The best MAS regulated brokers in 2026 are OANDA, IG, Saxo Bank, and Plus500 — all holding active Capital Markets Services (CMS) licences issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. MAS regulation means your funds are held in segregated accounts, leverage is capped to protect retail traders, and the broker is subject to ongoing compliance oversight by one of Asia’s most rigorous financial regulators.
Broker Review Contents
What Is MAS Regulation and Why Does It Matter?
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is Singapore’s central bank and integrated financial regulator. When a broker is MAS regulated, it holds a Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence under the Securities and Futures Act (SFA) — one of the most stringent regulatory frameworks in Asia-Pacific.
MAS regulation matters for traders because it enforces several non-negotiable client protections:
Segregated client funds: Your deposits must be held separately from the broker’s operating capital in approved financial institutions. If the broker becomes insolvent, your funds are ring-fenced and cannot be used to settle the broker’s debts.
Leverage limits: MAS caps retail leverage at 20:1 on major forex pairs — significantly lower than unregulated offshore brokers that advertise 500:1 or higher. This limit exists because high leverage is statistically the primary driver of retail account losses.
Best execution obligations: MAS-licensed brokers must demonstrate they are executing client orders at the best available price and must maintain records to prove this.
Formal complaints process: MAS-regulated brokers are subject to enforcement action by MAS and must maintain documented complaints resolution procedures. Traders have legal recourse unavailable with offshore unregulated entities.
Anti-money laundering compliance: Full KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML compliance is mandatory, which also protects traders from being associated with illicit financial flows.
For Singapore-based traders and those throughout the ASEAN region, MAS regulation represents the regional gold standard — equivalent in rigour to the FCA in the United Kingdom or ASIC in Australia. For context on how MAS compares to other top-tier regulators globally, the Compare Forex Brokers guide at CompareBroker.io provides a detailed regulatory tier breakdown across over 100 verified brokers.
How to Verify a Broker’s MAS Licence
Before depositing funds with any broker claiming MAS regulation, verify their licence directly on the MAS Financial Institutions Directory at eservices.mas.gov.sg/fid. Search for the broker’s entity name or CMS licence number. The directory shows:
- Licence type (Capital Markets Services)
- Regulated activities (dealing in capital markets products, fund management, etc.)
- Licence status (active, suspended, revoked)
- Registered entity name and address
A critical point: the MAS-regulated entity and the broker’s trading platform may operate under different legal names. For example, a broker might offer trading through an internationally branded platform while the Singapore entity is a distinct legal subsidiary. Always verify the specific Singapore entity is the one holding your account.
CompareBroker.io independently verifies regulation status for every listed broker — cross-referencing licence numbers directly against official regulator registers rather than relying solely on broker self-reporting.
MAS Regulated Brokers Compared: 2026 Overview
Broker | MAS Entity | Other Key Licences | Min. Deposit | Platforms | Best For |
OANDA | OANDA Asia Pacific Pte Ltd | FCA, ASIC, CFTC, NFA | $1 | Proprietary, MT4, TradingView | Multi-regulated safety, low barrier entry |
IG | IG Asia Pte Ltd | FCA, ASIC, JFSA, FINMA | $0 | ProRealTime, MT4, IG platform | Market breadth, professional tools |
Saxo Bank | Saxo Markets (Saxo Capital Markets Pte Ltd) | FCA, ASIC, FINMA, JFSA | $2,000 | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO | Multi-asset investing, institutional tools |
Plus500 | Plus500SG Pte Ltd | FCA, CySEC, ASIC | $100 | Plus500 proprietary | Simplicity, beginners |
CMC Markets | CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pte Ltd | FCA, ASIC | $0 | Next Generation, MT4 | Advanced charting, 300+ forex pairs |
OANDA: Best MAS Regulated Broker for Accessibility
OANDA Asia Pacific Pte Ltd holds an active CMS licence from MAS and is the standout choice for traders who want maximum regulatory credibility combined with the lowest possible barrier to entry.
Regulatory profile: OANDA is regulated by MAS (Singapore), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CFTC and NFA (USA), IIROC (Canada), and JFSA (Japan). This multi-regulatory structure — seven tier-1 licences — makes OANDA one of the most comprehensively regulated forex brokers in the world. For Southeast Asian traders, the MAS licence provides direct regulatory protection under Singapore law.
Trading conditions: OANDA’s minimum deposit is just $1 — making it the most financially accessible MAS-regulated broker on this list. Despite the low entry threshold, OANDA’s pricing is transparent and competitive on its Standard account. The broker operates on a spread-only model for most account types, with no separate commission charges.
