Are forex, CFDs and spread betting halal?

Haram. Leverage is a loan that charges interest (the overnight swap), a CFD never gives you ownership of what you trade, and spread betting is a bet on price. Scholars treat these as riba, gharar and maysir.

Haram · Money and investing · From the Halal or Not? rulebook, checked 28 September 2026

The views, and who holds them

Held byVerdictReasoning
Most scholarsHaramInterest on leverage, no ownership, and gambling on price moves.
'Islamic' swap-free accountsDoubtfulRemoving the overnight swap deals with interest but not with the lack of ownership or the betting element, so many scholars still avoid them.

Quick answers

Are forex, CFDs and spread betting halal?
Haram. Leverage is a loan that charges interest (the overnight swap), a CFD never gives you ownership of what you trade, and spread betting is a bet on price. Scholars treat these as riba, gharar and maysir.
Who holds that it is haram?
Most scholars: Interest on leverage, no ownership, and gambling on price moves.
Who holds that it is doubtful?
'Islamic' swap-free accounts: Removing the overnight swap deals with interest but not with the lack of ownership or the betting element, so many scholars still avoid them.

Sources

Information, not a fatwa. Where scholars differ, this shows the main views so you can follow the one you already follow or ask a scholar you trust.

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