It is undeniable that the finance sector is one of the most important industries that impact many aspects of our lives. Technology and the ever-increasing digitalization have been key catalysts in the growth and acceleration of this sector, which occupies an ever-growing place in our daily lives. Products and/or services developed using technology to address consumer needs that traditional financial instruments fail to meet can be defined as fintech solutions.

Fintech is short for "financial technology," and refers to the application of innovative technologies to improve financial services. According to the fintech glossary prepared by the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Finance Office (2023), the term is defined as an organization or product that delivers financial services using innovative, complementary, and accelerating business models and digital technologies. Fintech encompasses a broad range of domains, including mobile banking, online payments, peer-to-peer lending, blockchain, and open banking. Fintech solutions aim to make financial services faster, more efficient, and more accessible by leveraging advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data. From replacing cash transactions with digital wallets to offering automated investment platforms, fintech democratizes access to financial services by transforming the financial sector by introducing new tools for individuals and businesses.

Fintech solutions aim to make financial services more accessible, cost-effective, and tailored to individual needs through reshaping everything from banking to investment and insurance. While the impact of advancements in fintech is most intensely observed in the financial sector, these developments have also brought about some demographic demands. Fintech solutions, which vary depending on factors such as gender, education, and technological adaptation, have also successfully addressed religious sensitivities.

The fintech industry has made efforts to address the demand for financial services that are aligned with the ethical and religious principles of Islam. Islamic fintech combines the technological advancements of fintech with the ethical and moral foundations of Islamic finance. As a model based on the ethical values derived from sharia (Islamic law), it appeals to a global demographic that values ethical finance and is among the fastest-growing sectors within fintech. Islamic finance's principles, such as the prohibition of interest (riba), excessive uncertainty (gharar), and speculation or gambling (maisir), set it apart from conventional finance. Islamic fintech, which leads in metrics such as user base, transaction volume, and growth potential, possesses several defining characteristics:

1. Compliance with Sharia Principles: Every service or product in Islamic fintech must adhere to sharia principles to ensure alignment with Islamic values. This typically involves consulting with Islamic scholars or a sharia board that reviews and approves financial practices and products.
2. Avoidance of Interest and Speculation: Due to the prohibition of riba in Islamic finance, Islamic fintech products focus on transactions secured by tangible assets rather than interest-based financing or speculative investments.
3. Profit and Loss Sharing Models: Conventional finance often relies on interest-based loans. However, Islamic fintech employs models such as musharakah (partnership) and mudarabah (profit-sharing). These models promote equitable risk-sharing and align with the ethical principles of Islamic finance.

Islamic Fintech Products

Islamic fintech solutions offer ethical and sharia-compliant products and services across various domains, including digital banking, insurance, crowdfunding, blockchain, and investment. These products and services are as follows: 

• Digital Banking

Islamic banks provide digital banking services that enable users to manage accounts, make transfers, and process payments without elements that conflict with Sharia principles, such as interest. Albaraka Türk Participation Bank in Türkiye aims to deliver digital banking solutions and user-friendly banking experiences through its Insha fintech service, which was previously introduced in Germany.

• Insurance (Takaful)

Islamic insurance, known as takaful, operates on a cooperative model where participants contribute to a shared pool rather than paying premiums to a commercial insurer. Digital platforms like Takaful Emarat and Salama Insurance have simplified access to takaful and the process of joining and managing.

• Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding platforms, including equity and debt-based models, provide alternative investment and financing solutions focused on profit and loss sharing in compliance with Sharia principles. Platforms like Ethis in Malaysia enable peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, allowing investors to support projects through sharia-compliant investments. These platforms typically focus on tangible assets, such as real estate or SMEs, to minimize speculation and risk.

• Blockchain and Smart Contracts

Blockchain technology offers elements that enhance transparency and democratize processes. Smart contracts, one of the technologies aligned with Islamic finance principles, can facilitate musharakah-based partnerships by automating profit and loss distribution. Given the importance of transparency in Islamic finance principles, the immutable record feature of blockchain can be said to provide trust in managing investments and transactions.

