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Finding a good forex broker for a specific country may be troublesome if you don't know where to start. Here are 7 recommendations of top forex brokers in Singapore.

A great reward indeed comes at high risk, but that does not mean you need to risk everything to earn a great reward. You can make it safer by choosing a reliable broker. But how do you choose a broker of such quality? Are there any specific criteria to be considered if you're a trader based in Singapore? Here are some things to consider:

  1. Regulated by MAS
    Selecting a broker regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) should be the foremost consideration when embarking on your trading journey in Singapore. MAS is Singapore's premier financial regulatory body, renowned for its unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity and stability of the financial sector. When a broker is subject to MAS regulation, the institution adheres to the highest industry standards.

  2. Have Headquarters in Singapore
    Having a broker with headquarters in Singapore fosters a high level of transparency. A broker with a local presence is well-versed in the unique market conditions, trading hours, and trading instruments relevant to Singaporean traders. Having a broker headquartered in Singapore can facilitate smoother communication and customer support. Additionally, a local headquarters often means the broker has established relationships and partnerships within the Singaporean financial industry. A broker with a local office is less likely to scam you.

  3. Local Customer Support
    A local customer support team is likely to operate in the same time zone as you and speak your native language. This can facilitate communication and resolve issues more effectively and efficiently, especially when it comes to time-sensitive matters. Having a broker that offers a customer support team in Singapore can be essential.


  4. Local Languages
    It is important to find a broker that supports the local languages in Singapore. Luckily, Singapore has a diverse culture and has plenty of languages. Besides Malay, most of them are proficient in speaking English and Chinese. This can be a good consideration when choosing a broker. Find one that supports at least one of the three most spoken languages in Singapore.

  5. SGD Account Currency
    Trading or investing in financial markets using a foreign currency may incur exchange fees and unfavorable rates. A broker who supports local currency (in this case SGD) allows traders to deposit, withdraw, and trade in the native currency, saving money on conversion costs. Dealing with local currency simplifies financial transactions, making it more convenient to manage trading accounts.

Based on the criteria above, Here are a few of the best brokers that Singaporean traders use:

  • OANDA: Regulated by MAS (200704926K).
  • Plus500: Regulated under MAS (201422211Z).
  • Saxo Broker: Regulated by MAS under license number (200601141M).
  • Interactive Broker: MAS-regulated broker under license number (CMS100917).
  • City Index: MAS regulations with license number (201130598R).
  • AvaTrade: Offers SGD trading and local customer support.
  • FBS: Offers local customer support for Singaporean traders.

 

1. OANDA

  • MAS Regulation: 200704926K
  • Local Office: Raffles Pl, 26-02 One Raffles Place Tower 1, Singapore.
  • Languages: English, Malay, Simplified Chinese (Hanzi), Traditional Chinese (Hanzi), Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.
  • Local Deposit and Withdrawal: ❌
  • SGD Account Currency: ✔️
  • Local Customer Support: +65 6579 8289

Dr. Richard Olsen and Dr. Michael Stumm started OANDA in 1996. Since then, the broker has expanded and is registered under several top jurisdictions.

MAS now regulates it under no. 200704926K as OANDA Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. OANDA did not have a minimum deposit and can provide leverage up to 1:100. MT4 and OANDA fxTrade are the platforms offered.

Singaporean traders can make payments using various methods, such as PayPal or bank wire transfers. This broker caters to Singaporean traders by offering English and Chinese languages on their official website.

OANDA also has a strong local presence by owning a local office in the country as well as hosting a specific webpage dedicated to its Singapore clients.

 

2. Plus500

  • MAS Regulation: 201422211Z
  • Local Office: Temasek Avenue, Millenia Tower 37-03, Singapore.
  • Languages: English, Simplified Chinese (Hanzi), Traditional Chinese (Hanzi), etc.
  • Local Deposit and Withdrawal: ❌
  • SGD Account Currency: ✔️
  • Local Customer Support: +65 31389075; +359 88 206 8479 (WhatsApp)

Plus500 is a versatile trading provider that caters to traders in Singapore. They offer various financial instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, and ETFs. Plus500 is a trustworthy choice for Singaporean traders as it is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) with registration number 201422211Z.

While their website is available in English and Chinese, it's important to note that Plus500 doesn't support Singapore local bank deposits and withdrawals, which may be a consideration for potential regional users.

 

3. Saxo

  • MAS Regulation: 200601141M
  • Local Office: 88 Market Street CapitaSpring 31-01, Singapore.
  • Languages: English, Simplified Chinese, Chinese (Hong Kong), Dutch, French, Arabic, Japanese, etc.
  • Local Deposit and Withdrawal: ❌
  • SGD Account Currency: ❌
  • Local Customer Support: +65 6303 7788; +65 6303 7888

Saxo is a well-established broker with a global presence, serving over 1,000,000 clients worldwide. With client assets totaling more than 100 billion USD and a remarkable track record of over 30 years in the industry, Saxo boasts a wealth of experience.

Singaporean traders can trust Saxo as it is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under Co. Reg. No: 200601141M.

