Islamic Fintech set to flourish in the post covid world
Introduction
Progressing at pace, the already flourishing Islamic fintech (financial technology) sector, itself the embodiment of the evolution of existing Islamic financial services, now has a clear opportunity to further embed itself within the world of global finance. Islamic fintech can be defined as an offshoot of financial technology that is built on Sharia principles, prohibiting profiting from debt, interest payments and investing in businesses related to alcohol, tobacco and gambling amongst others.
With the socio-economic upheaval and geo-political changes brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Islamic fintech currently has the chance to become not only a game changing, disruptive force within global finance, but an influential driver of global financial inclusion.
2020 was a landmark year for Islamic fintech as it was the first time that a standalone Islamic fintech company purchased another, with the New York based ethical investment platform and global robo adviser Wahed acquiring the UK based, Sharia compliant digital banking operator, Niyah.
So if Islamic fintech continues along the same path of rapid growth that it has been travelling along on for some time, the sector will unquestionably emerge as a competitive selection of Sharia compliant alternatives to the wide range of innovative fintech startups and established fintech giants that have been a mainstay of Western, Asian and more recently African economies over the last quarter century.
This article explores the latest in Islamic fintech as well as forecasts of the sector’s huge future potential.
The Development Of Islamic Fintech
Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global finance industry. Catering to the financial needs of the 1.8 billion Muslims across the planet and a broader, international ‘ethical finance’ audience, Islamic fintech’s role holds greater significance now more than ever before, where the need for global investment and financing has never been greater, especially in terms of financing SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and ESG (Ethical, Social, and Governance) investments, both of which align closely with the Islamic concepts of social justice and zakat (charity).
(consultancy-me.com, jan2022)
The global fintech revolution is having a similar impact on Islamic finance through the evolution of a progressive, forward-thinking Islamic fintech ecosystem, with many Islamic fintech startups using existing, successful fintechs as loose models upon which to base their own, Sharia compliant fintech organisations on.
With the appropriate modification, many of the hugely successful fintech companies across the world could be used as a blueprint to help spawn their Sharia compliant counterparts.
Statistics On The Islamic Fintech Industry
Standard & Poor’s Head of Islamic finance stated that he believes the market will expand by approximately 10% in 2022-2023 after it expanded with a 10.2% growth in total assets in 2021. In 2020, the total combined asset value of the global Islamic finance market amounted to approximately 2.88 trillion U.S. dollars, with more than 200 million micro, small and medium-sized businesses that still require banking assistance.
Over three quarters of Islamic fintechs are active in more traditional areas related to raising funds, deposits and lending, wealth management, payments and alternative finance, meaning that the digital banking space is somewhat up for grabs.
(Global Islamic Fintech Report 2022)
Based on the 2022 Global Islamic fintech report from Dinar Standard and Elipses, the size of the global Islamic fintech market was $79 billion in 2021, although accounting for just 0.8% of the entire global fintech market. The Islamic fintech market size is expected to reach $179 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 17.9% relative to the overall global fintech industry, which is expected to grow over the same period at a CAGR of 13.5%. The report also estimated that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest Islamic fintech market, is currently worth around $26bn and is projected to more than double in value in the next five years to $52.3bn.
75% of young Muslims want their banks to make investments that ‘do good in the world’, with 62% opposed to their bank lending to tobacco companies and 69% against their bank lending to gambling institutions. 74% of young Muslims said it’s important they can access their bank’s services via a mobile app and 80% said it’s critical they can access banking services anywhere, at any time.
Islamic Finance is currently estimated to be worth $2 trillion globally, at the very least. This figure is set to hit $3.8 trillion by 2023, as driven by high demand from millennial and Gen Z Muslims, who are confidently expected to account for upwards of 75% of Islamic banking revenue within the coming decade. Furthermore, with data from the ONS (Office of National Statistics) showing that by 2019 more than 90% of 16-24-year-olds were already managing their money online, it looks as if the Islamic fintech space will be a blessing for both consumers and providers.
In the UK, 4 million Muslims make up the second largest religious group in the country and according to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) contribute £31 billion to the UK economy and wield a spending power of £20.5 billion.
