Latest news with #ChristophKoster
Mid East Info
09-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
ruya leads the Way with New Shari'ah-Compliant Commodity Murabaha in Partnership with DDCAP Group™ - Middle East Business News and Information
ruya (رويا), the UAE's digital-first Islamic bank, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with DDCAP Group™, a global leader in Shari'ah-compliant financial solutions, to launch a next-generation Commodity Murabaha offering for its customers. Through this collaboration, ruya will leverage DDCAP's award-winning, asset-based platform, ETHOS AFP™, to structure and execute Commodity Murabaha transactions, providing customers with access to transparent, Shari'ah-compliant financing solutions. The initiative reflects ruya's mission to build a values-driven digital Islamic community bank delivering ethical and inclusive financial services. From initiation to settlement, all steps of the transaction are conducted digitally, ensuring speed, traceability and a consistent Shari'ah-compliant user experience. This initiative comes at a pivotal time as the UAE accelerates its ambition to become a global capital for Islamic finance and the broader halal economy, in line with the recently approved UAE National Strategy for the Islamic Economy and Halal Industry. The National Strategy emphasizes financial innovation, inclusivity, and the digitalization of Islamic services—principles that are at the heart of this new product offering. Christoph Koster, CEO – ruya 'At ruya, our ambition is to empower our customers through principled, accessible banking. Partnering with DDCAP enables us to bring to market a product that is not only digitally advanced and ethically grounded but also aligned with the UAE's national strategic direction for Islamic Finance.' Stella Cox CBE, FCSI(Hon), Managing Director – DDCAP Group™ 'Our partnership with ruya underlines our joint commitment to advancing Islamic banking through responsibly aligned digital transformation. By integrating ETHOS AFP™, DDCAP's Shari'ah compliant asset-facilitation platform, with ruya's digital banking architecture, our API connectivity brings a new generation of inclusive, Shari'ah compliant financial solutions to serve digital native, faith focused and values conscious customers.' This collaboration supports the UAE's broader strategic goal of becoming a global hub for Islamic finance while advancing financial inclusion and sustainable growth. ———————————————————————————————————— For more information on how to start investing in virtual assets through ruya , please visit . About ruya (رويا): Headquartered in Ajman and launched in 2024, ruya (Ruya Islamic Community Bank LLC) is a fusion of innovative technology and the enduring principles of Islamic banking, designed for individuals and businesses alike. Licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Specialised Bank, ruya delivers a seamless digital banking experience built on robust security and intuitive design. Guided by the pillars of fairness, transparency, and social responsibility, ruya is deeply rooted in the community supporting families, entrepreneurs and small businesses while fostering financial literacy and inclusion through open-door branches that serve as hubs of education and support. ruya is also proud to be Great Place to Work® Certified, a testament to its inclusive culture and employee-first values. For media inquiries: pr@ Website: Twitter/X: myruyabank Instagram: myruyabank LinkedIn: ruya Facebook: myruyabank TikTok: @myruyabank YouTube: @myruyabank Snapchat: myruyabank About DDCAP Group™ DDCAP Group™ (DDCAP) is the industry-leading market intermediary and digital solutions enabler, connecting the global Islamic financial market responsibly via its proprietary, multi award-winning platform, ETHOS AFP™ (ETHOS). Outside of its London headquarters, DDCAP's international footprint includes representative offices in Bahrain, the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. ETHOS is the market leading, multiple award-winning real-time trade and post trade services platform which provides continuous coverage and enables DDCAP clients worldwide to purchase from a responsible, diverse asset inventory via a secure, web-based portal for onward sale to their own clients and counterparties, with functionality delivering an array of benefits and efficiencies whilst mitigating trade and operational risks. DDCAP is committed to developing and supporting awareness of the business and ethical adherence for responsible finance. DDCAP's own commitment to Sustainable and Responsible Actions ('SRA') is reinforced within policy that extends across its corporate environment and infrastructure, business offerings and services and engagement with its stakeholders and other third parties internationally. For media inquiries: communications@ Website: LinkedIn: DDCAP Group™
