Scholars differ. Many contemporary scholars and Shariah advisers accept buying and holding major cryptocurrencies as digital assets, provided they are not used for haram purposes. Others, including Egypt's Dar al-Ifta and Turkey's Diyanet, have said it is not permissible. Leveraged crypto trading and futures are widely considered haram.

Is Crypto Halal? Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Explained

Also asked as: “Is Bitcoin halal?” · “Is crypto trading haram?” · “Can Muslims invest in cryptocurrency?”

Arguments for permissibility

Supporters argue that cryptocurrencies are digital assets or a form of money with real demand, that buying and holding them is a spot trade, and that nothing in them is inherently forbidden. Some Shariah advisory firms have issued positive opinions on specific coins.

Arguments against

Critics point to extreme price speculation that resembles gambling (maysir), uncertainty (gharar), the lack of a central authority, and use in illegal activity.

What almost all scholars agree on

Leverage, margin and crypto futures involve interest or deferred exchange and are widely held to be impermissible.
Coins built for gambling, lending at interest or other haram purposes are not permitted.
Staking and "earn" products need individual review, as many work like interest.

What to do

If you invest, stick to spot buying of established coins with money you can afford to lose, avoid leverage, and follow a scholar you trust. Many Muslims avoid crypto entirely out of caution.

Sources and further reading

Egypt's Dar al-Ifta statement on Bitcoin (2018)
Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) statement (2017)

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