Platforms: OANDA Trade (proprietary), MetaTrader 4, and TradingView integration. The OANDA Trade platform is clean and well-regarded for its usability, particularly among traders who want straightforward order execution without the complexity of MetaTrader’s indicator ecosystem.
Who it suits: Beginners starting with small capital; traders who place maximum weight on regulatory safety; Southeast Asian clients who want a broker with direct MAS oversight and decades of operating history.
For traders comparing OANDA against other multi-regulated options, the Best CFD Brokers comparison at CompareBroker.io provides side-by-side analysis of spreads, execution quality, and regulatory protections across the top eight regulated CFD platforms available in 2026.
IG: Best MAS Regulated Broker for Market Breadth
IG Asia Pte Ltd holds a CMS licence from MAS and is the global benchmark for instrument breadth among retail-accessible brokers. IG is regulated by eight tier-1 regulators worldwide — including MAS, FCA, ASIC, JFSA, MAS, FINMA, FMA, CFTC, and MiFID.
Trading conditions: IG offers over 17,000 tradeable instruments across forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds, interest rates, and options. For Singapore-based traders, IG’s Asia-Pacific market coverage is particularly strong, with direct access to SGX-listed instruments alongside international markets. Spreads on major forex pairs start from 0.6 pips on the standard account, with a Premium account tier for higher-volume traders.
Platforms: IG’s proprietary platform is one of the most feature-rich in the retail sector, with ProRealTime charting (available free to active traders), a complete suite of technical indicators, and extensive customisation. MetaTrader 4 is also available. IG also offers an L2 Dealer platform for direct market access to share trading.
Unique features: IG provides the widest range of trading instruments available under MAS regulation, including vanilla options on forex and indices — a product category very few retail-accessible brokers offer. The broker’s research and market analysis output is also industry-leading, with daily analysis, economic calendars, and real-time Reuters and Morningstar data integrated into the platform.
Who it suits: Intermediate to advanced traders who want the broadest possible instrument access under a single MAS-regulated account; traders who require professional analysis tools; clients who want to trade options alongside conventional CFD products.
Saxo Bank: Best MAS Regulated Broker for Professional Multi-Asset Trading
Saxo Capital Markets Pte Ltd — the Singapore entity of Danish investment bank Saxo Bank — holds a CMS licence from MAS and operates as one of the most institutionally oriented retail brokers in the region.
Regulatory profile: As a fully licensed investment bank regulated by the Danish FSA, FINMA (Switzerland), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), JFSA (Japan), SFC (Hong Kong), and MAS (Singapore), Saxo Bank is subject to the strictest capital and compliance requirements of any broker on this list. The bank-level regulatory structure provides an additional layer of client protection beyond standard broker regulation.
Trading conditions: Saxo offers access to over 60,000 instruments — the broadest selection of any MAS-regulated retail broker — including FX spot, FX options, non-deliverable forwards (NDFs), stock CFDs, real stock ownership on 50+ exchanges, ETFs, bonds, futures, and listed options. The minimum deposit for the Classic account is $2,000, reflecting the institutional positioning of the platform.
Platforms: SaxoTraderGO (web and mobile) and SaxoTraderPRO (desktop, for active traders and professionals). Both platforms are proprietary and built to institutional-grade specifications. SaxoTraderPRO includes full multi-leg options trading, algorithmic order types, and portfolio analytics.
Who it suits: High-net-worth and professional traders who want bank-level regulation, the widest possible instrument range including real stock ownership, and institutional-grade platform technology; traders who want to consolidate a diversified investment portfolio under MAS oversight on a single platform.
For traders evaluating Saxo against other options for stock trading specifically, CompareBroker.io’s Top Stock Brokers 2026 guide includes a detailed analysis of Saxo’s six tier-1 licences and its 60,000+ instrument selection relative to competitors.
Plus500: Best MAS Regulated Broker for Beginners
Plus500SG Pte Ltd holds a CMS licence from MAS and operates the Plus500 CFD trading platform in Singapore — one of the simplest and most accessible trading interfaces available from any regulated broker globally.
Regulatory profile: Plus500 operates through MAS (Plus500SG Pte Ltd), FCA (Plus500UK Ltd), CySEC (Plus500CY Ltd), ASIC (Plus500AU Pty Ltd), and ISA (Plus500IL Ltd). This multi-jurisdictional structure gives Plus500 meaningful regulatory depth across five jurisdictions.
Trading conditions: Plus500’s platform offers access to CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies — a comprehensive range for a platform that prioritises simplicity. Trading is commission-free, with costs incorporated into the spread. The minimum deposit is $100, and the platform interface is genuinely beginner-friendly.
