First Islamic Bank in the World to offer direct Bitcoin investments Qorus Reinvention Awards - MEA 2025 - Winner

In early 2025, ruya became the first Islamic bank globally to offer Bitcoin investments directly through its mobile banking app. This groundbreaking initiative was made possible through a strategic partnership with Fuze, a VARA-licensed Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP). The service enables ruya’s retail customers to securely buy and sell approved virtual assets—starting with Bitcoin—through a seamless, fully digital experience.

What sets this project apart is its full alignment with ethical Islamic banking principles. Each virtual asset offered must be individually approved by ruya’s Internal Shari’ah Supervisory Committee (ISSC), ensuring the offering adheres to the highest standards of Islamic financial ethics. Furthermore, the platform discourages speculative trading and promotes long-term wealth accumulation, reflecting ruya’s commitment to financial resilience and responsible investing.

The entire process is embedded within a secure closed-loop environment. Fuze provides both brokerage and custody services, with a robust custody structure that includes Fireblocks for hot wallets and Tungsten (ADGM) for cold storage. All onboarding and transactions take place within the ruya app, preserving the bank’s customer-first, digitally native user experience.

This pioneering move not only makes ruya a global first but also opens a new chapter for Islamic finance—bringing innovation, financial inclusion, and ethical digital investing into one integrated offering.