When you trade crypto in Singapore, you’re not just dealing with price charts—you’re navigating MAS AML requirements, the anti-money laundering rules enforced by Singapore’s Monetary Authority of Singapore to prevent financial crime in digital asset markets. Also known as Singapore crypto AML rules, these aren’t suggestions—they’re legal obligations that affect every exchange, wallet provider, and even individual trader who uses regulated platforms. Unlike places where crypto operates in a gray zone, Singapore takes a clear, strict stance: if you’re handling crypto value, you’re part of the financial system—and you must be tracked.
These rules don’t just target big exchanges. They also apply to anyone offering crypto-to-fiat services, peer-to-peer platforms with volume, or even token issuers who handle user funds. The MAS requires strict customer due diligence, the process of verifying user identities and monitoring transaction patterns to spot suspicious activity, real-time transaction monitoring, automated systems that flag unusual crypto flows, like rapid transfers between high-risk wallets, and mandatory reporting of suspicious activity to authorities. This is why exchanges like Binance Singapore or Coinhako have KYC forms longer than your grocery list—they’re not being extra cautious, they’re following the law.
What’s interesting is how these rules connect to global trends. The MAS doesn’t work in isolation. Its standards align with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), meaning if you’re compliant in Singapore, you’re also closer to meeting rules in the EU, US, or UK. That’s why some crypto projects avoid Singapore entirely—they can’t meet the bar. Others use it as a badge of trust. If a token project says it’s MAS-compliant, it’s not just marketing—it’s a signal that their backend is audited, their users are verified, and their flows are traceable.
You’ll find posts here that dig into how these rules impact real platforms—like why some exchanges shut down in Singapore, why others got licensed, and how scams try to fake compliance. Some articles show how users get caught up in red flags because they didn’t know their wallet activity triggered a report. Others break down how stablecoin transfers or cross-border DeFi swaps are now under the microscope. This isn’t about fear—it’s about clarity. If you’re trading crypto in or from Singapore, you need to know what the MAS is watching. The posts below give you the real details: what’s enforced, what’s ignored, and what happens when you cross the line.
MAS has drastically tightened crypto oversight in Singapore, effectively banning new licenses and enforcing strict AML, consumer protection, and compliance rules. Only a handful of firms can now operate legally.