Platform: Plus500 uses its own proprietary platform exclusively — MetaTrader is not supported. This is a deliberate design choice: the Plus500 platform is optimised for ease of use, with a clean interface, built-in risk management tools (guaranteed stop-loss orders available on most instruments), and mobile and web versions that are functionally identical.
Who it suits: Beginners and casual traders who want a simple, regulated trading environment without the complexity of MetaTrader’s ecosystem; traders who prioritise platform simplicity and regulatory safety over advanced charting tools.
For a full assessment of Plus500’s regulatory structure and trading conditions, CompareBroker.io’s Plus500 Review 2026covers regulation, fees, platform features, and trader suitability in detail.
MAS vs. Other Tier-1 Regulators: What’s the Difference?
For Singapore-based traders and those across ASEAN, understanding how MAS compares to other major regulators is important when evaluating brokers that may offer accounts under different regulated entities.
MAS vs. FCA: Both are tier-1 regulators with comparable client protection standards. The FCA additionally offers the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which compensates eligible UK clients up to £85,000 if a regulated firm fails. MAS does not operate an equivalent deposit guarantee scheme, though the segregated fund requirements serve the same protective purpose. For brokers holding both MAS and FCA licences (such as OANDA and IG), UK-entity accounts may carry the additional FSCS protection.
MAS vs. ASIC: Australia’s ASIC underwent significant reforms in 2021, tightening leverage limits and strengthening client money protections to levels comparable with MAS and FCA standards. ASIC-regulated entities now operate under rules closely aligned with MAS requirements. Many brokers — including several discussed on CompareBroker.io’s Best CFD Brokers guide — hold both ASIC and MAS licences, serving Southeast Asian clients through their Singapore entity and Australian clients through their ASIC entity.
MAS vs. CySEC: CySEC is the Cyprus regulator operating under the EU’s MiFID II framework. While CySEC provides EU-wide regulatory passport access, it is generally regarded as a tier-2 regulator relative to MAS and FCA. For Southeast Asian traders, a broker with MAS (rather than solely CySEC) regulation provides demonstrably stronger oversight.
Offshore brokers vs. MAS-regulated brokers: This distinction is critical. Offshore brokers registered in jurisdictions such as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanuatu, or the Seychelles operate without meaningful financial regulation — regardless of the regulatory logos they display on their websites. The features they offer that MAS-regulated brokers cannot — 500:1 leverage, large deposit bonuses — are directly the result of operating outside regulatory frameworks designed to protect retail traders. For an authoritative comparison, CompareBroker.io’s guide to offshore forex brokersexplains precisely why these features represent risks rather than advantages.
Key Factors When Comparing MAS Regulated Brokers
Spreads and Total Trading Costs
The spread is the primary cost of every trade, and small differences compound significantly over time. Among MAS-regulated brokers, OANDA and CMC Markets use variable spread-only pricing; IG offers a competitive spread model with lower rates for higher-volume traders; Saxo Bank’s pricing tiers improve substantially at higher deposit levels.
For traders whose primary concern is cost, comparing raw spread plus commission across account types is essential before opening an account. CompareBroker.io’s Compare Zero Spread Brokers page provides a detailed spread comparison across regulated brokers, including those serving the Singapore market.
Platform and Execution Quality
MAS-regulated brokers vary significantly in platform technology. IG and Saxo Bank operate proprietary platforms built to institutional specifications. OANDA and CMC Markets offer both proprietary and MetaTrader environments. Plus500 uses its proprietary platform exclusively.
For traders who require MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 for Expert Advisor (EA) automated strategies, verifying platform availability before account opening is essential. For algorithmic and API traders, CompareBroker.io’s Best API Trading Brokers guide identifies which regulated brokers support REST and FIX API connectivity with low-latency execution infrastructure.
Instrument Range
If your trading extends beyond forex into equities, commodities, bonds, or options, the instrument range available under each MAS-regulated entity matters. Saxo Bank leads with 60,000+ instruments including real stock ownership. IG offers 17,000+ CFD products. Plus500’s selection is narrower but sufficient for most retail CFD traders.
Account Types and Minimum Deposits
Minimum deposits among MAS-regulated brokers range from $0 (IG, CMC Markets) to $2,000 (Saxo Bank Classic account). For traders starting with smaller capital, OANDA’s $1 minimum is the most accessible option with full tier-1 regulatory protection.
Customer Support and Local Presence
MAS-regulated brokers are required to maintain genuine operational presence in Singapore. This means local customer support teams, Singapore-compliant account documentation, and SGD-denominated account options in many cases. Traders should verify whether a broker’s Singapore entity actually services their account or whether they are being directed to an offshore entity.