The UK had the third-largest number of Islamic finance education providers, only trailing behind Islamic finance powerhouses Indonesia and Malaysia. Furthermore, the UK leads the way with 27 Islamic fintechs, predominantly catering to the needs of British Muslims that want to bank with ethical financial institutions, which is more than the United Arab Emirates with its 15 Sharia-compliant fintechs.
(Global Islamic Fintech Report 2022)
Examples Of Leading Islamic Fintech Companies
Below is a selection of the most innovative and successful Islamic Fintechs currently operating around the globe:
- Qardus- The UK’s first ethical and Sharia compliant SME financing marketplace that offers up to £200,000 in working capital financing to eligible small businesses.
- Islamic Finance Guru - An online hub assisting Muslims with their investment, personal finance and entrepreneurial journeys.
- Path Solutions- Provider of Digital Banking, Risk Management/Compliance, and Banking software, serving over 150 Islamic institutions across 40 countries.
- Wahed- Ethical investment platform and the world's first global Islamic finance robo advisor. Launched the first exchange-traded fund in the United States that was compliant with Sharia law in 2019.
- P2P financier Amartha Mikro Fintek & Bank Sumut - Empowering women micro entrepreneurs through inclusive financial services including Islamic facilities to develop women-owned MSMEs in the region.
- Global Sadaqah - Award-winning, Kuala Lumpur based philanthropic fundraising finance platform, featuring CSR, Zakat and Waqf Management services.
- Yielders -UK based Islamic fintech and leading peer-to-peer property investment platform.
- PayHalal
- -
- World's first Sharia compliant e-commerce payments gateway and online ewallet issuance market. Owned by Souqa Fintech, PayHalal launched the world's first Islamic buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platform in 2021
- MRHB DeFi Network - World’s First online, ethical / Halal DeFi Solutions platform for passive crypto Income, commodity exchange & staking. Blockchain services provider based in Sydney, Australia.
- coinMENA- One of the world’s first Sharia-compliant crypto-assets trading platforms offering non-traditional investment options in the MENA region. Licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).
Challenges For The Islamic Fintech Industry
- Investment capital for Islamic fintech is for now still typically scarce, and there is a need for a new generation of stakeholders aligned with the principles of Islamic finance. Although these realities are starting to change, many sources of venture capital are still far from Sharia-compliant, making it difficult for the up-and-coming entrepreneurs to fund the development and execution of their ideas.
- The Islamic fintech sector is arguably held back by inherent structural weaknesses within Islamic finance such as the complexity of transactions. This is especially true for those in the general public as well as those within the fintech/finance industry who are acquainted with the form of Islamic financial transactions or the processes involved in carrying them out.
- A barrier to the proliferation of Islamic fintech products comes from regulatory miscommunication. While the regulatory frameworks in the Middle-East and much of Asia manage to provide for Islamic fintech, those in charge of setting the rules (and in some cases, drafting the law) around the rest of the world are often poorly acquainted with Sharia compliant products and services, let alone the principles that underpin them all. Not to mention the fact that those regulatory systems were not designed with such principle-bound products and services in mind. As such, many of these countries have yet to make much effort to accommodate for Islamic fintech. This means that those in charge of building and applying the regulatory frameworks in countries on continents such as Europe and the US will need to implement what is necessary to make their markets both receptive and accommodating to such products and services. Although expert assistance is available through professional financial organisations such as the FCA in the UK, some of the most influential actors within finance such as academics, gatekeepers, and those in authority, frequently lack the necessary knowledge about Sharia compliance.
- A further challenge facing Islamic fintech products and services and another barrier to their more widespread use is a lack of awareness of their existence amongst the non Muslim global general public, along with a lack of the requisite knowledge surrounding the basic principles that are the foundation of Sharia compliant finance. This issue is frequently raised and not just in non-Muslim jurisdictions such as the UK, but also in many majority Muslim countries.
- Performing an unquestionably essential function in musharakah, takaful, and sukuk, the concept of profit and loss sharing looms large in Islamic finance, and is a concept that may be hard to align with traditional western financial and investment philosophy.
