February 22, 2026
10 mins
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February 10, 2026
February 10, 2026
Singapore has earned its reputation as a global crypto hub for good reason. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) runs one of the most sophisticated regulatory frameworks anywhere, balancing innovation with investor protection through the Payment Services Act.
But sophisticated regulations mean you need advisors who actually understand them. This guide helps you find professionals who know Singapore's crypto rules inside out and genuinely work for you.
A crypto advisor helps you make sense of digital asset investments while keeping you compliant with local rules. In Singapore, that means understanding how MAS licenses work, what the Payment Services Act requires, and how the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) treats your crypto holdings.
The good ones explain complex tax treatment in plain language. They help structure your portfolio to avoid regulatory headaches, and they keep you informed when MAS updates its requirements, which happens more often than you'd think.
Start with MAS familiarity. Your advisor doesn't necessarily need a license themselves, but they absolutely must understand the Payment Services Act framework. If they're vague about licensing requirements, that's a red flag.
Professional credentials matter too. Look for CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), or membership in the Financial Planning Association of Singapore. These aren't guarantees of crypto expertise, but they show professional commitment.
That being said, a wall full of certificates means nothing without hands-on Singapore crypto experience. You want someone who's got real-life experience helping clients navigate MAS requirements, not just read about them. For background on how Singapore treats crypto taxation, see our guide on crypto tax rates in Singapore.
The MAS Financial Institutions Directory is your starting point. It lists licensed crypto service providers, giving you a baseline of regulated firms.
Singapore's crypto scene is surprisingly connected. Attend a few blockchain events, and you'll start recognising the same faces, which is actually helpful. The professionals who show up consistently tend to be the ones who know what they're doing.
Professional associations like FPAS also maintain member directories. These organisations require ongoing education, which helps separate committed professionals from opportunists jumping on crypto hype.
Pull up the MAS Financial Institutions Directory before you commit to anyone. If an advisor's firm holds a Major Payment Institution or Standard Payment Institution license, that confirms they've passed MAS scrutiny.
Don't just take their word for it. The directory is public, so check it yourself. Whilst you're there, look for any enforcement actions or compliance issues listed against the firm.
The Financial Planning Association of Singapore and Singapore Financial Advisers Association keep directories of qualified members. Membership isn't mandatory, but it signals professional standards.
These associations also handle complaints. If something goes wrong, you have formal channels to address it rather than just leaving a bad review online.
CFP certification requires serious work, which includes education, exams, experience, and ongoing learning. The Financial Planning Standards Board sets global standards.
A CFP who specialises in crypto brings solid financial planning foundations plus digital asset expertise. That combination helps with the big picture, not just chasing the next token trend.
Singapore hosts massive events like the Singapore FinTech Festival and Token2049. Go to these. You'll meet advisors, hear them speak, and get a feel for who actually knows what they’re talking about.
Face-to-face interactions trump LinkedIn profiles. These allow you to ask direct questions, gauge their communication style, and see how they respond to tough queries from the audience.
Ask around your professional circles. Who's using a crypto advisor? Are they happy? What specific help did they get?
Word-of-mouth referrals in Singapore's business community carry weight. People protect their reputations here, so recommendations tend to be genuine.
Online reviews aren't perfect, but patterns emerge. Look for specific stories of people who say things such as "helped me structure my DeFi holdings for tax efficiency" instead of "great service!"
If you can’t find any reviews at all of someone claiming years of experience, that might be a red flag. On the other hand, someone with only glowing testimonials from partners is also suspicious. You want balanced, detailed client feedback. Check out the top careers in crypto in Singapore to better understand the kinds of people working in this space.
Test their knowledge with specific questions. What does the Payment Services Act require? Which activities trigger licensing? How do AML/CFT rules apply to different crypto operations?
You'll quickly discover who is experienced in working with these regulations daily, versus who skimmed a blog post. References to specific MAS notices and guidelines signal real expertise. If you're interested in risk-focused roles, explore our guide on crypto risk analyst opportunities in Singapore.
Ask them to walk through their approach. How do they help clients balance crypto against traditional investments? What custody solutions do they recommend? How do they handle rebalancing when crypto swings wildly?
Anyone can read about portfolio theory. You want someone who's managed crypto allocations through market crashes and rallies.
This matters more than most people realise. Is this person legally obligated to put your interests first? Or can they recommend products that earn them higher commissions?
Get fee structures in writing, as well as hourly rates, percentage of assets, and fixed project fees. You need clarity upfront. Hidden fees and vague pricing suggest problems ahead.
Relationships with MAS-licensed platforms aren't just networking; they provide market intelligence. Advisors connected with licensed exchanges hear about regulatory changes, platform updates, and market shifts earlier.
But what’s really crucial is that those relationships shouldn't dictate recommendations. Your advisor should suggest platforms based on your needs, not their partnerships. If they only recommend one exchange regardless of circumstances, ask why. Explore our crypto trader opportunities in Singapore guide to see the trading landscape.
Crypto's volatile and hacks happen. How does your potential advisor help clients manage these realities?
They should discuss position sizing, diversification beyond crypto, custody security, and what to do when markets panic. If they only talk about upside potential, run.
Singapore doesn't tax most capital gains, but that doesn't mean crypto is tax-free. If you’re trading as a business, you're paying tax. If you’re receiving crypto as payment, that's income.
Your advisor needs to understand IRAS guidance on digital payment tokens. When does investing become trading? How should different crypto activities get classified? These distinctions matter for your tax bill. For specialised accounting support, see our guide on finding crypto accountants in Singapore.
Don't hire anyone before asking about:
Regulation: How familiar are you with the Payment Services Act? Can you explain the MAS licensing categories? How do you stay current with regulatory changes?
Experience: How many crypto clients have you advised? Any references I can contact? What's your experience with situations like mine?
Services: What exactly do you offer? What's outside your expertise? How do you charge, and what's included?
Taxes: How do you handle IRAS reporting? When does crypto activity become taxable here? What about my specific crypto operations?
Conflicts: Do exchanges or token projects pay you for recommendations? What relationships might affect your advice?
Pay attention not just to answers, but to how they answer. Defensive reactions to reasonable questions suggest problems.
Singapore's crypto regulatory environment rewards expertise and punishes assumptions. The framework is sophisticated, which means navigating it properly requires professional help.
But not all advisors are created equal. Take time verifying credentials, testing knowledge, and checking references. The difference between good and mediocre advice compounds significantly over time.
MAS continues refining its approach. Your advisor needs to track these changes actively, not scramble to catch up after new rules drop.
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This article is for educational purposes only. It is a general guide for founders and users navigating the Web3 space. It does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.If you want to learn more about raising funds or which IDOs to look into, our team is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram at any time.