Scalping, Copy Trading, and Algorithmic Strategies Under MAS Regulation
Singapore traders interested in specific trading styles should verify that their chosen MAS-regulated broker explicitly permits these activities:
Scalping: MAS-regulated brokers are generally permitted to allow scalping, though policies vary by broker. IG and OANDA explicitly permit scalping. Traders looking specifically for the tightest spreads and fastest execution for high-frequency strategies should compare options across CompareBroker.io’s Best Scalping Brokers 2026 guide, which evaluates execution infrastructure, latency, and spread conditions in detail.
Copy trading: eToro’s MAS-entity provides social copy trading under regulatory oversight. Pepperstone, which holds FCA and ASIC licences (and serves Singapore clients through its international entities), offers copy trading via DupliTrade and Myfxbook. For a comprehensive comparison of copy trading platforms available to Singapore-based traders, CompareBroker.io’s Best Copy Trading Platforms 2026 guide provides detailed analysis.
Algorithmic trading: IG supports algorithmic trading via its REST API under MAS oversight. Saxo Bank’s OpenAPI provides institutional-grade programmatic access. OANDA’s REST API is well-documented and freely accessible for retail clients.
Red Flags: How to Identify Unregulated Brokers Targeting Singapore Traders
MAS publishes an Investor Alert List of entities operating without proper authorisation. Traders in Singapore should watch for these warning signs:
Unverifiable MAS licence: If you cannot find the broker’s Singapore entity on the MAS Financial Institutions Directory, they are not MAS regulated — regardless of any claims on their website.
Leverage above 20:1 for retail accounts: MAS caps retail forex leverage at 20:1. Any broker offering Singapore-based retail clients 50:1, 200:1, or higher is either operating without MAS authorisation or has misclassified you as a professional client without proper assessment.
Guaranteed returns or signals sold alongside trading: MAS-regulated brokers are prohibited from guaranteeing returns. Brokers offering “guaranteed profit signals” or investment schemes alongside their trading platform are almost certainly unregulated and potentially fraudulent.
Pressure to deposit quickly: Legitimate MAS-regulated brokers do not create urgency around deposits. Unsolicited contact promising exceptional returns followed by deposit urgency is a defining characteristic of investment fraud schemes.
Final Recommendations: Which MAS Regulated Broker Is Right for You?
Best for beginners: OANDA (lowest minimum deposit at $1, transparent pricing, MAS + six additional tier-1 licences, clean proprietary platform)
Best for platform simplicity: Plus500 (intuitive proprietary platform, commission-free trading, MAS + FCA + CySEC + ASIC regulation, $100 minimum)
Best for market breadth: IG (17,000+ instruments including vanilla options, eight tier-1 licences, professional research tools)
Best for professional and multi-asset trading: Saxo Bank (60,000+ instruments including real stock ownership, bank-level regulation, institutional-grade SaxoTraderPRO platform)
Best for advanced charting and forex range: CMC Markets (300+ forex pairs, Next Generation platform with superior charting, $0 minimum deposit)
Choosing the right MAS regulated broker depends on matching your trading style, capital level, instrument preferences, and platform requirements to the broker whose conditions best fit your needs. The Compare Forex Brokers tool at CompareBroker.io allows you to filter and compare verified broker data across all key criteria simultaneously — including MAS regulation status, spreads, platforms, and account minimums — covering over 100 regulated brokers reviewed since 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions: MAS Regulated Brokers 2026
What does MAS regulation mean for a forex broker? MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) regulation means the broker holds a Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence under Singapore’s Securities and Futures Act. This requires segregated client funds, leverage limits of 20:1 for retail traders, best execution compliance, and ongoing regulatory supervision by Singapore’s central bank and integrated financial regulator.
Is a MAS regulated broker the same as a Singapore broker? Not necessarily. A broker may hold a MAS licence while being headquartered in another country. The key is whether the specific entity holding your account is the MAS-licensed entity, rather than an offshore subsidiary directed to international clients.
Can I lose more than my deposit with a MAS regulated broker? Retail clients at MAS-regulated brokers are subject to negative balance protection requirements, meaning your losses on leveraged positions are capped at your account balance. You cannot be held liable for losses exceeding your deposit.
How do I verify a broker’s MAS licence? Search the MAS Financial Institutions Directory at eservices.mas.gov.sg/fid using the broker’s registered entity name or CMS licence number. The directory shows licence type, regulated activities, and current status. Always verify directly with MAS rather than relying solely on the broker’s website claims.
Are there MAS regulated brokers with no minimum deposit? Yes. IG Asia and CMC Markets Asia Pacific both operate with no mandatory minimum deposit under their MAS-regulated entities, making them accessible options for traders starting with limited capital.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74–89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always verify broker regulation directly with the relevant authority before depositing funds.
