Masterclass: Fiqh of Startups, Crypto & 21st Century Tech

// Workshop

Location: FIVE-TWO-A

Time: 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Speaker: Sheikh Joe Bradford

Abstract:

What does Shariah say about venture capital, crypto, and the digital economy redefining how wealth is created and exchanged? In this masterclass, Sheikh Joe Bradford—one of the foremost scholars of Islamic finance and economics—draws on decades of expertise to probe the fiqh (jurisprudence) of today’s most disruptive financial innovations. Participants will gain rigorous frameworks for structuring startups and investment vehicles in a halal way, discerning the ethical boundaries of emerging technologies, and confronting the critical question of how the Ummah can engage in the new economy without compromising its principles.

Speaker Biographies:

Sh. Joe Bradford — Sheikh Joe Bradford is an expert in Islamic law, business, and finance with over 15 years of experience. He is a Certified Shariah Adviser and Auditor (CSAA) and currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the International Islamic University of Malaysia with a research focus on financial injustice. He has served as VP and Senior Shariah Consultant at AlRajhi Bank and works as an Ethical Finance Advisor in multiple domains.