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50+ jurisdictions · activeCompliance feed · 14 updatesv 2026.05
INNOVAINNOVA
Licensing — MSB / VASP / EMI · Singapore

Crypto exchange in Singapore

Licences for centralised exchanges

  • Handled locally — the INNOVA Singapore desk.
  • The same partner — banking, tax and compliance after registration.
  • One named partner — 24-hour SLA.
  • Regulator-grade documentation from the first filing.
Singapore desk · 2026Licensing — MSB / VASP / EMI
Timeline
1 month
start to finish
Cost
From US$ 18,000
depends on jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Singapore
Singapore · partner office · since 2019
▸ About this service

What is crypto exchange in Singapore?

Crypto exchange is one of 8 parts of our “Licensing — MSB / VASP / EMI” practice. It covers the full cycle from initial scoping to operational launch, run by a single named partner from our Singapore desk.

What it is in Singapore: licences for centralised exchanges. For foreign shareholders without a local director, a nominee director is generally required. PSA licensing for fintech operators is a separate track, with its own nuances.

▸ In detail

How we handle crypto exchange

The “Crypto exchange” project in Singapore is structured as a 4-stage process run by a single named partner.

Fintech, crypto, EMI, and payments licences across Canada, the UK, UAE, Estonia, and Singapore — application through to regulator onboarding.

The same desk that runs crypto exchange handles your banking, bookkeeping, compliance and — where needed — your wind-down.INNOVA · Operating model
▸ Jurisdiction

Why Singapore

Singapore is the operating hub of the Asia-Pacific region, with territorial taxation, a strong regulator (MAS), and the rule of law. Our priority for structures focused on Southeast Asia and for fintech licensing under the PSA.

01 · Advantage

A reliable regulatory environment

For foreign shareholders without a local director, a nominee director is generally required. PSA licensing for fintech operators is a separate track, with its own nuances.
02 · Advantage

Banking ecosystem

DBS, OCBC, UOB, plus international banks (Standard Chartered, HSBC). Onboarding is manageable with the right ownership structuring and documentation.
03 · Advantage

Corporate tax 17% (effectively lower with reliefs)

The real tax position depends on the structure — we model it before registration.
04 · Advantage

INNOVA desk on the ground

Singapore · partner office · since 2019
▸ Why us

Why INNOVA

Operational differences that hold up on the 2nd, 5th and 10th project — not just at first impression.

01

One partner — the whole cycle

Registration, banking, tax, compliance, immigration — run by one team from start to finish.

02

14 years of practice

Working since 2012 through several regulatory cycles — including FATCA/CRS, the tightening of banking, and the introduction of UAE CT.

03

Regulator-grade documentation

Every output document is ready for audit and investor scrutiny — whatever the size of the deal.

04

Multi-jurisdiction within the group

Cross-border work is handled inside the group — no chain of external subcontractors.

▸ Process

How the work is structured

A 4-stage process led by a single named partner — from the intro call to the operational hand-over.

01

Feasibility analysis

Jurisdiction selection and assessment of approval prospects

Result: Feasibility analysis for the licence
10 daysStep 1 of 4
02

Document preparation

Application and supporting documents

Result: Application preparation
3–6 weeksStep 2 of 4
03

Submission and review

The regulator's review process

Result: Beneficial-ownership pack
2–6 monthsStep 3 of 4
04

Post-licence setup

Banking, operating model and monitoring

Result: Business plan and financial model
1 monthStep 4 of 4
▸ Information exchange

What we need from you · what you get from us

What we need from you to begin, and what you receive on completion.

▸ From you
What we need
  • Activity scope + product matrixstructured
  • Beneficial-owner packall UBOs
  • Business plan10–30 pages
  • Financial projections3 years
  • Proof of capitalminimum thresholds
  • Senior-management CVsfit & proper
▸ From us
What you receive
  • Licence issuedin name
  • Regulator approval lettersissued
  • Licence-conditions registertracked
  • Ongoing-reporting calendarset up
  • Bank onboarding initiatedlinked
▸ Engagement formats

Four ways to work together

We don't quote a fixed price without understanding your situation — cost depends on the complexity of your case. Start with a free call, then we pick the right format.

▸ About cost We don't work at dumping rates and we don't publish a fixed price list — every project is scoped individually. The exact price is quoted after the intro call, usually within 24 hours.
▸ Questionnaire

Fill in the questionnaire

Complete the online questionnaire: it creates your account on the portal, where your structure, renewal reminders and documents will live.

Fill in the questionnaire

4 steps · creates an INNOVA portal account · 24h review.

▸ Online · ~5 min
▸ INNOVA portal · what you get

Once you submit the questionnaire we create a portal account. Inside: your live structure, a renewals calendar (annual returns, register updates, tax filings), a document vault (certificates, share register, bank letters), a partner chat and project status. A single place for your entire operational life.

▸ Client review

From a client

A review from a client who went through a comparable project. Verified, the engagement is ongoing.

INNOVA registered our UAE structure, opened the account, arranged the visas and onboarded an accountant in under six weeks. “One partner” isn't marketing: literally one person answers for everything.
AE
Fintech founder
Dubai, UAE · name under NDA
▸ Sector
Fintech
▸ Project
DXB · 14 mo · ongoing
▸ Status
Anonymised · ongoing
▸ FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, an intro call is the fastest way to get an answer.

Most “Crypto exchange” projects in Singapore run from 2 to 8 weeks start to finish. The fastest stage is document filing; the longest is post-registration onboarding (banking, tax registration). A single named partner runs the project throughout.

▸ Jurisdictions

Crypto exchange in other countries

The same service is available across our network.