Saxo owns a Singapore headquarters to make sure traders in the country can contact them easily. They support English and Chinese languages on their website to enhance their service for Singaporean traders.

It's worth noting that Saxo does not offer Singapore local bank deposit and withdrawal options.

 

4. Interactive Broker

  • MAS Regulation: CMS100917
  • Local Office: Asia Square Tower 1, Marina View, 40-02A 8, Singapore.
  • Languages: English, Simplified Chinese (Hanzi), Traditional Chinese (Hanzi), Spanish, Portuguese.
  • Local Deposit and Withdrawal: ❌
  • SGD Account Currency: ✔️
  • Local Customer Support: +65 6923 5600

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a reputable broker licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under Licence No. CMS100917.

With a global presence, IBKR serves clients in over 200 countries and territories, offering a wide range of trading opportunities across 150 global markets. They provide access to stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds, all from a single unified platform, making trading efficient and convenient.

While IBKR does not support Singapore's local bank transactions, they allow deposits and withdrawals in SGD. They also provide SGD currency trading through their abundant collection of trading instruments.

Additionally, IBKR's website is available in English and Chinese for Singaporean traders.

 

5. City Index

  • MAS Regulation: 201130598R
  • Local Office: Raffles Place, 12-62 One Raffles Place – Tower 2, Singapore.
  • Languages: English only.
  • Local Deposit and Withdrawal: ❌
  • SGD Account Currency:
  • Local Customer Support: +65 6826 9988

City Index has been a reliable choice for Singaporean traders since 2006, offering a global FX and CFD trading platform. With over 6,000 markets encompassing forex, indices, shares, and commodities, the City Index empowers its clients with diverse global trading opportunities.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) regulates the broker under Co. Reg. No: 201130598R, instilling trust and confidence in its services.

While their website is accessible in English for Singaporean traders, it's worth noting that the City Index does not support Singapore's local bank deposits and withdrawals. However, City Index has a strong local presence by owning a headquarter in Singapore.

 

6. AvaTrade

  • MAS Regulation: ❌
  • Local Office: 10 Changi Business Park Central 2 #04-10 HANSAPOINT @ CBP Singapore 486030
  • Languages: English, Malay, Simplified Chinese (Hanzi), Traditional Chinese (Hanzi), Indonesian, Mongolian, Spanish, Dutch, etc.
  • Local Deposit and Withdrawal: ❌
  • SGD Account Currency: ❌
  • Local Customer Support: +65 800 120 5170; +447520644093 (WhatsApp)

AvaTrade is a notable brokerage operating in Singapore. Despite lacking specific regulatory oversight, it stands out for its multilingual support, offering services in English, Chinese, and Malay, catering to a diverse clientele.

While local deposit and withdrawal options are not available, AvaTrade does support the Singapore Dollar (SGD) for trading, allowing traders to engage in currency pairs involving SGD.

Furthermore, the presence of local customer support makes it a reliable choice for Singaporean traders seeking assistance and guidance in their trading activities.

 

7. FBS

  • MAS Regulation: ❌
  • Local Office: ❌
  • Languages: English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese.
  • Local Deposit and Withdrawal: ❌
  • SGD Account Currency: ❌
  • Local Customer Support: There is no local Singapore number for FBS customer support.
    The available options are email at support@fbs.com and the following phone numbers +35799173422 (WhatsApp); +357 22 010970; +501 611 0594

FBS broker is a well-known international brokerage that operates in Singapore, offering trading services to English and Chinese-speaking clients.

While it lacks specific regulatory oversight and headquarters in the region, it makes up for it with the presence of local customer support, providing clients with a reliable point of contact for assistance and inquiries.

It should be noted that FBS does not offer local deposit and withdrawal options nor support the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Nevertheless, the availability of local customer support can be a valuable resource for Singaporean traders seeking assistance and guidance in their trading endeavors.

 

The Reality of Forex Trading in Singapore

With a population of nearly 5.5 million and a highly educated citizenry, Singapore has a vibrant forex trading community comprising over 50,000 active retail forex traders. The country offers convenient market trading hours, high liquidity, a wide range of trading pairs, and leverage options, which can enhance potential gains in a volatile market.

Additionally, retail forex traders in Singapore enjoy the benefit of tax-free trading. The country's strong economy and global links make it an attractive forex trading and investment place.

Unlike its neighboring countries, Singapore does not have currency controls restricting local citizens from trading currency pairs involving the SGD. The country's stable economy, robust banking infrastructure, and excellent credit rating contribute to the stability of the SGD in the volatile forex market.

While many forex brokers cater to Singapore residents, only 39 are registered with the local regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). MAS serves as both the regulatory watchdog and the central bank of Singapore.

Fortunately, Singapore residents can use non-MAS-regulated offshore brokers without legal restrictions. They only need to make sure that the broker allows Singapore clients and is reliable.

 

In addition to being the third-largest foreign exchange center in the world, Singapore has also produced successful traders whose names are likely familiar. Who are they? Find out more in Successful Traders in Singapore and Their Stories.