When it comes to crypto licensing in Singapore, the legal framework that governs how virtual asset service providers operate under strict oversight by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Also known as MAS crypto regulation, it’s one of the most transparent and well-defined systems in Asia, designed to protect users while encouraging innovation. Unlike places where crypto operates in a gray zone, Singapore demands licenses for exchanges, custodians, and token issuers — and they don’t hand them out lightly.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the central bank and financial regulator responsible for overseeing all virtual asset activities in the country. Also known as MAS, it enforces rules that require companies to prove they have strong security, anti-money laundering controls, and enough capital to survive market shocks. If you’re running a crypto exchange in Singapore, you need at least S$5 million in paid-up capital. Privacy coins like Monero are banned. You must also submit regular audits and prove your team has real experience. This isn’t paperwork — it’s a barrier to entry that filters out fly-by-night operators.
That’s why platforms like OKX, a global crypto exchange that restricts access in some countries but operates legally in Singapore under MAS supervision. Also known as OKX exchange, it’s one of the few platforms that can legally offer derivatives and institutional trading to Singapore residents are allowed to serve local users — while others, like NUT MONEY or Naijacrypto, would never pass even the first review. The same standards apply to token issuers. If you’re launching a new coin and want to attract Singaporean investors, you need a license — or you’re breaking the law.
What does this mean for you as a trader or investor? It means your money is safer. Licensed platforms must keep client funds separate, undergo quarterly audits, and report suspicious activity. They can’t just vanish overnight. That’s why users in Singapore trust platforms like Luno or Binance (which holds a MAS license) over unregulated ones. The rules also mean fewer scams — because the government doesn’t just warn you about fraud, it shuts it down before it starts.
And it’s not just about exchanges. If you’re building a DeFi protocol, running a crypto wallet, or offering staking services in Singapore, you need to apply for the right license. There’s no loophole. Even if your company is based overseas, if you market to Singaporeans, MAS can and will come after you. That’s why many global projects either avoid Singapore entirely — or go through the full licensing process.
Below, you’ll find real reviews and warnings about platforms that claim to serve Singapore — some are licensed, many aren’t. You’ll see how scams like SHIBSC or CHIHUA airdrops prey on people who don’t know the rules. You’ll learn why Bitocto and TNNS PROX are red flags, even if they accept SGD. And you’ll understand why Figure Markets, with its SEC compliance, still can’t operate here — because Singapore has its own standards, and they’re not the same as the U.S.
Singapore's 2025 crypto regulations require all digital token service providers to be licensed by MAS. Learn the licensing tiers, compliance rules, stablecoin requirements, and penalties for non-compliance.