Singapore Crypto Exchange License

Singapore is currently one of the most important fintech hubs in Southeast Asia as the government started to regulate most of the activities which center around cryptocurrencies. Also, setting up a cryptocurrency company has become easier since crypto exchanges are licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Payment Services Act 2019.

If you want to open a company in Singapore and need advice on the steps to be completed, our local specialists are at your disposal with company registration services. Below, they also explain the requirements related to obtaining a crypto exchange license in Singapore.

Requirements for Singapore companies applying for crypto exchange licenses

The first step in obtaining a Singapore cryptocurrency exchange license is to register a company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority in the city-state. The requisites are the same as for any other type of company in Singapore.

Then, the cryptocurrency exchange license will be issued by the MAS based on the company’s Articles of Association and Certificate of Registration and an application for a standard or major payment institution licence for digital payment token (DPT) services. In order to be issued the Singapore crypto exchange license, the main requirements include:

• – base capital of SGD 100,000 (standard) or SGD 250,000 (major payment institution) and, for a major licence, a security deposit with MAS;
• – a major payment institution licence is needed above SGD 3 million of monthly DPT transactions (below that, a standard licence suffices);
• – compliance with MAS AML/CFT (Notice PSN02), technology risk and consumer protection requirements on an ongoing basis;
• – since 30 June 2025, Singapore firms serving only overseas customers need a DTSP licence under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2022, which MAS grants only in very limited cases.

Apart from these, the MAS will also consider specific conditions which must be met the company applying for the crypto exchange license. With a vast experience in company formation matters, our consultants can help you open a company in Singapore and apply for a cryptocurrency exchange license.

Legislation governing the crypto exchange licensing requisites in Singapore

All companies applying for a cryptocurrency exchange license in Singapore must comply with the Payment Services Act 2019, MAS AML/CFT notices and the Securities and Futures Act, which provide for the transparency conditions related to trading virtual tokens, respectively the conditions imposed for a digital coin to be considered security which can be traded.

Singapore cryptocurrency companies must also ensure the minimum management conditions imposed by the MAS.

For full information on the conditions related to obtaining a Singapore crypto exchange license, please contact us. We remind investors that we can help them open a company in Singapore.