(Global Islamic Fintech Report 2022)
Adding Value And Innovation To The Global Finance Industry With Islamic Fintech
With a customer base not far short of 2 billion people, projected to reach around 3 billion people by 2060, Islamic finance and fintech has the opportunity to take the global finance industry beyond the time-honoured bottom line of profit, and offer both ethical and sustainable alternatives in terms of investment methodology and investment products. The increasing focus on sustainable/regenerative financial models and goals, along with the recent progression in financial digitalisation and e-commerce, provides the perfect foundation for Islamic fintech to positively influence the sphere of global finance and investment.
- Global financial inclusion
- Through promoting risk-sharing contracts that provide a viable alternative to conventional debt-based financing, and also through specific instruments of redistribution of the wealth among the society based on Islamic principles such as zakat (charity).
- Addressing financial risk
- The 2008 financial crash was brought about by fund managers and financial speculators making risky investments. Islamic investments by their nature mitigate much of this danger through the prohibition of riba (interest) and ghahar (risk), thereby eliminating any opportunities for short selling or uncertain contracts.
- Offering alternatives to traditional investments
- The fact that Islamic fintech and finance are Sharia compliant does not just mean that they are acceptable to muslims across the globe, but that they offer a different choice in terms of the ethical and moral implications that come with investment choices.
- Reframing the corporate landscape
- Islamic FinTech follows Sharia principles and is hence a type of technology that is ethical and religiously acceptable. Through its very nature, it embraces environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) elements. The alignment of certain Islamic financial products and environmental, social, and governance factors along with recent strides in digitalisation may allow Islamic fintech to makes a strong foothold in the market, perhaps even bringing about re-alignment of strict shareholder interest through increased focus on SDGs, ESG investments, and genuine, far reaching programs of CSR.
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Cryptocurrency, as it is known today, started with Bitcoin as the first decentralised cryptocurrency in the modern world. The first Bitcoin transaction took place as far back as 2009 and ever since Bitcoin has grown into a global phenomenon bypassing traditional finance systems and banks. Islamic cryptocurrency, also known widely as Islamic coin, began to emerge in the late 2010s as the demand for Sharia-compliant digital assets grew.
Islamic coin is Sharia-compliant cryptocurrency that adheres to Islamic finance rules relating to financial transactions and exchange. This article will examine the benefits of Islamic coins and their relevance in the modern world of finance.
Cryptocurrency And Islamic Finance
Over the years Islamic finance and the world of cryptocurrency exchange and platforms have become increasingly interconnected. Islamic coin merges the traditional with the modern, uniting decentralised currencies with Sharia principles.
Not only does the Islamic coin stand as a testament to the thriving impact of Islamic finance on the modern world, but it also offers Muslims an alternative and innovative way of managing their money.
Two notable initiatives relating to Islamic coin are the First Islamic Crypto Exchange (FICE) and project Onegram. Project Onegram is a project that aims to create an Islamic cryptocurrency coin that is backed by gold reserves. Users of the coin are able to store their coins in a digital wallet and transact securely.
FICE is an Islamic initiative aiming to provide an Islamic digital platform for cryptocurrency transactions that are fully compliant with Islamic finance rules.
The main features of FICE are:
- it employs ethical screening
- it incorporates community governance within its structure and operations
- it offers Sharia-compliant trading
FICE and Onegram are both efforts to bridge the gap between Islamic finance and blockchain technology. The aim is to offer Sharia compliant solutions to Muslim investors in the realm of digital and decentralised finance.
Main Features Of Islamic Cryptocurrency
There are some key features that differentiate Islamic coin from other cryptocurrencies:
- Asset backing - Islamic coin is based on a system of asset backing. This not only provides intrinsic value but also stability in line with Sharia rules. Often the digital coin is pegged to assets that are tangible such as gold, real estate, silver, and commodities.
- Transparency: Islamic coin transactions must be transparent if they are to comply with Islamic finance rules. This means any trade, investment, platform being used, sales, prices, return, market, service, and exchange involved must be halal and transparent.
- Sharia law: Islamic coin must be Sharia compliant. This means the coin itself cannot be involved in any form of interest, uncertainty, or speculation.
