Halal Binary Options
Whether binary options are Halal or Haram is open to interpretation, however trading platforms are increasingly offering accounts that aim to comply with Islamic finance principles. This guide weighs both sides of the debate and evaluates the binary options brokers marketing Halal accounts.
This article is not a source of religious advice. Speak to a local religious leader for further guidance.
Best Halal Binary Options Brokers
Our tests show these are the top 6 brokers with Halal binary options accounts:
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- AZAforex - AZAforex offers binary options trading with time-dependent payouts that can be taken out from 30 seconds to 1 day. Over 50 binary options are available with a $1 minimum stake and payouts up to 90%.
- Dukascopy - Dukascopy offers binary options on currency pairs, stocks and indices, alongside powerful trading tools and market insights. User gets flexible contract sizes and deposits are protected by EU law, though the $1000 starting investment is higher than alternatives.
- World Forex - World Forex offers binary options where you simply decide the stake, price direction and contract timeframe. The payouts are high at up to 100% on American contracts and 85% on European, which also offers a partial refund to traders who close contracts before expiry.
- Deriv - Deriv.com offers premium binary options on traditional and emerging financial markets with payouts up to 50,000 USD. Binaries are available 24/7, 365 days a year with around the clock customer support and one of the slickest trading platforms we've used.
- IQ Option - IQ Option is a top-rated binary options and digital trading broker. Trade on a user-friendly platform with a low starting deposit. Simply decide whether the price of an asset will go up or down to win a predetermined payout up to 90%+.
- Olymp Trade - Olymp Trade offers fixed time trades (FTT) on a diverse but modest range of markets, from OTC currencies to composite indices. FTT commissions are charged between 5%-10% and you can trade with ultra-short time frames from 5 seconds. Payouts are available up to 93% for those who can afford the $2000 'Expert' status deposit.
Halal Binary Options Comparison
| Broker | Islamic Account | Markets | Regulator | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZAforex | ✔ | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Binary Options | GLOFSA | $1 |
| Dukascopy | ✔ | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds, Binary Options | FINMA, JFSA, FCMC | $100 |
| World Forex | ✔ | Forex, CFD Stocks, Metals, Energies, Cryptos, Digital Contracts | SVGFSA | $1 |
| Deriv | ✔ | CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs | MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA | $5 |
| IQ Option | ✔ | CFD, Forex, Crypto, Stocks, Digital Options | - | $10 |
| Olymp Trade | ✔ | Forex, CFD, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs, OTC, Fixed Time Trades | VFSC | $10 |
AZAforex
"AZAforex is best suited to active traders looking to make all-or-nothing bets on global markets through binary options and those looking for high leverage up to 1:1000 in return for weak regulatory safeguards."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
AZAforex Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 25% Crypto Deposit Bonus, 120% Loyalty Bonus, 30% Spread Rebate |
|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Payout % | 90 |
| Expiry Times | 30 seconds - 1 day |
| Copy Trading | No |
| Platforms | Mobius Trader 7 |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Binary Options |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, MYR, IDR, CHF, RUB, THB, VND, UAH, CNY |
Pros
- Few brokers offer binary options as part of their portfolio. Still, AZAforex includes them, allowing you to speculate on short-term price movements with fixed risk and reward up to 90%.
- AZAforex supports a huge and growing variety of payment methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies, providing flexibility for funding and withdrawals. This variety accommodates traders from different regions and preferences.
- AZAforex provides high leverage of up to 1:1000, allowing for potentially greater returns with smaller capital. While this comes with increased risk, it's an attractive feature if you are an experienced trader looking for aggressive growth strategies.
Cons
- AZAforex offers basic trading guides and a blog but lacks robust educational tools such as video tutorials, webinars, or interactive learning resources. This makes it less appealing for beginners who need comprehensive learning support. A lot of the content is outdated, too.
- While functional during testing, the Mobius Trader 7 platform is proprietary and not widely used by other brokers. This creates risks of potential price manipulation or discrepancies in market data, as there's no external verification like with MetaTrader or cTrader.