• Wealth Management and Robo-Advisory

Robo-advisors in wealth management create diversified portfolios that avoid prohibited sectors such as alcohol, gambling, and tobacco. In this field, where technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning play a significant role, sharia-compliant robo-advisors like Wahed Invest offer wealth management services aligned with Islamic principles, providing access to portfolios screened according to Islamic finance criteria.

Examples of Islamic Fintech Companies

Islamic fintech companies offer a diverse range of products and services across different regions and sectors. Examples of such companies include IFIN, Hijra, LaunchGood, and Tabby:

1. IFIN (Islamic Finance Initiation Network): A digital platform that provides infrastructure for banks to offer sharia-compliant products such as auto financing, mortgages, and personal financing. The company's solutions, which combine digital technologies that shorten transaction times with Islamic financial instruments such as murabaha, musharakah, and sukuk, are widely used in regions like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
2. Hijra: The company, which operates in various fields such as digital banking applications, peer-to-peer lending, and business development and was previously known as Alami Group before adopting the name Hijra, has experienced rapid growth in its home country of Indonesia. The company, which aimed to facilitate SMEs' access to financing in its early stages, later expanded its activities in different business lines in accordance with Islamic criteria. 
3. LaunchGood: This company is a donation-based crowdfunding platform established to facilitate the financing of high-impact social projects and initiatives that can drive societal change. The platform bridges those who wish to support projects in achieving their goals and project owners operating in compliance with Islamic finance principles.
4. Tabby: The company aims to provide consumers with flexibility in their shopping experiences by implementing Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solutions, which have been proliferating in recent years in the Middle East region. The company, offering strong partnerships, innovative solutions, and flexible payment plans, also conducts activities to enhance users' financial awareness. 

Developing Areas and Expectations

Islamic financial technologies offer an innovative alternative to traditional financial systems, presenting attractive opportunities, particularly for young populations and entrepreneurs. Accelerated by digitalization, developments in this field are expected to become an integral part of the global financial system. As these processes unfold, closely following emerging areas and trends in Islamic fintech is essential. While Islamic fintech inherently has the potential to influence many areas, certain aspects that are believed to attract more attention are outlined below.

• Global Growth and Accessibility

Islamic fintech is expanding not only in Muslim-majority countries but also in nations with significant Muslim communities, such as the United Kingdom and Canada. Access to regions across the globe, referred to as a global village, is becoming increasingly easier. Islamic fintechs will also benefit from this development with the solutions they offer.

• Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence

Islamic fintechs that integrate these two groundbreaking technologies, which are the most significant technological advancements of recent times, into their solutions will gain a competitive edge.

• Digital Currencies and Central Bank Digital Currencies

Although efforts to establish an Islamic Central Bank have been attempted in our country, they have yet to materialize. There is a need for solutions that prioritize Islamic principles in the field of digital currencies emerging with technological advancements, as well as in both centralized and decentralized finance, which is known as DeFi. These needs also encompass significant opportunities within them. 

Conclusion

The concept of Islamic fintech bridges the principles of Islamic finance and modern financial needs. Providing fair, compliant, and innovative financial services, these solutions are becoming increasingly integral to the lives of Muslims and those who value ethical finance. Despite challenges, the future of the Islamic fintech sector holds promising opportunities in various domains. By aligning Islamic finance with technological innovations, Islamic fintechs have the potential to redefine financial inclusivity and make finance globally accessible and equitable.

***

References

Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Finance Office. (2023). Fintech glossary. https://www.cbfo.gov.tr/en/fintech-glossary

Editor’s Note: For more information on the topic, you can review the reports, Türkiye'de İslam İktisadı ve Finansı Ekosistem Raporu 2023 andİslami Fintek: Yenilikçi Finans Çözümleri by the Islamic Economics Research Center (İKAM).