- Governance: the governance relating to Islamic coins is usually decentralised. This is looked upon favourably by Islamic finance as it means there is more scope for the community to be actively engaged in the governance structures and processes.
- Regulation: Islamic coins, whether in the UK or abroad, must comply with regulatory frameworks that govern digital assets and finance. Digital assets are seen as a valuable commodity and many countries already have robust regulatory frameworks in place.
WHAT IS AN ISLAMIC COIN?
Islamic coins are essentially a form of cryptocurrency that is Sharia compliant. Muslims have an incentive to partake in Islamic coin trades and investment as they can be reassured that the coin is fully halal.
Of course, this means the coin must be certified as Sharia-compliant by experts with knowledge of Sharia law and rules.
For example, Islamic coin cannot be aligned or involved with any industry or market that is prohibited in Islam such as the gambling or alcohol industry. There is also a requirement that Islamic coin investment considers social benefit and social purpose as per Islamic finance rules. The ethics of the management and investment of Islamic coin are also important for adherence with Islamic finance.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ISLAMIC COIN?
Islamic coin offers many benefits to its users:
- It is Sharia-compliant and aligns with Islamic principles
- It is transparent
- It is stable
- It facilitates the creation of strategic partnerships and ethical investment
- It provides innovative financial solutions
- It supports marginalised communities
- It uses ethical investment criteria
- It facilitates and enables financial inclusion
- It enables cross-border transactions
- It operates on a profit and loss sharing arrangement
- The HAQQ platform screens for Sharia compliancy
Islamic coins offer many benefits to Muslim participants and investors looking for halal ways to invest and trade. As the cryptocurrency financial ecosystem continues to evolve, Islamic coin will play a key role in shaping the future of Islamic cryptocurrency and digital assets.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISLAMIC COIN AND BITCOIN?
When considering cryptocurrency, the question always arises about the difference between Bitcoin and Islamic coin. The main difference is that Islamic coin adheres to Islamic finance principles. The very existence of Islamic coin is to ensure that Sharia rules are complied with and there is no such obligation on Bitcoin.
Whilst both coins operate on decentralised platforms, Islamic coin should incorporate more transparent structures of governance leading to greater accountability and proof of adherence.
In addition, another key difference is that Islamic coin needs to follow ethical investment screening and criteria in order to the compliant with Islamic finance. Islamic coins operate on the HAQQ blockchain.
Whilst there are similarities in the nature of both Bitcoin and Islamic coin, the main difference is that Islamic coin adheres to a different set of values and principles. Users of Islamic coin will therefore seek assurance of compliance with Islamic rules relating to finances.
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF ISLAMIC COIN?
More and more Muslims are looking to invest in and trade in Islamic coin. The Sharia Authority which was formed for the purpose of making decisions on the validity of cryptocurrency has stated that Islamic coin is a financial asset that can be traded whether that is by sale and purchase, or traded for goods and services.
Islamic coin holds great potential in the crypto world. As the crypto ecosystem and infrastructure continue to evolve there are some trends that suggest Islamic coin will see great growth in the coming years:
- Global financial inclusion: Islamic coin is playing a central role in making sure underserved Muslim-majority regions are able to partake in digital currencies. The demand is already there and is growing.
- Islamic finance growth: as the Sharia compliant finance industry grows so too does the demand for the accompanying digital ecosystem.
- Evolving markets: as the dynamics of markets in the world continue to grow and develop, Islamic coin is predicted to grow alongside them. Collaboration and innovations are already being seen across many different regions.
- Adoption: increased adoption of Islamic coins will lead to greater liquidity, market development, and acceptance.
WHAT ARE OTHER HALAL COINS TO INVEST IN?
Whilst the list of halal cryptocurrencies is growing, it is important to note that cryptocurrencies as digital assets are not deemed to be automatically compliant. They need to be screened by experts against Sharia principles. Some coins that have been deemed to be halal include:
- ZRX
- ELF
- Aion
- Alchemy Pay
- ASTA
- BEAM
- Cardano ADA
- Chainlink
There are many other coins that are deemed to be Sharia-compliant, but in each case you must do your own research and satisfy yourself.
