The Existence of Riba in the Products of Cryptocurrency Exchange Companies

Authors

  • Muhammad, N Academy Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Cawangan Terengganu, Kampus Dungun, Sura Hujung, 23000 Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Syed Alwi, S. F. Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7187/GJATSI072024-3

Keywords:

Cryptocurrency, Exchanges, Riba, KuCoin, Huobi

Abstract

This paper intends to examine the existence of riba elements (interest) in the products of cryptocurrency exchange companies locally in Malaysia and the international. Two of the chosen international cryptocurrency exchange companies, namely Huobi and KuCoin, and one local company, Luno Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., were analyzed based on their websites and applications. It was found that riba exist in the products offered by international cryptocurrency exchange companies, specifically crypto loans, and lending. Meanwhile, the local one does not offer a product that generates riba. It can be concluded the two products that generate riba seem to be mirroring foreign exchange trading, which comprises leverage and margin in loans and lending. Hence, it is suggested not to subscribe to lending and loans products offered by international cryptocurrency exchange companies. This study implies for Muslim investors, who deal with cryptocurrency. It is recommended to do future research on awareness of riba in the products of cryptocurrency exchanges among Muslim investors.

References

Abozaid, A. (2020). Does Shariah Recognize Cryptocurrencies as Valid Currencies? Impact of Financial Technology (fintech) on Islamic Finance and Financial Stability, 174-191. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-0039-2.ch009

Abubakar, Y. S., Ogunbado, A. F., & Saidi, M. A. (2018). Bitcoin and Its Legality from Shariah Point of View’. SEISENSE Journal of Management, 1(4): 13-21. https://doi.org/10.33215/sjom.v1i4.32

Abu-Bakar, M. (2017). Shariah Analysis of Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, and Blockchain. Working Paper. Blossom Lab. https://www.blossomfinance.com/posts/shariah-analysis-of-bitcoin-cryptocurrency-and-blockchain

Abu Bakar, N., Rosbi, S., & Uzaki, K. (2017). Cryptocurrency Framework Diagnostics from Islamic Finance Perspective: A New Insight of Bitcoin System Transaction. International Journal of Management Science and Business Administration, 4(1): 19-28. https://doi.org/10.18775/ijmsba.1849-5664-5419.2014.41.1003

Adam, F. (2018), The Shariah Factor in Cryptocurrencies and Tokens, Available at https://shariyah.com/project/the-shariah-factor-in-cryptocurrencies-and-tokens/

Adam, M. F. (2017), Bitcoin: Shariah Compliant, Amanah Finance Consultancy, 1-54.

Alaeddin, O. & Altounjy, R. (2018). Trust, Technology Awareness and Satisfaction Effect into the Intention to Use Cryptocurrency Among Generation Z in Malaysia. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(4.29): 8-10.

Almarashdeh, I. (2018). An Overview of Technology Evolution: Investigating the Factors Influencing Non-Bitcoins Users to Adopt Bitcoins as Online Payment Transaction Method. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 96(13): 3984-3993. http://www.jatit.org/volumes/Vol96No13/1Vol96No13.pdf

Aloui, C.,Hamida, H. ben & Yarovaya, L. (2021), Are Islamic Gold-Backed Cryptocurrencies Different?, Finance Research Letters, 39: 101615.

Amanullah, M. (2018). Legal Maxim: Every Loan That Brings Benefit Is Usury, Its Related Issues and Implementation in Pre-Islamic and Malaysian Financial Transactions. Journal of Islam in Asia, 15(1): 204-227. https://doi.org/10.31436/jia.v15i1.665

Anser, M. K., Zaigham, H., Rasheed, M. I., Pitafi, H., & Iqbal, J. (2019). Social Media Usage and Individuals' Intentions Toward Adopting Bitcoin: The role of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Perceived risk. International Journal of Communication Systems, 33(17): 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1002/dac.4590

Ayedh, A., Echchabi, A., Battour, M., & Omar, M. (2020). Malaysian Muslim Investors’ Behaviour Towards the Blockchain-Based Bitcoin Cryptocurrency Market. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 12(4): 690-704. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-04-2019-0081

Balcilar, M., Bouri, E., Gupta, R., & Roubaud, D. (2017). Can Volume Predict Bitcoin Returns and Volatility? A Quantiles-Based Approach. Economic Modelling, 64(C): 74-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2017.03.019

Bashir, M., Strickland, B., & Bohr, J. (2016). What Motivates People to Use Bitcoin?. Springer

Berentsen, A., & Schar, F. (2018). A Short Introduction to The World of Cryptocurrencies’. Economic Research, 100(1): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.20955/r.2018.1-16

Boshkov, T. (2018). Blockchain and Digital Currency in The World of Finance [eBook edition], IntechOpen Limited, London, United Kingdom, https://www.intechopen.com/books/blockchain-and-cryptocurrencies/blockchain-and-digital-currency-in-the-world-of-finance

Bouri, E., Molnar, P., Azzi, G., Roubaud, D., & Hagfors, L. (2017). On the Hedge and Safe Haven Properties of Bitcoin: Is It Really More Than a Diversifier?. Finance Research Letters, 20(C): 192-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2016.09.025

Ching, O. T. (2019, June 4). SC Conditionally Approves 3 Crypto-Currency Exchanges. New Sraits Time. https://www.nst.com/.

