Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain in Islamic Jurisprudence: A Comparative Legal and Economic Study

Abstract

Cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum, have reshaped global conceptions of money, ownership, and exchange. With the rise of blockchain technology—distributed, immutable digital ledgers—applications have expanded into areas such as smart contracts, asset tokenization, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These shifts present pressing challenges to traditional Islamic legal structures, which have historically grounded financial rulings in well-defined principles such as prohibition of riba (intere... In this context, Islamic jurisprudence must critically engage with these technologies—not by rejection or blind acceptance—but through a measured analysis rooted in legal maxims and maqāṣid al-sharīʿah (the higher objectives of Islamic law). This study explores the Islamic legal perspective on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies, providing an analytical review of scholarly opinions, regulatory frameworks, and economic realities across Muslim and global contexts.