TURKIYE: Goldframer, a new player in the Islamic fintech sector based in Istanbul, Turkiye, launched a fractional art investment platform on the 28th August 2024. The platform allows investors to purchase fractional shares in valuable Islamic artwork, thereby making investment-grade Islamic art more accessible while opening up a traditionally exclusive market to a broader range of art investors.
Dr Melih Turan, the co-founder and CEO of Goldframer said, “Our mission with Goldframer is to bridge the gap between the traditional art world and modern art investors. Despite the high demand for Islamic art, it often trades below its true value. We aim to change that. We are tapping into a substantial global market, including 100 million Islamic finance investors. With a focus on regions like MENA, Southeast Asia and significant markets in western countries, Goldframer targets a global audience interested in ethical and culturally significant investments.”
The platform’s model enables multiple collectors to purchase fractional shares in valuable Islamic artwork, democratizing the Islamic art investment world. Goldframer’s collection features a variety of Islamic artworks, including Hüsn-i Hat (Islamic calligraphy), Miniature, Tazhib (illumination), Ebru and Islamic World paintings.
This approach lowers the financial barrier of art ownership, making it feasible for more investors to participate. Additionally, the platform provides educational resources to help investors understand the art market, evaluate artworks and make informed investment decisions. To enhance engagement, Goldframer utilizes social media channels sharing visual and written content about Islamic art, including information about chosen artworks, artists and their histories.
The platform also employs blockchain technology to ensure transparency, security and immutability in all transactions and each artwork is recorded on the blockchain. The artworks are curated by a team of experienced art professionals, ensuring that only pieces with significant cultural, historical and financial value are included. Goldframer’s investment offerings are designed to align with Islamic principles, providing a Halal investment method.
Goldframer aims to address the market gap for high-value, Halal and accessible art investments, targeting a new generation of investors, art enthusiasts and collectors seeking to diversify their portfolios with tangible assets. In addition to its investment platform, Goldframer curates original written and visual media on Islamic art through channels such as social media and blogs, bringing lesser-known ancient Islamic art forms to contemporary audiences while preserving the cultural heritage.
This focus on fractional ownership is a growing trend across various sectors. For instance, Stake, a Dubai-based platform specializing in fractional property investments, received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) last month, to operate an Islamic window. Launched in 2021, Stake enables investors to engage in the real estate market with fractional shares starting from AED500 (US$136.11), making property investment more accessible through smaller investment amounts.
Similarly, in April 2024, INABLR, a wealthtech firm, entered the Bahraini asset management and capital market sectors with its fractional Sukuk investment platform, following its recent graduation from the Central Bank of Bahrain’s regulatory sandbox.
In the same month, Kapital DX launched its inaugural tokenized offering of an Islamic product in Malaysia. This new multi-asset fundraising platform introduces fractional ownership of assets through blockchain technology, making Shariah compliant investments more accessible and manageable.
