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Interest Prohibition

Definition

Interest prohibition refers to a regulatory or ethical restriction against earning or paying interest on financial transactions. This concept is particularly relevant in Islamic finance, where Sharia law forbids Riba, or usury, which includes interest. In the context of digital assets, this prohibition impacts the design and operation of certain decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and lending platforms that must structure their offerings to comply with these principles. It necessitates alternative financial mechanisms, such as profit-sharing arrangements or asset-backed transactions, to provide returns without charging conventional interest. Adherence to this principle shapes financial product development.