Numerous studies ranging from concept papers and reviews were conducted on the matter of blockchain and digital currencies. However, those two areas are not well researched due to its being a new area of research. Furthermore, the research on blockchain applications in the Islamic financial system precisely the potential of digital currency in providing a better alternative to current fiat money system which will be the scope of this article. The aim of revolves around exploring the potential and capability of introducing a digital currency that fulfills the Islamic law (Shari'ah) functions of money and provides a more stable currency than fiat money. The method used for analyzing this object includes a library research on related topics that helps understanding the functions of money and digital currencies and study of several cases that can assist in fulfilling the objectives of this paper in introducing an Islamic digital currency through detailed research of Islamic theory of money and civilization as well as the developments of blockchain, our findings point towards the ability of introducing a Shari'ah-compliant digital currency if all the issues on validity are addressed and resolved. However, the area of digital currencies and blockchain requires further research from a Shari'ah perspective to facilitate a better understanding on the topic.

In the crypto world, there is a proverbial (and literal) gold rush now occurring. Currently, more than 37 gold-backed cryptocurrency companies have now emerged.Interestingly, some of them also claim to be Sharīʿah-compliant. Introducing precious metal-backed cryptocurrencies is perceived to be an innovation among global payment systems, hampered in part by lack of supporting empirical evidence. Therefore, this research investigates potential users' tendency to adopt a Sharīʿah-compliant precious metal-backed cryptocurrency. As such, this study adopts an extended adoption model, which consists of eight factors. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was conducted on data elicited from economic active residents in Klang Valley from questionnaires. Overall, it was found six out of the eight constructs specified to influence the adoption of precious metal-backed cryptocurrency were statistically significant where 54.5% of the variation in adoption of PMBC can be explained by the structure model provided by this research. It was also found 63.55% of the respondents are willing to adopt precious metal-backed cryptocurrency in their future transactions. K E Y W O R D Sadoption model, cryptocurrency, Malaysia, precious metal, Sharīʿah-compliant

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the legal interpretation of three Islamic financing products considered for approval by US authorities, from the United Bank of Kuwait and Guidance Residential, even though the USA has not enacted any Shari’ah legislation in relation to the Islamic law of transactions (fiqh mu’amalat). Design/methodology/approach This paper primarily adopted qualitative document and content analysis, supported by quantitative numerical analysis, in reviewing legal interpretive letters from the US Office of the Comptroller of Currency and National Administrator of Banks (OCC) and the US Department of Revenue. Findings The research found that in assessing economic substance over legal form, each of the three products involved risk-free transactions and interest. Research limitations/implications The research had access to published OCC, Department of Revenue and US Patent Office material that fully disclosed the mechanics of each of the selected products. Practical implications The implication for the Islamic financial institutions involves Shari’ah compliance risk. When tested against the Islamic normative theory of lawful profit, it confirms that the products are non-compliant. Social implications The social implication is customer awareness of Shari’ah non-compliance in the USA and the impact for other jurisdictions carrying the same products. Originality/value The significance of this research for Islamic banking product design and development is that it enhances the ability to block the legal means to an unlawful outcome (sadd al-dhara’i), thereby avoiding harm (al-darar) attributed to usury (riba), and upholding what is in the public interest (maslahah), to fulfil one of the objectives of the Shari’ah (maqasid al-Shari’ah), which is to protect wealth (hafiz al-mal).

Purpose This paper aims to re-evaluate and thus recommends possible ways in improving the current practice of hibah trust in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts a thorough and critical review on relevant literature on Islamic wealth management and estate distribution. Besides, the current practice and application of hibah trust by the Malaysian trustee companies such as Amanah Raya Berhad and As-Salihin Trustee Berhad is analyzed based on information gathered from their publications and direct consultation. Findings Based on the comparison made between hibah trust and its conventional counterpart, living trust, this study found that that the hibah trust product mirrors the conventional living trust, which provides a high degree of freedom to the benefactor to decide on the distribution of his wealth without taking into consideration the interest of the eligible heirs under farai’d. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that the practice of hibah trust would be able to expedite the lengthy and complex procedures of inheritance, reduce administrative costs and avoid legal impediments and inheritance tax. Practical implications This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for an improved asset distribution under hibah trust within the Malaysian Islamic wealth management industry by highlighting the significance of fara’id and wasiyyah rules. This proposed framework of hibah trust would become a useful reference for the policy makers in designing a dedicated regulation or legal provisions in the established laws that will govern the practice of hibah trust in Malaysia. Originality/value The novelty of this paper lies in highlighting the importance of adhering to the law of Islamic inheritance rules as ordained by Allah s.w.t in structuring contemporary Islamic estate planning instruments such as hibah trust, which is not evident in the current practice.

PurposeThis study uses the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) econometric approach to investigate empirically the effects of cryptocurrencies, the gold standard and traditional fiat money on global income inequality measured based on the Gini coefficient, and various ratios of income inequality distribution such as top 1 per cent, top 10 per cent, top 40 per cent and top 50 per cent.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the ARDL econometric approach.FindingsThe findings indicated that cryptocurrency and gold standard monetary systems contributed significantly to reducing global inequality of income and wealth distribution. Conversely, the traditional fiat money system contributes positively to global income and wealth inequality while also contributing significantly to their fluctuation.Practical implicationsThis suggests that the fiat monetary system results in the coercive redistribution of income and wealth if governments pursue a social welfare policy. They must resolve this conflict between the current fiat monetary system and social policy by opting for an alternative monetary system such as cryptocurrency or gold standard. These alternative monetary systems offer the promise of resolving the income and wealth inequality associated with the traditional monetary system which are accompanied with the channels of inflation, lack of financial inclusion and debt creation, and to offer a more sustainable financial system.Originality/valueThe study recommends that monetary policy must be revisited to account for its direct effect on income and wealth redistribution to achieve social welfare goals.