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ruya leads the way with new Shari'ah-compliant commodity Murabaha in partnership with DDCAP Group
Ajman, UAE – ruya (رويا), the UAE's digital-first Islamic bank, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with DDCAP Group™, a global leader in Shari'ah-compliant financial solutions, to launch a next-generation Commodity Murabaha offering for its customers. Through this collaboration, ruya will leverage DDCAP's award-winning, asset-based platform, ETHOS AFP™, to structure and execute Commodity Murabaha transactions, providing customers with access to transparent, Shari'ah-compliant financing solutions. The initiative reflects ruya's mission to build a values-driven digital Islamic community bank delivering ethical and inclusive financial services. From initiation to settlement, all steps of the transaction are conducted digitally, ensuring speed, traceability and a consistent Shari'ah-compliant user experience. This initiative comes at a pivotal time as the UAE accelerates its ambition to become a global capital for Islamic finance and the broader halal economy, in line with the recently approved UAE National Strategy for the Islamic Economy and Halal Industry. The National Strategy emphasizes financial innovation, inclusivity, and the digitalization of Islamic services—principles that are at the heart of this new product offering. Christoph Koster, CEO - ruya "At ruya, our ambition is to empower our customers through principled, accessible banking. Partnering with DDCAP enables us to bring to market a product that is not only digitally advanced and ethically grounded but also aligned with the UAE's national strategic direction for Islamic Finance." Stella Cox CBE, FCSI(Hon), Managing Director - DDCAP Group™ "Our partnership with ruya underlines our joint commitment to advancing Islamic banking through responsibly aligned digital transformation. By integrating ETHOS AFP™, DDCAP's Shari'ah compliant asset-facilitation platform, with ruya's digital banking architecture, our API connectivity brings a new generation of inclusive, Shari'ah compliant financial solutions to serve digital native, faith focused and values conscious customers.' This collaboration supports the UAE's broader strategic goal of becoming a global hub for Islamic finance while advancing financial inclusion and sustainable growth. For more information on how to start investing in virtual assets through ruya, please visit About ruya (رويا): Headquartered in Ajman and launched in 2024, ruya (Ruya Islamic Community Bank LLC) is a fusion of innovative technology and the enduring principles of Islamic banking, designed for individuals and businesses alike. Licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Specialised Bank, ruya delivers a seamless digital banking experience built on robust security and intuitive design. Guided by the pillars of fairness, transparency, and social responsibility, ruya is deeply rooted in the community supporting families, entrepreneurs and small businesses while fostering financial literacy and inclusion through open-door branches that serve as hubs of education and support. ruya is also proud to be Great Place to Work® Certified, a testament to its inclusive culture and employee-first values. For media inquiries: pr@ Website: Twitter/X: myruyabank Instagram: myruyabank LinkedIn: ruya Facebook: myruyabank TikTok: @myruyabank YouTube: @myruyabank Snapchat: myruyabank About DDCAP Group™ DDCAP Group™ (DDCAP) is the industry-leading market intermediary and digital solutions enabler, connecting the global Islamic financial market responsibly via its proprietary, multi award-winning platform, ETHOS AFP™ (ETHOS). Outside of its London headquarters, DDCAP's international footprint includes representative offices in Bahrain, the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. ETHOS is the market leading, multiple award-winning real-time trade and post trade services platform which provides continuous coverage and enables DDCAP clients worldwide to purchase from a responsible, diverse asset inventory via a secure, web-based portal for onward sale to their own clients and counterparties, with functionality delivering an array of benefits and efficiencies whilst mitigating trade and operational risks. DDCAP is committed to developing and supporting awareness of the business and ethical adherence for responsible finance. DDCAP's own commitment to Sustainable and Responsible Actions ('SRA') is reinforced within policy that extends across its corporate environment and infrastructure, business offerings and services and engagement with its stakeholders and other third parties internationally. For media inquiries: communications@ Website: LinkedIn: DDCAP Group™
Fintech News ME
07-07-2025
- Business
- Fintech News ME
Ruya and Ignyte Forge Strategic Alliance to Drive UAE Startup Innovation
