IFN Investor Funds Database recorded 2,646 public Islamic funds managed by 502 asset management firms, with a combined total of US$718.09 billion in AuM as at the 26th January 2026.
Looking at prospects for 2026, while it is anticipated to be “business as usual” for the most part, Shariah investors are already identifying and acting on what they perceive would be a need for fresh caution on the global front.
Blockchain and other opportunities
Islamic alternative ‘campaigns’ from EdificeX feature a Shariah compliant blockchain tool that bypasses rigid, paperwork-heavy banking systems – to transform potential homebuyers into realty brokers.
The New York Stock Exchange, which features some of the most active Shariah compliant counters that are constituents of many Islamic indices and fund portfolios, is developing a 24/7 platform for trading and on-chain settlement of tokenized securities.
UAE’s Tharwa integrated its Shariah compliant stablecoin, thUSD, into Real Finance’s blockchain – fully collateralized by a diversified portfolio of real-world assets, namely Sukuk, gold, UAE real estate and oil.
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank is offering crypto investments and trading on its platform powered by Morpheus Technology (Fuze). Fuze also offers Shariah compliant Bitcoin offerings with ruya and has a partnership with Wio Bank.
Wahed launched two new ethically-filtered Ireland-domiciled ETFs – one tracking the S&P 500 Shariah Index and the other the Dow Jones Islamic Market International Titans 100 Index.
Pak-Qatar General Takaful sought to raise up to PKR420 million (US$1.5 million) during its IPO bookbuilding process – ahead of becoming the first dedicated General (non-life) Takaful operator to be listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Partnerships
Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners (ADCP) announced a strategic partnership with Bain Capital’s latest flagship PE fund. ADCP is a joint venture between Mubadala Capital, part of the UAE sovereign fund, Mubadala Investment Company and Alpha Wave Global.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej Training and Education Company and Bahrain’s GFH Financial Group signed a non-binding MoU to explore merging their respective education assets through a Shariah compliant structure, plus a possible IPO before the end of the decade.
Gulf Islamic Investments Group is keeping its attention on UK potentials, even as it continues expanding rapidly within Saudi Arabia.
Significant developments
National Waqf, a fundraising organization, is preparing to launch a new framework for the establishment of Waqf structures in England and Wales in February 2026.
The Arab Energy Fund, established by 10 Arab oil-exporting countries, received approval to issue onshore renminbi-denominated Panda Bonds in China. This marks a first for this fund, which typically issues Sukuk and other instruments to obtain necessary resources to finance various projects that enable energy security and sustainability and also to develop local value chains and services in the MENA region.
Aditum Group – comprising the Dubai-based Aditum Investment Management and its wholly owned subsidiary Aditum Capital, based in Riyadh – saw its total AuM surpass US$10 billion at the end of 2025. AHAM Asset Management declared a higher total income distribution for its 84 wholesale and retail funds.
Fintech Dija, established in 2024 to help bridge the gender wealth gap by empowering women into ethical and Halal investing, is being closed.
