharia law can be complex, but some key factors guide this assessment:
* Transactions must be backed by tangible assets.
* Cryptos should not be driven by speculation, which creates uncertainty and risk (known as Gharar).
* Transparency is crucial; closed-source cryptos may raise ethical concerns.
* Interest-bearing transactions, such as Futures and derivatives, are considered Haram.
* Cryptos associated with gambling (Maysir) are also prohibited.
Some cryptocurrencies like Paxos' Pax G token, backed by gold, easily meet these criteria. Others, like stablecoins, align with Sharia principles due to their lack of speculative price action.
Bybit’s list of Sharia-compliant cryptos currently includes USDC, USDT, BTC, ETH, and many more. This list is expected to expand to 75 cryptocurrencies in the future.
What This Could All Mean For Crypto
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The potential influx of Islamic investors into the crypto market is incredibly bullish, particularly for the altcoins mentioned earlier. With the Islamic finance industry valued at approximately $4 trillion and projected to grow significantly, even a small percentage of this capital flowing into crypto could result in a massive surge in investment.
Furthermore, as more cryptocurrencies become Sharia-compliant, it could eliminate some stigma surrounding their use, leading to increased confidence in crypto as an asset class. This could catalyze a new wave of interest in cryptocurrencies, potentially resulting in trillions of dollars entering the market and kickstarting a crypto bull market.
In conclusion, the developments surrounding Sharia-compliant cryptocurrencies are poised to reshape the landscape of the crypto market. With billions of dollars waiting to be invested, the future looks bright for both Islamic investors and the crypto community at large.
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