eToro Islamic Account

Written by Wikitoro Team

Reviewed by Nick Zelver

Your Starting Point

If you're here, it's likely because you're seeking a trading platform that aligns with your religious beliefs and checking out what eToro has in store for you. As an registered trader who has personally navigated the features of an Islamic account, I've crafted this guide to share my experiences and insights. My aim is to present this information in a straightforward and user-friendly manner, helping you understand how eToro caters to Islamic trading principles.

What is an Islamic Account on eToro?

An Islamic trading account on eToro is distinctively different from standard trading accounts. In adherence to Sharia law, which strictly prohibits the accumulation of interest, or "Riba," this account type ensures that no interest is paid or received in any form. It's essential for the Islamic account to be in complete alignment with the fundamental principles of Islamic law, offering a unique trading experience that respects these religious guidelines.

Financial Transactions and Activities Prohibited by Sharia Law

The creation of a separate Islamic Account for Muslim traders on eToro is necessitated by the specific financial activities that are prohibited and restricted under Sharia Law. These include:

• Loans: Any form of interest-bearing loans is forbidden.
• Margin Trading: Engaging in trades that require borrowing funds to increase potential returns is not allowed.
• Overnight Rollovers: Transactions involving interest payments for holding positions overnight are prohibited.
• Margin Deposit and Interests: Deposits that accrue interest are not in compliance with Sharia Law.
• Short and Forward Sales: These speculative transactions are considered non-compliant with Islamic principles.

No Commissions and Interest

Under this type of eToro account, you are relieved from paying fees on any trades that are left open overnight. Administrative fees apply. 

Here's the deal:

Any open trades in the currency market are automatically rolled over if they are not closed by 5:00 pm (New York time) and under a regular trading account, these open trades are bound to be charged with usurious interest which is against the Islamic law and is called "Haram".

But if you are using an Islamic account, there are no rollover or weekend charges if your position has not been closed for over 24 hours. In fact, you can even hold your positions as long as you want and it will not incur any fees.

Real-Time Execution of Trades

Here's the thing: Money that is transferred to or from a bank account (something that is similarly done with currency trading) is considered by religious law specialists as delivery or an exchange between hands.

The good news is that "fatwas" or formal rulings have been created with regards to currency trading and among the decrees issued according to the Sharia law is that transactions need to be settled immediately and the costs must also paid during this process. Such ruling of immediate buying and selling of currencies is strictly followed by eToro as trades are executed in real time without any delays.

eToro: Halal or Not?

This is the most common query among Muslim traders: Is etoro halal? The answer lies in eToro's provision of an Islamic account, which is designed to be fully compliant with Sharia law. This makes eToro a halal trading broker, as it offers a specialized account that aligns with the religious principles and financial rules of Islam.

Adherence to Sharia Law

Is eToro Sharia compliant or not? This is  another common question of Muslim traders. By offering an Islamic account that strictly follows Islamic finance principles, eToro demonstrates its commitment to Sharia compliance. This ensures that Muslim traders can engage in trading activities without compromising their religious beliefs.

Features of the eToro Islamic Account

For those curious about what are the benefits of using an eToro Islamic account, here are some key features:

• Leverage Trading: The Islamic account allows for leverage trading up to 1:30, providing significant trading flexibility.
• Spreads: Spreads on this account often start from 3 pips for EUR/USD forex pairs, offering competitive trading conditions.
• Zero-Commission Trading: One of the most appealing aspects is the zero-commission trading feature, enhancing the overall trading experience.

These features are tailored to meet the needs of Muslim traders while ensuring compliance with Islamic financial principles.

eToro Access for Traders in Muslim Countries

Trading with eToro in UAE

eToro UAE residents are welcome to open accounts. Currently, there are no restrictions for users based in these countries.

While eToro doesn't maintain physical offices in Saudi Arabia and isn't regulated by Saudi's Capital Market Authority (CMA), it has made significant strides in the UAE. eToro has obtained an approval in principle from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to operate as a cryptocurrency broker in the UAE's capital. This development paves the way for eToro's expansion into the Middle East.

Supported Muslim Countries

eToro caters to users from a range of Muslim-majority countries. Here's a list of the most populous Muslim countries where eToro's services are available:

• Bangladesh
• France
• UAE

Countries with Restricted Access

However, there are certain countries and territories with significant Muslim populations where eToro's services are currently unavailable due to regulatory changes. These include:

Fact: eToro Gets the Revenue Strictly From Spreads

A common question is how eToro generates income from its Islamic trading accounts, especially since Sharia law prohibits interest rates. The answer is straightforward: eToro's revenue comes primarily from spreads. These are based on the difference between the buy and sell prices of currency pairs. Importantly, Islamic account holders are not charged any fees for account management.

Available Financial Instruments for Islamic Accounts

So now you know that this broker offers an account that is specialized for Muslim traders. Good. But what financial instruments are available for Islamic trading on eToro? From my experience, Islamic account users have access to a wide range of instruments, including stocks, commodities, and currencies.

For example:

• Forex Trading: Forex trading can be considered halal if conducted without leverage and with immediate currency exchange. Using leverage might involve interest (riba), rendering it haram.
• Stock Trading: The permissibility of stock trading depends on the nature of the company's business. It is halal if the company operates in a Shariah-compliant manner and haram if it engages in forbidden activities like alcohol production or gambling.

The bottom line is that most assets are accessible through an Islamic account, and it's up to you to determine whether an investment aligns with Shariah law. For precise guidance, consulting Islamic scholars or experts in Islamic finance is advisable.

Proof of Religion Requirement

To access eToro's Islamic account, exclusive to Muslim clients, proof of religion is necessary. This can be obtained from a recognized religious organization in your area. This step ensures that the account aligns with the specific needs and principles of the Muslim faith.

Steps to Open an Islamic Account

So how do I open an eToro Islamic account and what are the steps involved? Here's how you do it:

1. Register for an eToro Account: Start by signing up with your chosen username, password, and email.
2. Complete Your Profile for Verification: Provide additional details and upload necessary documents like proof of ID (POI) and proof of address (POA).
3. Initial Deposit: Deposit a minimum of $1000 using any of the supported payment methods.
4. Request Islamic Account Activation: Contact eToro's customer support to request the conversion of your account to an Islamic account. Once your eligibility is confirmed, they will process your request, and you will be notified upon completion.

Conclusion: Embracing Islamic Trading with eToro

That sums up everything you need to know about eToro's Islamic account. With its features and compliance with Islamic principles, this account offers a peace of mind for Muslim traders. Regularly checking eToro's resources for updates ensures you stay informed about the latest opportunities to trade in alignment with your faith.

eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.

Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice.  The value of your investments may go up or down.  Your capital is at risk.

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eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which hasbeen prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.