WHAT IS INVESTMENT BANKING?
Investment banking refers to a form of banking that deals with large and complex financial transactions. These transactions include mergers, acquisitions, raising capital funds, and re-organisations of businesses.
Investment bankers work with clients within the world of investment and high finance. Investment banking often deals with raising funds and money for large companies and governments.
Investment banking also involves underwriting debts and securities and brokering trades for private and global investors.
As conventional investment banking includes many interest-based and speculative activities, this has raised the question about the permissibility of investment banking in Islam and if it is haram.
The Concepts Of Halal And Haram Explained
In order to ascertain and evaluate if investment banking is halal or haram, we need to understand the Islamic (Sharia) concepts of halal and haram.In their very basic form, halal and haram mean the following:
- halal - permissible
- haram - impermissible/prohibited
When something is deemed to be halal in Islam, it means that it meets the very specific criteria Islam sets out. Often, the concept of halal is commonly associated with the consumption of food and drink, but in reality for Muslims the concept of halal and haram permeates their daily lives, behaviours, and actions.
For example, drinking alcohol is haram, but so is engaging in dishonest or interest-based financial activities.
WHY IS HALAL AND HARAM IMPORTANT IN ISLAM?
The concepts of halal and haram are important for Muslims as they influence their daily choices, behaviours, and practices.
Let's explore these concepts and understand why they matter to Muslims.
Halal encompasses actions, behaviours, and practices that are permitted and encouraged by Islamic law (Sharia). Halal extends to various aspects of life, including business transactions, financial dealings, accounting, personal conduct, and moral and ethical considerations.
The importance of halal lies in its connection to piety and the pursuit of righteousness. Muslims strive to lead a life in accordance with Allah's commands, and adhering to the concept of halal is a means to attaining spiritual purity and fulfilment.
By consuming halal food, engaging in halal financial transactions, and following halal practices, Muslims aim to align their actions with the principles of Islam and seek the blessings of Allah.
Haram, on the other hand, means "forbidden" or "prohibited." It refers to actions, behaviours, and practices that are explicitly prohibited by Islamic law. Haram activities are considered sinful and spiritually harmful to individuals who engage in them.
Muslims avoid haram practices to maintain their spiritual well-being and to fulfill their duty of obedience to Allah. By refraining from haram actions, Muslims seek to purify their souls, develop self-discipline, and safeguard their relationship with Allah.
The Importance of Halal and Haram for Muslims:
- Morality and ethics: for Muslims, the concepts of halal and haram provide a guide and framework within which to live their lives. This framework is centred on principles of morality and ethics.
- Spiritual Connection: Halal and haram act as guiding principles for Muslims, enabling them to establish a strong spiritual connection with Allah. By adhering to halal and avoiding haram, individuals aim to cultivate righteousness and seek closeness to Allah in their daily lives.
- Personal and self-discipline: Adhering to halal and avoiding haram helps Muslims in their personal development by fostering self-discipline, self-control, and mindfulness. Consciously following the halal path means individuals can enhance their character, strengthen their faith, and develop a sense of accountability.
- Social Cohesion: The concepts of halal and haram contribute to social cohesion within the Muslim community. Shared adherence to these principles promotes unity, mutual respect, and a sense of collective responsibility among Muslims.
Islamic Finance Principles
Islamic finance principles that relate to investment banking are in place to ensure that investment banking activities are Sharia compliant.
Some of the key Islamic finance principles that would govern investment banking trading and activities include the following:
- No riba - one of the main principles to adhere to when looking for halal investment banking is ensuring there is no element of interest involved in the transaction.
- uncertainty - similarly, there should be little to no uncertainty (ghahar) and speculation.
- ambiguity - there should be no ambiguity
- Profit and loss sharing - the parties should share in any profits and losses.
- ethical - the investment activities should be ethical
Principles Of Traditional Investment Banking
Traditional investment banking operates within the framework of conventional financial systems and practices.
These systems are often interest-based. In Islamic the concept of interest (riba) is strictly prohibited. So, investment banking which relies on interest based activities is haram.
Conventional investment banking involves activities such as capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, underwriting securities, and providing financial advisory services.