Ruya and Ignyte have formalised their strategic partnership, bringing together ruya's digital‑first Islamic banking expertise and Ignyte's government‑backed, all‑in‑one start-up ecosystem to accelerate innovation across the UAE. The UAE's startup scene remains the region's most active, recording 188 funding rounds in 2024—the highest in MENA and Dubai is now recognised as one of the top five cities worldwide for FinTech. Launched in early 2024 and licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, ruya has quickly redefined banking with a fully Shari'ah‑compliant digital platform and community centres that blend cutting‑edge technology with a commitment to fairness, transparency and social responsibility. By eliminating hidden fees, minimum‑balance requirements and lengthy onboarding, ruya ensures that entrepreneurs—from fintech start-ups and SME founders to freelancers and family businesses—can access the financial tools they need without friction. Ignyte, launched under Dubai's Digital Economy Strategy by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in October 2024, has grown into the Emirates' premier ecosystem for founders, connecting more than 2,500 start-ups with mentors, investors and over 250 exclusive perks designed to drive growth and global expansion. This partnership will see ruya championing that ecosystem through co‑hosted events, mentorship programmes and a branded presence across Ignyte's channels, embedding ethical Islamic finance at the heart of Dubai's entrepreneurial journey. 'For founders navigating a fast‑evolving market, the fusion of digital agility and principled banking is game‑changing,' said Christoph Koster, CEO of ruya. 'Our alliance with Ignyte means that ethical financing and community support go hand‑in‑hand, empowering the UAE's next generation of innovators to scale with confidence'. 'By partnering with ruya, we are ensuring that our founders achieve success with integrity and community support. This collaboration equips entrepreneurs with the resources to innovate while promoting a culture of sustainable growth. Together, we aim to establish a strong foundation for the UAE's rapidly growing start-up scene, driving both local and global success.' said Mohammad Alblooshi Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Innovation Hub. Looking ahead, this strategic collaboration will not only enhance access to capital and expertise but also reinforce the UAE's vision to double its digital economy to AED 280 billion by 2031. By weaving together, the strengths of ruya's community‑focused Islamic banking model and Ignyte's dynamic startup platform, the partnership exemplifies how public‑private synergy can fuel sustainable growth and position the Emirates as a global leader in fintech and entrepreneurship.
Campaign ME
30-06-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Ruya rolls out AI brand film to promote business banking offering
Ruya, the UAE's first digital Islamic community bank, has launched a new brand film titled You've Got Better Things to Do as part of a wider campaign focused on its business banking proposition. Created in partnership with Acorn Strategy, the film uses generative AI throughout its production process to reflect the bank's emphasis on modern, tech-enabled solutions. Targeting entrepreneurs, SMEs and freelancers, the campaign aims to communicate ruya's core message: that banking should be simple, efficient and aligned with the pace of today's business needs. The film showcases everyday business owners managing their operations, with a narrative that positions ruya as a time-saving alternative to traditional banking systems. In line with this positioning, the production took a deliberately unconventional route. The team used AI tools such as ChatGPT for script enhancement, Eleven Labs for voiceover generation, and platforms including Runway, Mystic 2.5 and Topaz for visual creation. While all imagery was AI-generated, the creative concept and editing were led by human teams. 'This film represents an innovative step forward for the Islamic banking sector,' said Christoph Koster, CEO of ruya. 'As a digital-first Islamic bank, we believe technology should simplify life, not complicate it. Embracing AI in our marketing is a natural extension of our forward-thinking ethos, as it reflects how we operate as a brand and how we believe banking should evolve: simple, smart, and aligned with the pace of today's world.' According to ruya, the campaign forms part of a larger communications strategy aimed at reaching business customers through digital channels. Early performance figures show over 432,000 views on YouTube and more than 1.2 million on Meta platforms. The campaign also reinforces ruya's positioning within the Islamic finance landscape, offering digital-first services built on transparency, fairness and ethical banking principles. You've Got Better Things to Do is currently live across ruya's digital and social platforms.
