A Big Step for Crypto in Islamic Finance

In a groundbreaking move, Solv Protocol, a decentralized finance platform with over $2 billion in total value locked (TVL), has launched the first-ever Shariah-compliant Bitcoin yield offering in the Middle East. This innovative product opens the door for Islamic investors to earn returns on BTC while adhering to Shariah principles.

This development marks a major milestone for the global crypto industry, especially in regions like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), where Islamic finance dominates and regulatory clarity is often essential for growth.

What Is Solv Protocol?

Solv is a DeFi platform built on Ethereum and other major blockchains. It focuses on staking, structured financial products, and tokenized fund management. With over $2B in TVL, it’s quickly becoming one of the biggest players in the decentralized finance space.

Solv helps institutional and retail investors access:

  • Crypto yield products,

  • Tokenized fund structures,

  • Multi-chain staking opportunities.

With the latest Shariah-compliant product, Solv is entering a new demographic — Muslim investors, many of whom have stayed on the sidelines due to concerns about riba (interest), gharar (speculation), and other Islamic finance rules.

What Makes This Product Shariah-Compliant?

Compliant Structure Reviewed by Experts

Solv’s new BTC yield product has received Shariah certification from Shariyah Review Bureau (SRB), a leading Islamic advisory firm licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. This certification means that:

  • There’s no interest (riba) involved.

  • The structure avoids speculative elements (gharar).

  • It is built on real economic activity (Bitcoin staking).

  • Investors get returns in a compliant way, based on profit-sharing rather than fixed interest.

Key Features of the Offering

  • Underlying Asset: Bitcoin

  • Region Focus: GCC and Middle East

  • Expected Return: Variable (market-based)

  • Shariah Oversight: Shariyah Review Bureau

Market Reaction and Sentiment

April 29, 2025 – Market Overview

On the same day that Solv announced its new offering, the broader crypto market showed mixed results:

 

Asset Price (USD) 24H Change 7D Change
Bitcoin (BTC) $63,800 +0.9% +2.5%
Ethereum (ETH) $3,220 -0.5% +1.9%
Solana (SOL) $145.30 +2.1% +7.8%

Solv’s announcement came at a time of renewed interest in yield-generating crypto products, especially those offering compliance with traditional finance laws. BTC’s slight uptick could be partially attributed to growing institutional faith in structured and compliant crypto investment tools.

Chart Analytics – Crypto Yield Products and Islamic Finance

Chart 1 – Growth in Shariah-Compliant Crypto Offerings (2021–2025)

2021 2 products
2022 5 products
2023 9 products
2024 14 products
2025 (YTD) 20+ products

There is a clear upward trend in the number of Shariah-compliant crypto financial instruments, with Solv’s BTC product adding a strong entry to this emerging sector.

Chart 2 – Regional Crypto Adoption in the Middle East (% of Population Engaged)

UAE – 27%
Saudi Arabia – 21%
Qatar – 18%
Kuwait – 14%
Bahrain – 13%

These numbers show that the Middle East is becoming a major player in crypto, and with regulatory and religious frameworks aligning, growth is likely to accelerate.

Expert Commentary and Vision

Ryan Chow, Founder of Solv Protocol

“This initiative reflects our commitment to inclusivity in finance. By aligning our Bitcoin yield product with Shariah principles, we’re enabling a broader range of global investors to participate confidently in crypto.”

Yasser Dahlawi, CEO of Shariyah Review Bureau

“Solv has taken great care to meet the rigorous standards of Islamic finance. This product offers a pathway for Shariah-sensitive investors to gain exposure to digital assets in a compliant, secure manner.”

What This Means for the Future of DeFi

Solv’s innovation could be the spark that ignites Islamic DeFi. Until now, a major barrier for Muslim investors has been the lack of verified, religiously approved financial tools. Now, with a compliant BTC yield product:

  • More institutional inflow from GCC countries is likely,

  • Other protocols may follow suit,

  • Crypto mass adoption can expand in religiously conservative regions.

Final Thoughts

The launch of a Shariah-compliant Bitcoin yield product by Solv Protocol is a historic moment for both crypto and Islamic finance. It bridges the gap between modern decentralized finance and centuries-old ethical investing principles.

As demand for halal investment opportunities grows, especially in high-net-worth regions like the Middle East, expect Solv to gain even more traction—and possibly inspire other crypto platforms to enter the Shariah-compliant space.

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