Bitget confirms no MAS license as Singapore access stays restricted

Crypto exchange Bitget has issued a formal notice stating that it does not hold a license, approval, registration or authorization from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Summary

• Bitget says Singapore remains restricted because the exchange lacks licensing, approval, or authorization from MAS.
• MAS lists Bitget on its Investor Alert List, which identifies entities possibly mistaken as regulated.
• Bitget continues seeking regulated growth elsewhere, including through its pending MiCAR authorization application in Austria.

The company also confirmed that it does not offer or target its services to people in Singapore and restricts access to its platform from the country.

The notice, dated July 21, comes as Bitget continues expanding into other markets under separate regulatory systems. CEO Gracy Chen said, "As Bitget continues to expand globally, we will remain committed to meeting local regulatory requirements and building a trusted platform for our users."

Bitget confirms Singapore remains a restricted market

In its official notice, Bitget said Singapore remains one of the prohibited countries listed in its terms of use. The exchange added that nothing published through its website, apps or social media should be viewed as an offer or invitation aimed at Singapore residents.

Bitget also stated that MAS does not supervise the platform. The regulator currently includes Bitget on its Investor Alert List, which identifies entities that members of the public could wrongly believe hold authorization or regulatory approval in Singapore. Inclusion on the list does not by itself amount to an enforcement finding or a determination of wrongdoing.

Singapore has tightened its rules for digital asset businesses in recent years. MAS introduced a licensing framework for digital token service providers operating from Singapore and serving customers outside the country, with the rules taking effect on June 30, 2025. The regulator said it would generally issue such licenses only in limited cases because of cross-border money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

As crypto.news previously reported, Bitget and Bybit were among the firms expected to reorganize parts of their Singapore operations after the regulatory changes. Reports at the time said Bitget intended to move some Singapore-based staff to locations such as Dubai or Hong Kong, although the company declined to confirm those plans.

MAS continues separating licensed and unlicensed platforms

Bitget's clarification comes as MAS continues using its Investor Alert List to distinguish regulated businesses from platforms without local authorization. In June 2026, the regulator also added Hyperliquid to the list.

MAS said the list serves as a consumer information measure for entities that could be wrongly viewed as licensed. Hyperliquid responded by stating that it had never claimed to hold approval from the regulator.

Meanwhile, Singapore continues granting licenses to companies that meet its requirements. Firms including Coinbase, OKX, Bitstamp and QCP Trading have obtained approvals for specific regulated digital asset activities. These licenses apply to the approved entities and services rather than the wider crypto industry.

Bitget's latest statement makes its own position clear. The company said, "Bitget is not licensed, approved, registered, authorized or in any other way regulated" by MAS. It also said it does not solicit or target people in Singapore.

However, the exchange continues seeking regulatory approval in other markets. Bitget EU submitted an application for authorization under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation to Austria's Financial Market Authority.

The application remains under review. Bitget has said that its timing, scope and outcome depend on the Austrian regulator's assessment, meaning the filing itself does not amount to regulatory approval.

Bitget continues expansion under separate local rules

Bitget has continued expanding its products while applying different access rules across jurisdictions. The Singapore notice shows that its wider international strategy does not mean every product is available in every market.

The exchange has also expanded into tokenized financial assets. As previously reported, Bitget launched its Reality platform in May, offering tokenized exposure to selected U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds through blockchain-based products backed by underlying assets.

At the same time, regulatory authorization remains jurisdiction-specific. A pending MiCAR application in Austria does not provide approval in Singapore, while Singapore restrictions do not determine Bitget's status in countries where other legal entities operate under separate rules.

Chen said the exchange would continue focusing on "meeting local regulatory requirements" as it grows internationally. The statement comes as Bitget publicly separates its global expansion plans from jurisdictions where it does not hold the required local authorization.

For Singapore users, Bitget's latest position is direct. The exchange says Singapore remains a restricted jurisdiction, local residents are not its target customers, and MAS does not regulate or supervise the platform. The notice gives users a clear statement of that status as Singapore continues enforcing its digital asset licensing framework.

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