Crypto Transactions Halal Or Haram? Yenny Wahid Gathers Kiai And Ulama To Discuss It

Jenny Wahid. (Intermediate Doc)

JAKARTA - A number of kiai and clerics plan to comprehensively discuss the halal and haram status of crypto transactions in the bahtsul masail forum organized by the Islamic Law Firm (ILF) in collaboration with Yenny Wahid from the Wahid Foundation at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, Saturday, June 19.

ILF founder Zannuba Ariffah Chafsoh or familiarly called Yenny Wahid said that the discussion forum was expected to provide enlightenment to the wider public regarding the intricacies of crypto and Islamic legal views.

"This forum will also provide recommendations to policy makers regarding the regulation of crypto transactions," Yenny said as quoted from a press release in Jakarta, Friday, June 18.

The Bahtsul masail, which will be held offline and online, will involve kiai and scholars, including KH Afifuddin Muhadjir, KH Abdul Ghafur Maimoen, Dr. KH. Abdul Moqsith Ghazali, Habib Ali Bahar, Lc. MA, Dr. KH. Ashar Kholil.

Other informants were Indrasari Wisnu Wardhana (Head of the Commodity Futures Trading Supervisory Agency/CoFTRA), Oscar Darmawan (Co-Founder and CEO of Indodax), Jeth Soetoyo (Founder and CEO of PT Pintu Kemana Saja), and Pandu Patria Sjahrir (Indonesian Stock Exchange).

According to Yenny, although it has only been recognized as a commodity and not a medium of exchange, crypto currency transactions in Indonesia are increasingly being accepted by the public as a business and investment opportunity.

However, in the context of Indonesia as a country with the largest Muslim majority population in the world, it is important to discuss the halal status and prohibition of crypto transactions.

A number of opinions and personal views have emerged regarding this crypto transaction. Some view that using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as an investment is illegal because it is closer to gharar or speculation that is detrimental to others.

However, Yenny continued, some others are of the view that Bitcoin or crypto is lawful as far as it is a medium of exchange for those who are willing to use it voluntarily. Other personal views are scattered with various religious arguments and arguments.

"Therefore, we need a forum that discusses in detail the crypto phenomenon and its transactions from an Islamic point of view by experts in charge of it," said Yenny Wahid, daughter of the Fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) as reported by Antara.