Traditional investment banks typically engage in interest-based transactions, speculative investments, and may invest in sectors that are considered unethical or haram according to Islamic principles, such as alcohol, gambling, or pork-related industries.
In traditional investment banking, interest (riba) plays a significant role, as it is often earned through loans, debt instruments, and interest-bearing investments and payment options.
Additionally, derivative products, short-selling, and leveraging strategies are commonly employed in traditional investment banking practices. These activities may conflict with Islamic principles that emphasize fairness, transparency, and the avoidance of uncertainty (gharar).
The level of uncertainty and speculation within traditional investment banking can be deemed to be haram.
Sharia Compliant Halal Investment Banking
Halal investment banking, also known as Islamic investment banking or Sharia-compliant investment banking, is a specialised form of financial services that aligns with Islamic principles and guidelines.
Islamic investment banking operates within the framework of Islamic finance. These principles seek to promote ethical and socially responsible financial practices. This means there is less scope for one-sided risk and high levels of speculation. Ultimately, this leads to greater equity and fairness in business dealings.
In halal investment banking, interest-based transactions (riba) are strictly avoided. Instead, Islamic banks and financial institutions offer products and services that are structured in a way that eliminates interest, and instead, focuses on profit-sharing arrangements or partnerships.
For example, instead of charging interest on loans, Islamic banks may engage in profit-sharing agreements, lease-based contracts (Ijarah), or partnership-based arrangements (Mudarabah). What this means for the parties is that there is more fairness.
Furthermore, halal investment banking adheres to ethical investment criteria, avoiding sectors or activities that are deemed haram, such as the porn or alcohol industry.
Investments are directed towards industries that comply with Islamic principles, such as halal food, healthcare, sustainability projects, renewable energy, and ethical real estate.
The concept of risk-sharing is also emphasized in halal investment banking. Islamic financial institutions aim to distribute risks and rewards equitably among parties involved in investment activities. This principle promotes fairness, accountability, and responsible investment practices.
Key Differences Between Traditional And Halal Investment Banking
Overall, the key difference between traditional investment banking and halal investment banking lies in their underlying principles and practices.
Halal investment banking adheres to Islamic guidelines, avoiding interest-based transactions, speculative investments, and unethical industries while emphasizing risk-sharing, profit sharing, ethical investment, and fairness.
By aligning financial activities with Islamic principles, halal investment banking seeks to cater to the specific needs and values of Muslim investors.
Muslims And Investment Banking
Islamic investment banking is a growing industry. In the United Kingdom, there are many banks and financial institutions that offer halal investment banking opportunities, products and services.
For students who are currently studying economics and finance subjects, there are opportunities to seek employment and a career in Islamic investment banking firms.
However, it is important to make sure that you work with investment bankers who are familiar with the concepts of Islamic finance and halal and haram. They will guide you to investment banking services and options that are deemed to be halal under Islamic finance rules.
Qardus Limited does not give financial or investment advice.
Written by Ruby Hinchliffe on 5th August 2020
The UK is now home to a growing 27 Islamic fintechs, ahead of Malaysia, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).As of July 2020, IFN FinTech – a global network representing fintech’s Islamic segment – says it’s recorded 142 Islamic fintechs around the world.
Malaysia has 19 fintech start-ups, followed by the UAE with 15, Indonesia with 13, and Saudi Arabia and the US with nine.
The UK's Islamic fintech scene
The UK’s fintech start-up scene has seen some significant traction from Islamic-friendly – as well as focused – firms.My Ahmed, a sharia-compliant e-money platform, was accepted onto the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) regulatory sandbox in July.
In the same month, Islamic peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform Qardus launched its services in the UK. So did sharia-complaint gold trading platform Minted, which plans to launch a digital bank in 2021. As did Kestrl, a sharia-compliant ethical banking alternative.
Since January, Islamic banking app Niyah and sharia-complaint digital bank Rizq have also launched in the UK.
Capital at Risk. Returns are not guaranteed
August 5 2020, read the full article at Fintech Futures: https://www.fintechfutures.com/2020/08/uk-leads-the-way-in-islamic-fintech-ahead-of-malaysia-and-uae...
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