- AZAforex still operates without regulation from a recognized financial authority, which raises concerns about transparency, fund safety, and accountability. You may have no recourse in disputes, making it riskier than regulated brokers.
Dukascopy
"If you’re an experienced trader, Dukascopy provides the tools you need: JForex for algorithmic strategies, competitive spreads from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200, and the peace of mind of using a Swiss-regulated bank and broker."
Dukascopy Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 10% Equity Bonus |
|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Payout % | 90% |
| Expiry Times | 3 minutes - 1 day |
| Copy Trading | No |
| Platforms | JForex, MT4, MT5 |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds, Binary Options |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, MXN |
Pros
- Dukascopy offers tight spreads starting from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200 (depending on the jurisdiction), and volume-based commissions that reward high-frequency traders.
- Dukascopy is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as both a broker and a bank, ensuring top-tier financial security and adherence to strict standards.
- Dukascopy features some of the best research we’ve seen, even a professional TV studio in Geneva covering financial news, market analysis, and daily insights from professionals.
Cons
- Dukascopy's withdrawal fees are higher than most competitors we’ve tested, particularly for bank wire transfers, which may deter traders who require frequent access to their funds.
- While Dukascopy provides some educational resources and 24/7 support, the complexity of its platforms and tools required extensive testing and may overwhelm newer traders.
- While JForex is feature-rich, it has a steep learning curve, making it less suitable for beginner traders who might prefer simpler platforms.
World Forex
"World Forex provides both highly leveraged CFDs and digital contracts, making this a good broker for clients who want flexible and rewarding ways to trade. The copy trading service will also appeal to newer traders."
World Forex Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 100% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Payout % | 100% |
| Expiry Times | 1 minute - 7 days |
| Copy Trading | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Instruments | Forex, CFD Stocks, Metals, Energies, Cryptos, Digital Contracts |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, RUB |
Pros
- Copy trading solution
- Several different account types with varied pricing structures
- Demo account
Cons
- No negative balance protection
- Weak regulation
- Withdrawal fees apply
Deriv
"Deriv is ideal for active traders seeking alternative and unique ways to speculate on global financial markets, from multipliers and accumulator options to its bespoke synthetic indices, which mimic real market movements and are available 24/7, allowing for continuous trading opportunities regardless of market hours."
Deriv Quick Facts
| Minimum Deposit | $5 |
|---|---|
| Payout % | 100% |
| Expiry Times | 15 seconds to 365 days |
| Copy Trading | Yes |
| Platforms | Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Instruments | CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- Deriv stands out with its innovative products, from multipliers and derived indices to its addition of accumulator options, providing exclusive short-term trading opportunities.
- After integrating TradingView and adding MT5 web trader, Deriv now offers a first-class selection of charting tools across desktop, web and mobile devices.
- Account funding is a breeze with a very low minimum deposit of $5 and a huge selection of payment options, plus Tether was added to the cashier in 2023.
Cons
- Leverage up to 1:1000 will appeal to traders with a large risk appetite but frustratingly there is no ability to flex the leverage in the account area.
- Although there’s a basic blog, there's little in terms of technical analysis or market reports which could help active traders identify potential opportunities.
- Apart from the MFSA in the EU, Deriv lacks top-tier regulatory credentials, reducing the level of safeguards like access to investor compensation.
IQ Option
"IQ Option is a good broker for beginners with a slick platform and low minimum investment. New users can also open an account in three easy steps."