Coin.my. (2018b). Sesi perkongsian "Unchain the Blockchain"’, in coin.my, 50 Dalil Kenapa Anda Wajib Memiliki Bitcoin. DuBook Press Sdn. Bhd.

Coin.my. (2018c). Sesi perkongsian "Unchain the Blockchain". in coin.my, 50 dalil kenapa anda wajib memiliki bitcoin. DuBook Press Sdn. Bhd.

Fong, V. (2019, January 31). SC Finally Reveals Its Anticipated Regulations for Crypto Exchanges. Fintech Malaysia.

https://fintechnews.my/19837/blockchain/cryptocurency-exchange-regulationma laysia-sc/

Gate.io. (n.d.). Lend & Earn. https://www.gate.io/lend-earn

Gunawan, F. F., & Novendra, R. (2017). An Analysis of Bitcoin Acceptance in Indonesia. ComTech Computer Mathematics and Engineering Applications, 8(4): 241-247. https://doi.org/10.21512/comtech.v8i4.3885

Hasan, A. (2007). “Al-Qarḍ alladhi Jarra Manfa‘atan. Majallat Jami‘at Dimashq lil-‘Ulum al-Iqtiṣadiyyah wa al-Qanuniyyah, 23(2): 415-48.

Hern, A. (2018), ‘Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies – What Digital Money Really Means for Our Future’, The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com.

Hileman, G. (2015). The Bitcoin Market Potential Index. Proceeding at International Conference on Financial Cryptography and Data Security. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48051-9_7

Huobi. (n.d.), Crypto Loans. https://www.huobi.com/en-us/financial/pledge/

Huobi. (n.d.), Huobi OTC Loan. https://www.huobi.com/en-us/financial/otc-loan/landing

Idris, I. (2017), Bank Negara Wants Digital Currency Exchangers to Report Their Activities. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/12/14/bank-negara-issues-draft-paper-on-bitcoin/

Ishak, M. (2016), Digitization of Financial Transactions: Cashless Society and Bitcoin for Malaysia.MyForesight.https://www.myforesight.my/digitisation-of-financial-transactions-cashless-society-and-bitcoin-for-malaysia/ (accessed 7 June 2020)

ISRA. (2018). Islamic Financial System: Principles and Operations. (2nd ed.), ISRA.

Jalil, A. (2017). 40 Hadith Berkenaan Ketegasan Pengharaman Riba. Wisdom Publication.(In Malay)

Kamble, S., Gunasekaran, A., & Arha, H. (2019). Understanding the Blockchain Technology Adoption in Supply Chains-Indian Context. International Journal of Production Research, 57(7): 2009-2033. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1518610

Kapil, V. (2014). Bitcoin: A New Paradigm in e-Commerce. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering, 3(9): 8072-8077. https://ijarcce.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IJARCCE4H-a-vasudha-BitCoin-A-New-Paradigm-in-e-commerce.pdf

Kreng, T (2023). Best Crypto Exchanges in Malaysia. Datawallet. https://www.datawallet.com/crypto/best-crypto-exchanges-in-malaysia

Kruger, A. (2017), An Overview of Cryptocurrencies for the Savvy Investor’. Hackernoon. https://hackernoon.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-cryptocurrencies-anoverview-for-the-savvy-investor-bdc035b14982

Kshetri, N. (2019), How Cryptocurrency Scams Work. Bryan school of business & economics. http://theconversation.com

Kucoin (n.d.). Margin Trading. https://www.kucoin.com/trade/margin/BTC-USDT

Lee, W. J. (2018). Understanding Consumer Acceptance of Fintech Service: An Extension of The Tam Model to Understand Bitcoin. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 7(20): 34-37

Mahomed, Z., & Mohamad, S. M. (2017), Crypto Mania: The Shariah Verdicts. INCEIF. http://www.inceif.org/archive/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Crypto-Mania-The-Shariah-Verdicts.pdf

