Edupols: The Utilization of Blockchain Technology to Increase Investment Interest in the Sharia Capital Market

Abstract

Activities in the capital market are one of the indicators of a country's economic development. The Islamic capital market is not much different from the conventional capital market, with the main distinction being the principles and practices used. In the Islamic capital market, every activity adheres to Sharia principles and does not contradict established religious teachings. However, there is still a lack of deep understanding about the Islamic capital market among many people. The research problem in this study aims to understand the public's interest in the Islamic capital market, the innovation of EduPols as a means to increase public interest in the Islamic capital market, and the comparison of public understanding of the Islamic capital market before and after the introduction of EduPols. The research method used is descriptive qualitative analysis, with data collection techniques including observation and direct interviews with 30 respondents. EduPols utilizes blockchain technology to ensure accountability and responsibility within the application by presenting five main features, all of which are easily understood by all demographics. The results of this study indicate that prior to the introduction of EduPols, the public's interest and understanding were superficial. After the introduction of EduPols, 90% of the respondents showed interest in the EduPols prototype for use as a literacy tool to guide activities in the Islamic capital market.