Fintech is on everybody’s lips these days as this industry is one of the most prolific segments all over the world, therefore seeking investment sectors all over the world. Singapore is on the short list of countries where foreign enterprisers decide to set up financial technology businesses, as this is where fintech comes from. With more than 200 banks operating here, Singapore has established itself as a fintech hub in Southeast Asia.
If you want to open a fintech company and need assistance, our Singapore company formation specialists can offer detailed information on the laws you need to comply with.
We have also prepared a video on how to establish a fintech company in Singaporein 2026. Please watch it below:
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Company registration in Singapore
The first step to creating a fintech business is to set up a company in Singapore. The registration process is quite simple and can be handled by our company formation agents in Singapore.
Following that, the fintech company must obtain the operating license, which is a special license issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to banking and insurance institutions developing innovative solutions that will be employed in the financial industry. However, not only financial companies can create fintech solutions, as IT companies are the engine of the innovation sector in Singapore.
Our company formation consultants in Singapore can help you set up an IT or a fintech company in the city-state.
Types of licenses for fintech activities in Singapore in 2026
There are several types of financial licenses available for Singapore fintech companies. Among these are:
- the Capital Markets Services license which is necessary for carrying out regulated activities such as corporate finance consulting, securities financing, fund management, and securities custodial services and is issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS);
- the Financial Adviser license which is issued by the MAS and is available for fintech businesses engaged in providing specific services, such as investment advisory solutions, market forecasts, and predictions, etc;
- the banking license which covers creating savings accounts and offering loans to clients;
- the exchange money license which is issued to companies selling/exchanging foreign currency.
Assistance for fintech companies in Singapore in 2026
As mentioned in the beginning, the government through the Monetary Authority has committed to invest in the fintech sector in Singapore which is why it has enabled several assistance schemes, among which:
- the Financial Sector and Technology and Innovation scheme;
- the Startup SG Accelerator scheme;
- the Startup SG Tech program;
- the Capabilities Development Grant;
- the Startup SG Founder program.
The Singapore fintech market
The fintech industry in Singapore is often described as diverse and complex by larger economies, such as Canada. Fintech companies in Singapore target both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-client (B2C) segments, and they are divided into:
- around 496 companies operating as payment service providers;
- approximately 40 companies operating as money transfer and remittance businesses;
- approximately 40 entities operating as online payment gateways.
In 2025, fintech companies in Singapore raised SGD 3.8 billion, or over one-third of all startup capital in the City-State. Fintech seed and Series A rounds brought in around SGD 1 billion in 2025 alone, demonstrating a high level of investor interest in new businesses. Neobanks and digital lending are thriving in Singapore because nearly two-thirds of the population actively controls their finances through mobile-first banks.
In terms of numbers, last year there were 8 fintech unicorns in Singapore, including wealth tech, insurance tech, and digital banking.
Fintech entrepreneurs can obtain grants of up to SGD250,000 through the Monetary Authority and Enterprise Singapore, easing quicker prototyping and compliance testing.
For full information on the requirements related to opening a fintech company in Singapore in 2026, please feel free to contact us. You can also rely on our company formation advisors in Singapore for assistance with the company incorporation procedure.