Community-focused platform MRHB DeFi has received an investment from Australian Gulf Capital, a global investment management company, as part of the strategic venture round of the world's first inclusive and ethical DeFi ecosystem platform.

The funding from Australian Gulf (AG) Capital is not the first from the region, with the Islamic DeFi pioneer having received investments from institutions such as Blockchain Australia and other Aussie angel investors. The AG Capital investment presents further opportunity to expand MRHB DeFi’s presence and growth in this key market.

“We are pleased to have an early-stage opportunity to support first-mover Marhaba in the development of their high-growth, disruptive venture in ethical and halal DeFi,” commented CEO and founder of AG Capital, Salman Masaud. “Our investments are typically focused on a company’s early funding stages when the product is nascent and the upside potential is the greatest. We expect to support the project by bringing our legal, consulting and investment banking expertise to assist the Marhaba team in launching their socially impactful vision.”

The Australian PE/VC funds management company is also currently in the process of establishing a license under ADGM in the UAE, a key growth hub for MRHB DeFi, having recently signed a partnership with local partner Masary Capital to provide halal crypto solutions to the retail and institutional sectors in the UAE.

“Australia Gulf Capital’s ethos of actively supporting startups who align with their ambitious growth vision makes them a strong partner for us,” said MRHB DeFi CEO Naquib Mohammed. “As we continue on our  journey of building the world’s first ethical DeFi platform, it is this shared vision and support from amongst our family of investors and partners that will help transform our dream into reality.”

MRHB DeFi: An Islamic Finance DeFi Pioneer

MRHB DeFi was created to bridge a perceived gap - by providing excluded and crypto-cautious communities greater access to the growing opportunities and utilities of the cryptosphere. The project is underpinned by faith-based DeFi offerings which adhere to the ethical investment and financing principles rooted in Islamic Finance. Many values upheld by the halal platform also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Business practices deemed ethical include those that avoid interest, usury, social exploitation as well as support sustainability, asset or utility backed financing, transparency and equitable risk-reward sharing. These principles have universal appeal far beyond the faith conscious community.

With the Islamic Finance market sized at around USD 3 trillion of assets, bringing even a small portion of Shariah-sensitive liquidity into DeFi will represent a major boost to the total value of the DeFi sector worldwide.