Mid East Info
24-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
ruya announces strategic partnership with Ignyte to empower the UAE's Start-up ecosystem - Middle East Business News and Information
Ajman, UAE – 24 June, 2025 : At the Dubai AI Festival this April, ruya and Ignyte have formalized their strategic partnership, bringing together ruya's digital-first Islamic banking expertise and Ignyte's government-backed, all-in-one start-up ecosystem to accelerate innovation across the UAE. The UAE's start-up scene remains the region's most active, recording 188 funding rounds in 2024—the highest in MENA and Dubai is now recognised as one of the top five cities worldwide for FinTech. Launched in early 2024 and licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, ruya has quickly redefined banking with a fully Shari'ah-compliant digital platform and community centres that blend cutting-edge technology with a commitment to fairness, transparency and social responsibility. By eliminating hidden fees, minimum-balance requirements and lengthy onboarding, ruya ensures that entrepreneurs—from fintech start-ups and SME founders to freelancers and family businesses—can access the financial tools they need without friction. Ignyte, launched under Dubai's Digital Economy Strategy by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in October 2024, has grown into the Emirates' premier ecosystem for founders, connecting more than 2,500 start-ups with mentors, investors and over 250 exclusive perks designed to drive growth and global expansion. This partnership will see ruya championing that ecosystem through co-hosted events, mentorship programmes and a branded presence across Ignyte's channels, embedding ethical Islamic finance at the heart of Dubai's entrepreneurial journey. 'For founders navigating a fast-evolving market, the fusion of digital agility and principled banking is game-changing,' said Christoph Koster, CEO of ruya. 'Our alliance with Ignyte means that ethical financing and community support go hand-in-hand, empowering the UAE's next generation of innovators to scale with confidence'. 'By partnering with ruya, we are ensuring that our founders achieve success with integrity and community support. This collaboration equips entrepreneurs with the resources to innovate while promoting a culture of sustainable growth. Together, we aim to establish a strong foundation for the UAE's rapidly growing start-up scene, driving both local and global success.' said Mohammad Alblooshi Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Innovation Hub. Looking ahead, this strategic collaboration will not only enhance access to capital and expertise but also reinforce the UAE's vision to double its digital economy to AED 280 billion by 2031. By weaving together, the strengths of ruya's community-focused Islamic banking model and Ignyte's dynamic startup platform, the partnership exemplifies how public-private synergy can fuel sustainable growth and position the Emirates as a global leader in fintech and entrepreneurship. For more information on how to start investing in virtual assets through ruya , please visit . About ruya (رويا): Headquartered in Ajman and launched in 2024, ruya (Ruya Islamic Community Bank LLC) is a fusion of innovative technology and the enduring principles of Islamic banking, designed for individuals and businesses alike. Licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Specialised Bank, ruya delivers a seamless digital banking experience built on robust security and intuitive design. Guided by the pillars of fairness, transparency, and social responsibility, ruya is deeply rooted in the community supporting families, entrepreneurs and small businesses while fostering financial literacy and inclusion through open-door branches that serve as hubs of education and support. For media inquiries: pr@ Website: Twitter/X: myruyabank Instagram: myruyabank LinkedIn: ruya Facebook: myruyabank TikTok: @myruyabank YouTube: @myruyabank Snapchat: myruyabank About Ignyte: Ignyte is part of the Dubai Digital Economy Strategy under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It is a leading global start-up ecosystem that empowers founders. As a digital hub for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship, it provides access to world-class mentors, investors, and over 250 exclusive perks and resources from leading corporates and industry partners. Ignyte aims to transform the start-up landscape and position the region as a global centre for innovation and business acceleration. It bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and opportunities by fostering collaborations, offering tailored programmes, and facilitating access to capital. Ignyte's mission is to empower 100,000 start-ups, connect over 5,000 investors, and unite 5,000 industry-leading mentors. Key initiatives include streamlining business setup, supporting future founders, and accelerating corporate innovation. For more details, visit For media inquiries: jean@ Website: Twitter/X: Ignyte_AE Instagram: @ LinkedIn: Facebook: @ YouTube: @Ignyte-ae