IQ Option Quick Facts
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
|---|---|
| Payout % | 91% |
| Copy Trading | No |
| Platforms | Own |
| Instruments | CFD, Forex, Crypto, Stocks, Digital Options |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR |
Pros
- Excellent range of payment methods
- iOS & Android compatible app
- High payouts on binary options
Cons
- €10 inactivity fee after 90 days
- No MetaTrader 4 integration
Olymp Trade
"Olymptrade remains a good choice for beginners looking for a user-friendly bespoke platform and mobile app, plus 24/7 customer support. The $10 minimum deposit makes it easy to get started, however, the range of additional day trading tools trails competitors."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Olymp Trade Quick Facts
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
|---|---|
| Payout % | 93% |
| Expiry Times | 5 seconds - 23 hours |
| Copy Trading | No |
| Platforms | Olymptrade Platform |
| Instruments | Forex, CFD, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs, OTC, Fixed Time Trades |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- Diverse range of day trading markets including commodities, cryptos and composite indices
- Beginner-friendly blog section with analytics, trading education and market news
- Minimum deposit and withdrawals of only $10, ideal for newer traders
Cons
- The best conditions are available only to those who can deposit at least $500
- Very limited range of charting tools and indicators on the platform
- Research and education trails most alternatives
Are Binary Options Compatible With Islam?
These are the three core arguments on each side of the debate:
Haram
- Interest: Binary options trades that charge or award any form of interest on overnight positions are potentially forbidden in line with Riba.
- Gambling: Binary options trading, especially if no strategy is used, is arguably online betting, which is prohibited in line with Maisir.
- Uncertainty: Binary options are primarily used to speculate on unpredictable short-term market fluctuations, while their ‘all-or-nothing’ nature makes them inherently risky and potentially prohibited in line with Gharar.
Halal
- Approach: Binary options traders that have a clear strategy, for example, using technical analysis to discover opportunities, may approach the activity as investing rather than gambling.
- Islamic account: Tailored binary options accounts that are designed to allow traders to avoid earning or being charged interest, may not fall foul of Riba.
- Fixed risk: Unlike other trading instruments where losses can be unlimited, binaries have a fixed risk and reward profile, potentially reducing the level of uncertainty.
Ultimately, whether binary options trading is Halal or Haram will depend on who you ask and the trader in question.
That said, this is fairly clear: wild binary trades made with no clear plan or understanding of the financial markets are likely to be considered Haram.
How Halal Binary Options Accounts Work
With online trading rising in popularity, including amongst Muslim investors, we’ve seen a growing number of brokers introduce Islamic-friendly accounts. These are essentially swap-free accounts that are designed to completely remove Riba from trading.
Halal binary options accounts should meet three criteria:
- Immediate execution of trades: Muslim teachings state that hand-to-hand exchanges should be prompt
- Immediate settlement of transaction costs: This avoids open trades being rolled over to the next day
- Zero-interest: Charging or incurring interest on trades
If a broker’s Islamic account does not meet these conditions, your binary options trading activities may not be considered Halal.
Having spent years evaluating binary options trading platforms, there are several other relevant factors to consider:
- Choice of underlying asset: Leading platforms today offer binaries on a wide range of underlying assets, from stocks and indices to commodities and cryptocurrencies. However, keep in mind that some consider it inappropriate to trade binaries in stocks relating to forbidden industries, for example, producers of alcohol, tobacco, weapons and adult entertainment.
- Interest on unused cash: We’re observing a growing number of brokers paying interest on unused trading balances. These should be avoided, as this practice is forbidden in Shariah Law.
- Security of funds: Binary options scams have plagued the industry in recent years, stealing traders’ deposits or unfairly manipulating trading conditions in their favour. One high-profile Europol case from 2021 involved a cross-border investigation into the theft of at least €15 million from victims of fake binary options websites operating out of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Ukraine. This highlights the importance of treating all binary brokers with caution, no matter how professional they appear.
Bottom Line
The issue of whether binary options trading is Halal or Haram will continue to be debated by scholars.
However, some feel that by trading binary options strategically, Muslims can avoid gambling. Also, several brokers now market halal binary options accounts to help traders stay within Shariah Law.
Ultimately, DayTrading.com is not a religious authority so we cannot say with certainty whether binary options trading is Halal or Haram. This will depend on your interpretation and individual approach to trading.
That’s also why we recommend consulting a local religious leader and reading the materials below.
Article Sources
- Islamic Finance - Corporate Finance Institute
- Interest (riba) - Islamic Relief
- Binary Options - IslamQA
- Binary Options Islamic Accounts - Islam Stack Exchange
- Binary Options Scam - Europol
The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com