Makridis, C. A., Frowis, M., Sridhar, K., & Bohme, R. (2023). The Rise of Decentralized Cryptocurrency Exchanges: Evaluating the Role of Airdrops and Governance Tokens. Journal of Corporate Finance, 79: 102358

Mazambani, L., & Mutambara, E. (2019). Predicting Fintech Innovation Adoption in South Africa: The Case of Cryptocurrency. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 11(1): 30-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-04-2019-0152

Mearian, L. (2019), What's a Crypto Wallet (and How Does It Manage Digital Currency)?. Computerworld.https://www.computerworld.com/article/3389678/whats-a-crypto-wallet-and-does-it-manage-digital-currency.html (accessed 12 May 2023)

Meera, A.K.M. (2018), “Cryptocurrencies from Islamic Perspectives: The Case of Bitcoin”, Buletin Ekonomi Moneter Dan Perbankan, 20(4): 443–460.

Murko, A., & Vrhovec, S. L. R. (2019). Bitcoin Adoption: Scams and Anonymity May Not Matter but Trust into Bitcoin Security Does. Proceeding of the Third Central European Cyber Security Conference, 15: 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1145/3360664.3360679

Nakamoto, S. (2008), ‘Bitcoin: A Peer-to-peer Electronic Cash System. https://bitcoin.org

Nurhisam, L. (2017), Bitcoin: Islamic Law Perspective, Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies, 5(2): 86-100. https://doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v5i2.2413

Oliva, M. A., Borondo, J. P., & Clavero, G. M. (2019). Variables Influencing Cryptocurrency Use: A Technology Acceptance Model in pain. Frontier in Psychology, 10(475): 1-13. https:// 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00475.

Pardiansyah, E. (2022). Konsep Riba dalam Fiqih Muamalah Maliyyah dan Praktiknya dalam Bisnis Kontemporer. Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi Islam, 8(02): 1270-1285(In Indonesia).

Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan. (2018). Hukum Penggunaan Mata Wang Bitcoin. Karya Bestari. (In Malay)

Pennec, G. L., Fiedler, I., & Ante, L. (2021). Wash Trading at Cryptocurrency Exchanges. Finance Research Letters, 43: 101982

Shahzad, F., Xiu, G., Wang, J., & Shahbaz, M. (2018). An Empirical Investigation on The Adoption of Cryptocurrencies among the People of Mainland China. Technology in Society, 55 (2018): 33-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2018.05.006

Securities Commission. (2021), Registered Recognized Market Operators – Digital Asset Exchanges. https://www.sc.com.my/regulation/guidelines/recognizedmarkets/list-of-registered-digital-asset-exchanges

Simser, J. (2015). Bitcoin and Modern Alchemy: in Code We Trust. Journal of Financial Crime, 22(2): 156-169. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-11-2013-0067

Siswantoro, D., Handika, R. & Mita, A.F. (2020), The Requirements of Cryptocurrency for Money, An Islamic view”, Heliyon, 6 (1): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03235.

Smart, E. (2016), Blockchain Proven to Be Faster Than Wire Transfers in Banking Payment Test.Cointelegraph. https://cointelegraph.com/news/blockchain-proven-to-be-faster-than-wire transfers-in-banking-payment-test

Top 100 Cryptocurrencies by Market Capitalization. (n.d.). CoinMarketCap. https://coinmarketcap.com/ (accessed 19 June 2023)

Understanding the Different Types of Cryptocurrency. (2019a). BitDegree. https://www.bitdegree.org/tutorials/types-of-cryptocurrency/

Understanding the Different Types of Cryptocurrency. (2019b), available at https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/understanding-the-different-types-of-cryptocurrency/

Vejacka, M. (2014). Basic aspects of Cryptocurrencies. Journal of Economy, Business and Financing, 2(2): 75-83. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292586903_Basic_Aspects_of_Cryptocurrencies

Walton, A., & Johnston, K. (2018). Exploring Perception of Bitcoin Adoption: The South African Virtual Community perspective. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, 13(18): 165-182. https://doi.org/10.28945/4080

What is A Cryptocurrency Wallet and How Does It Work?” (n.d.). Market Business News. https://marketbusinessnews.com/financial-glossary/cryptocurrency-wallet/

Zulhuda, S., & Sayuti, A. (2017). Whither Policing Cryptocurrency in Malaysia. IIUM Law Journal, 25 (2): 179-196. https://journals.iium.edu.my/iiumlj/index.php/iiumlj/article/view/34

Downloads

Published

28-07-2024

How to Cite

Muhammad, N, & Syed Alwi, S. F. (2024). The Existence of Riba in the Products of Cryptocurrency Exchange Companies . Global Journal Al-Thaqafah, 34–47. https://doi.org/10.7187/GJATSI072024-3