Emirates Islamic launches UAE’s first Sharia-compliant digital investment in gold and silver
Emirates Islamic launches first Sharia-compliant digital gold and silver investment on EI+ app, offering mobile trading, safe storage and delivery options.
Emirates Islamic has introduced a new digital investment in gold and silver that is fully compliant with Sharia principles and integrated into its EI+ mobile banking app. The offering allows customers to buy and sell approved gold and silver bars through the bank’s Thurawat wealth platform, making digital investment in gold and silver accessible via smartphone. The move positions Emirates Islamic as the first Islamic bank in the UAE to provide a dedicated mobile channel for physical precious-metals exposure within a Sharia‑compliant framework.
Product rollout and in‑app integration
Emirates Islamic has embedded the precious‑metals solution directly into its EI+ mobile banking environment to simplify access for retail customers. Users can open, monitor and manage holdings through the Thurawat section of the app without visiting a branch. The in‑app experience is designed to combine digital convenience with the compliance and documentation required for Sharia‑aligned investments.
Trading mechanics and investor flexibility
The platform permits investors to start with a low minimum investment and to scale holdings over time, reflecting a retail‑focused approach to bullion ownership. Investors can opt for partial or full cash redemptions, or request physical delivery of bars, providing liquidity options regardless of market volatility. These features aim to give savers and wealth holders practical tools to diversify portfolios with tangible assets.
Standards, brands and secure custody
Emirates Islamic says the gold bars meet established industry delivery standards, including London bullion market and Dubai Good Delivery benchmarks, and are sourced from recognised refiners. Available brands include names such as PAMP and Valcambi alongside bank‑issued options, while silver holdings conform to UAE Good Delivery specifications. All metals are held in high‑security vaults to protect physical ownership and meet institutional custody norms.
Bank executives highlight strategic aims
Senior executives framed the launch as part of a broader digital and wealth‑management strategy aimed at deepening customer relationships. Emirates Islamic’s leadership described the solution as a practical, Sharia‑aligned route for clients to preserve and grow value amid changing economic conditions. They emphasised the bank’s commitment to combining regulatory compliance, technological convenience and product transparency.
Role of gold and silver in investor portfolios
Market practitioners often view precious metals as traditional hedges against inflation and currency risk, and the new digital channel targets investors seeking such protection within a compliant framework. By enabling fractional and physical ownership, the product seeks to bridge the gap between paper‑based exposure and direct bullion ownership. The bank’s approach is intended to make allocation decisions simpler for individual savers and those managing family or personal wealth.
Emirates Islamic’s digital investment in gold and silver will be available to the bank’s retail customers through the EI+ mobile app, supported by custody arrangements and recognised delivery standards. The launch underscores a wider trend among regional banks to offer digitally native, Sharia‑compliant wealth options that combine physical asset exposure with mobile convenience.
