Cusp Wealth Becomes First AI-Powered Platform in UAE to Receive Shariah Certification

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Cusp Wealth first AI-powered UAE platform to receive Shariah certification for investing

Cusp Wealth has received a Fatwa from Amanie Advisors' Shariah Supervisory Board, validating its AI-powered investment platform for Islamic compliance.
The DFSA-regulated platform offers access to over 1,300 Shariah-compliant stocks and ETFs screened via Zoya's API.
Investors can begin with just $25, compared to the traditional wealth management threshold of $200,000 or more.
The platform charges a 0.75% annual fee with zero trading commissions, significantly undercutting conventional private banking fees.
Cusp combines AI-driven portfolio optimisation with on-demand access to licensed human financial advisors.

Dubai-based Cusp Wealth announced on 21 January 2026 that it has become the first AI-powered wealth management and investment platform in the United Arab Emirates to receive official Shariah certification. The Fatwa was granted by the Shariah Supervisory Board of Amanie Advisors, a globally recognised authority in Islamic finance.

The certification validates three core components of Cusp's operations: the investment platform structure, the screening methodology powered by Zoya's API, and the operational governance framework ensuring ongoing compliance with Islamic principles. The platform screens over 10,000 securities, excluding companies involved in prohibited sectors such as gambling, alcohol, and conventional interest-based finance.

Democratising Access to Institutional-Grade Wealth Management

Cusp Wealth operates under a DFSA Category 4 licence (Reference Number: F011420) and is authorised to provide financial services to retail clients, including Shariah-compliant offerings. The platform launched in the UAE in January 2026, following a soft launch to early users in October 2025.

The firm's pricing structure represents a significant departure from traditional wealth management costs. Cusp charges an annual portfolio management fee of 0.75% with zero basic trading commissions, compared to fees exceeding 2% at conventional private banks. Crucially, the minimum investment stands at just $25 for personalised portfolios and $1 for fractional share ownership—a stark contrast to the $200,000 or more typically required by traditional wealth managers.

Leadership Commentary on the Milestone

Ramesh Murthy, Cusp's Senior Executive Officer with over 32 years in banking and finance, emphasised the platform's mission to challenge industry norms. He stated that professional wealth management in the region had long been a privilege reserved for the few, and that Cusp was built to redefine the WealthTech landscape in the GCC by leveraging technology to lower fees while delivering sophisticated strategies such as optimised risk-adjusted portfolios and direct indexing.

Sharafie Mohd Daud, CEO and Director of Amanie Advisors' Global Office in Dubai, commented that Cusp Wealth demonstrates how innovation, technology, and Shariah-compliant considerations can combine to create responsible, future-ready wealth platforms for all investors.

Technology Partnership and Screening Standards

The platform's Shariah screening capabilities are powered by Zoya, a data and technology provider for Islamic capital markets. Zoya's API applies the AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions) screening methodology, evaluating companies across business activities and financial ratios. Securities must meet strict thresholds: interest-bearing debt cannot exceed 30% of market capitalisation, and impure income must remain below 5% of total revenue.

Saad Malik, CEO and Co-founder of Zoya, noted that by leveraging the Zoya API, Cusp has streamlined the complexity of Shariah screening to deliver a modern investment platform aligned with Islamic principles. The partnership provides access to over 1,300 Shariah-compliant stocks and ETFs from a universe of more than 10,000 US-listed securities.

Hybrid Advisory Model and Platform Features

Cusp employs a hybrid advisory model combining AI-driven portfolio optimisation with human financial advisor access. The platform offers personalised portfolio construction, ongoing rebalancing, and risk-adjusted management through its mobile-first interface, available on both iOS and Android. Users also receive complimentary initial consultations with licensed advisors and 24/7 customer support in English and Arabic.

The certification arrives amid strong growth projections for Islamic finance in the region. According to industry analysis, the Middle East Islamic finance market is forecast to grow from $4.88 trillion in 2026 to $7.98 trillion by 2031, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.35%. Shariah-compliant digital wealth platforms have been identified as a contributing factor to this expansion.