Crypto Compliance Singapore: Rules, Risks, and What You Must Know in 2025

When operating in Crypto compliance Singapore, the set of legal and operational standards enforced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for cryptocurrency businesses. Also known as VASP regulations, it applies to anyone handling crypto assets, trading, or offering services to residents—even if you're based overseas. This isn’t about avoiding trouble. It’s about staying open for business.

Singapore doesn’t ban crypto. It controls it. If you’re running a crypto exchange, wallet service, or even a token sale targeting Singaporeans, you need a license from MAS. There are only two paths: the Standard Payment Token Service License or the Major Payment Institution License. Both require proof of financial stability, anti-money laundering systems, and clear customer protection rules. Over 100 companies applied in 2024—only 38 got approved. The rest? Shut down or moved. This isn’t bureaucracy. It’s a filter.

And it’s not just about licenses. The MAS tracks everything. If your platform allows anonymous trading, you’re flagged. If you don’t verify user identities properly, you’re at risk. Even if you’re just a trader using a foreign exchange, you’re still bound by Singapore’s rules if you’re a resident. The MAS doesn’t care if you think your exchange is "overseas." If you’re in Singapore, you’re under their radar. That’s why many local traders now only use platforms like Coinbase or Binance SG—because those are the only ones with full MAS approval.

What about crypto airdrops or DeFi projects? If they’re promoted to Singaporeans, they’re regulated. That’s why you’ve seen so many fake airdrops vanish in 2025—MAS cracked down on unlicensed promotions. Projects like CTT CryptoTycoon and RVLVR Revolver Token disappeared not because they failed, but because they never followed the rules. Real airdrops? They’re announced through licensed platforms, with clear terms and KYC steps. No mystery. No urgency. Just compliance.

And don’t assume you’re safe just because you’re not a business. If you’re earning crypto through staking, mining, or trading as a side hustle, you still need to report it. Singapore taxes crypto gains as income. The MAS works with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). They know who’s trading. They know who’s not reporting. And they’re getting better at catching it.

Compare this to places like Nigeria or Russia, where crypto rules are either unclear or outright banned. Singapore’s system is rigid, but it’s clear. You know what’s allowed. You know what’s not. And you know what happens if you cross the line. That’s why global crypto firms set up their Asia HQs here—not because it’s easy, but because it’s predictable.

So if you’re thinking about launching a crypto service, trading regularly, or even just holding assets in Singapore, you need to understand this: compliance isn’t a checkbox. It’s your license to operate. Skip it, and you risk fines, account freezes, or worse. Follow it, and you get access to one of the most stable, well-connected crypto markets in the world.

Below, you’ll find real-world breakdowns of what’s allowed, what’s banned, and how businesses and traders are navigating Singapore’s crypto rules in 2025—without getting caught in the trap of fake promises or legal blind spots.