Capital.com Secures MAS Licence for Strategic Singapore Expansion

Capital.com has secured a Capital Markets Services licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), marking its first entry into Southeast Asia. For fintech professionals, this move signals a major expansion of the trading platform's global footprint into a high-standard regulatory hub, positioning it to compete in one of the world's most sophisticated financial markets.

What was announced

The local entity, Capital Com Securities (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., has been granted a licence to deal in capital markets products, specifically covering securities and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contracts. While the group has already established a physical presence with an office at 9 Battery Road in Raffles Place, client onboarding is not scheduled to begin until early 2027. This lead time is being utilized by the Singapore team to prepare the platform and local services to meet specific regulatory and operational requirements.

The Singapore operations will be led by Tony Lim, who joins as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. Lim brings more than 30 years of experience in the local capital markets, having previously held roles at the Singapore International Monetary Exchange (SIMEX), Singapore Exchange (SGX), and DBS Vickers Securities, as well as serving as CEO of IG Asia. Under his leadership, the Singapore entity will integrate local infrastructure such as Singpass MyInfo for identity verification and mandatory two-factor authentication at sign-in.

The platform is designed to differentiate itself through a "noise reduction" strategy, combining market information and educational content with risk-management tools like stop-loss orders. The company will begin building its local presence by participating in the Singapore FinTech Festival from 18 to 20 November, focusing on establishing relationships within the regional financial services ecosystem.

"Singapore sets a high bar for how financial services are delivered, and the MAS licensing process examines every part of a firm’s governance, controls and capital. Holding a licence here means operating to that standard locally, with supervision of how we onboard clients, communicate risk and safeguard client assets. This licence affirms how we approach new markets, in step with local regulation and with a focus on sustainable, long-term growth. Our Singapore entity joins a group of regulated businesses built on the same principle, that access to markets should come with the structure and transparency people need to make informed decisions."

Valentina Rzheutskaya, Executive Director, Capital.com

The companies involved

Founded in 2016, Capital.com is a global financial group that operates a technology-led trading platform. The company has a established history of entering new markets under local regulation, holding licences in the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. Its expansion into Singapore represents its first regulatory foothold in Southeast Asia. Capital.com has been the subject of 15 reports by FF News, reflecting its active role in the global fintech landscape and its consistent expansion across diverse jurisdictions.

The appointment of Tony Lim as CEO of the Singapore entity is a strategic hire, drawing on his extensive background at major institutions like Saxo Capital Markets and the Singapore Exchange. The Singapore office will house a full suite of local capabilities, including compliance, operations, client services, and marketing. This structure aligns with the group's broader practice of building regulated businesses that emphasize transparency and decision-support tools for traders and investors.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has tracked Capital.com’s global growth and market performance extensively. In July 2026, the publication reported that Gold Dominates Retail Trading as Capital.com Reports $1.13 Trillion Q2 Volume, highlighting the scale of the group's operations. The firm has also been active in diversifying its regulatory permissions elsewhere; in August 2026, Capital.com Expands to UAE Virtual Assets Following Full CMA Licence Approval. Beyond product launches, the group has also engaged in market research, such as when UK Savers Face Investment Anxiety Despite Understanding the 'Cost of Cash', Capital.com Study Reveals, which examined the psychological barriers to retail investing.

What this means

Securing an MAS licence is a significant milestone that serves as a badge of institutional quality in the global trading sector. By entering Singapore, Capital.com is directly challenging established incumbents like IG and Saxo on their home turf, notably by hiring away top-tier local leadership. The decision to delay onboarding until 2027 suggests a cautious, compliance-first approach that prioritizes long-term stability over a quick market grab. However, the retail trading sector in Southeast Asia is becoming increasingly crowded; the real test will be whether Capital.com’s "noise reduction" and educational focus can successfully convert sophisticated Singaporean investors who are already well-served by local and international giants.