Best International Brokers in Singapore
Singapore is one of the cleanest regulatory pictures in this series: the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) acts as both central bank and financial regulator, and any firm offering leveraged forex or CFD products to Singapore retail clients must hold an active Capital Markets Services (CMS) Licence issued under the Securities and Futures Act. As of mid-2026, 129 firms hold an active CMS licence covering OTC derivatives or spot foreign exchange dealing — there’s no grey market of tolerated unlicensed offshore brokers here, and no VPN workarounds needed. MAS caps retail leverage at 1:20 on major currency pairs (lower for minors, indices, and commodities) and mandates client fund segregation and negative balance protection. At CT Advisory24, we’ve selected five internationally recognized brokers that all hold a genuine, verifiable MAS licence, so Singapore-based investors can compare them on service and cost rather than basic legitimacy.
IG Markets
- Long-established global provider with strong reputation
- Powerful charting and professional analytical tools
- Web, ProRealTime and mobile trading platforms
- Fast digital onboarding via MyInfo, with PayNow support
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Named among the most trusted MAS-regulated brokers by independent Singapore-focused reviewers.
- Long-standing reputation in the global trading industry.
- ProRealTime adds a more advanced charting environment on top of the core platform.
- Award-winning platform particularly well suited to beginners.
Cons
- Platform depth can feel demanding for entirely new traders.
- Costs and pricing structures vary between products, including a 0.10% (min. S$10) fee on SG stock CFDs.
- Advanced tools may be unnecessary for casual investors.
Technical Sheet
OANDA
- Robust infrastructure built around forex trading
- Strong global brand and regulatory presence
- MT4, proprietary platform and mobile app
- Named among the most trusted MAS-licensed brokers in Singapore
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Robust trading infrastructure with a strong forex focus and long track record.
- Established global brand operating across multiple regulated jurisdictions, including MAS.
- Choice between MT4 and proprietary trading technology.
- Well regarded for fast, straightforward account opening.
Cons
- Product selection is primarily centered on forex and CFDs rather than broad multi-asset investing.
- Trading conditions vary between OANDA’s regional legal entities.
- Less suitable for long-term, buy-and-hold portfolio building.
Technical Sheet
CMC Markets
- Sophisticated proprietary Next Generation trading platform
- Advanced charting and analytical trading tools
- Forex, CFDs and share market access
- MAS-regulated with MetaTrader 4 also supported
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Confirmed MAS-licensed, with client funds subject to segregation requirements.
- Sophisticated proprietary platform with over 115 technical indicators.
- Strong charting and analytical toolkit for active traders.
- Both proprietary Next Generation and MetaTrader 4 available.
Cons
- Platform depth can initially overwhelm less experienced traders.
- Product offering has a significant CFD trading focus.
- Advanced functionality creates a steeper learning curve for beginners.
Technical Sheet
Interactive Brokers
- Extensive access to international financial markets
- Stocks, ETFs, options, futures and forex
- Professional Trader Workstation with advanced tools
- Named among the most trusted brokers for Singapore-based investors
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptionally broad range of markets and asset classes worldwide.
- Advanced professional-grade tools through Trader Workstation.
- Competitive cost structure for sophisticated active investors.
- Strong choice for Singapore-based investors wanting genuinely global diversification.
Cons
- Trader Workstation can be complex for new investors.
- Learning curve is steeper than beginner-oriented platforms like IG or CMC Markets.
- Educational journey is less simplified for first-time users.
Technical Sheet
Swissquote
- Swiss banking-level regulatory and trust profile
- Stocks, ETFs, forex, crypto and CFDs
- Broad multi-asset coverage for diversified investors
- Advanced Trader and mobile app platforms
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High trust profile supported by Swiss banking regulation, plus a MAS licence for Singapore clients.
- Broad asset coverage across investing and trading markets.
- Crypto access complements traditional stocks, ETFs and forex.
- Strong option for investors who value a bank-grade counterparty.
Cons
- Minimum deposit is significantly higher than the other brokers on this list.
- Cost structure may be less attractive for smaller or occasional traders.
- Higher entry threshold reduces accessibility for beginners.
Technical Sheet
Methodology
The CT Advisory24 team selected these five brokers on a single non-negotiable criterion first: an active Capital Markets Services (CMS) Licence issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, verifiable on the MAS Financial Institutions Directory. From that pool, we chose a spread that covers different investor profiles — IG and CMC Markets for platform sophistication and charting depth, OANDA for a long-standing forex-focused track record, Interactive Brokers for genuinely global multi-asset access aimed at more advanced investors, and Swissquote for a bank-grade counterparty with broad asset coverage, at the cost of a much higher minimum deposit. We did not include any broker without confirmable MAS licensing, regardless of its reputation elsewhere, since offering leveraged FX or CFD products to Singapore residents without that licence is not permitted. Details reflect the situation as of writing; MAS licence status, leverage terms, and fees can change, so verify current status directly on the MAS FID register and with the broker before depositing funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is forex and CFD trading legal in Singapore?
How do I check if a broker is genuinely MAS-licensed?
What is the maximum leverage available to retail traders in Singapore?
Should I open an account in SGD to avoid conversion costs?
Does MAS regulation guarantee I won’t lose money?
About the Author – Claudio Tuteri
Economist and Founder of CT Advisory24, an independent project focused on broker analysis, financial education, and transparent comparison of online trading platforms.
Claudio defines the evaluation methodology, reviews broker rankings, and ensures consistency across analyses based on regulation, costs, platform quality, and investor protection.