How To Buy Cryptocurrency In Singapore

Thinking about dipping your toes into crypto but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. With more than 20,000 digital currencies in circulation and new platforms popping up in Singapore, figuring out how to buy cryptocurrency or how to invest in crypto can feel overwhelming. 

This guide breaks it down step by step — from choosing your first coin and where to buy it, to payment methods, storage, and beginner-friendly strategies.

Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that works like money but isn’t issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) or any central bank. Instead, it runs on blockchain — a decentralised ledger that makes transactions transparent and hard to tamper with. Popular picks for Singaporeans learning how to buy cryptocurrency or how to invest in cryptocurrency include Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), though there are thousands of others.

Unlike PayNow or Lazada payments that need banks in the middle, crypto lets users transact directly — often faster and with fewer fees. That’s why more locals are asking “how do I buy cryptocurrency in Singapore?” as they diversify their investments. This guide will show you how to buy and invest safely in Singapore.

Options abound for anyone exploring how to buy crypto in Singapore. Here’s a look at the most popular digital assets:

>> MORE: Best crypto exchanges in Singapore (2025)

Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin remains the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation in Singapore, with a reputation for long-term growth potential. Despite dropping from its all-time high of US$1.9 trillion in late 2024 to today’s US$1.64 trillion, 

Bitcoin’s adoption shows no signs of slowing down. Investors learning how to invest in cryptocurrency often start here, whether through direct purchase on exchanges or via Bitcoin ETFs, which trade like regular stocks.

Ethereum (ETH)

Launched in 2015, Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency worldwide. Unlike Bitcoin, its supply isn’t capped, and its blockchain powers smart contracts and decentralised apps (dApps). For anyone new and wondering how to invest in cryptocurrency for beginners, Ethereum is often recommended for its utility and widespread adoption. ETH can also be traded through licensed brokerages in Singapore like moomoo or POEMS.

Altcoins

Beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, altcoins like XRP, Litecoin (LTC), Cardano (ADA), and Solana (SOL) are popular among Singaporean investors. Note that smaller altcoins may not always be available on major exchanges like Coinhako or Binance. 

When asking yourself “how can I invest in cryptocurrency?”, consider whether you want exposure to proven giants or emerging projects with higher risk but potentially higher returns.

Since crypto is highly volatile, define your investment goals early. Are you looking for long-term price appreciation to diversify your portfolio, or are you more interested in blockchain’s potential for decentralised finance (DeFi) applications?

Centralised cryptocurrency exchange or your friendly neighbourhood bank? Let’s explore all the ways you can buy crypto in Singapore.

Overview of regulated cryptocurrency providers in Singapore

As of 2025, Singapore has over 33 major payment institutions with digital payment token service licences. Recent approvals for Anchorage Digital and BitGo, plus in-principal approvals for Gemini, highlight the country’s growing crypto ecosystem.

Centralised exchanges: Great for beginners 

Centralised exchanges work a lot like online brokerages — user-friendly, accessible, and with varying fees. They’re often the first stop for those exploring how to invest in cryptocurrency for beginners.

But keep in mind: centralised platforms are prime targets for hackers due to the volume of funds flowing through them. For example, in late 2024, BitKeep, a Singapore-based wallet provider, lost US$10 million to a security breach.

Popular crypto exchanges in Singapore

Exchanges differ in fees, usability, and the number of tokens offered:

• Luno: Known for its simple interface and strong customer service.

• Coinbase: Established exchange supporting 90+ tokens, plus recurring purchase automation.

• Coinhako, Gemini, Kraken, Huobi: Other favourites for local investors.

For those asking “how can I invest in cryptocurrency directly from others?”, peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms like Huobi and Binance allow buyers and sellers to transact directly, often with more privacy and payment flexibility.

All-in-one exchanges: Trade traditional assets and crypto

If you’re already trading stocks, you may prefer an integrated platform:

• Moomoo: Trade Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Polkadot (DOT), Cardano (ADA).

• Interactive Brokers: Offers Bitcoin trading for Singapore users.

This option is ideal for investors learning how to buy crypto while managing a diversified portfolio of both equities and digital assets.

Other ways to buy crypto

Singapore banned Bitcoin ATMs in 2022, so you won’t find those around anymore. Instead, the DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx) is the main non-exchange method. DBS Wealth Management clients can trade Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and Cardano (ADA) directly.

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Pay with fiat currency

Most first-time crypto traders will pay for their cryptocurrency using traditional fiat currencies like the Singapore dollar (SGD) or the US dollar (USD). Coinhako users, for instance, will be able to trade crypto against the Singapore dollar, whereas the DBS Digital Exchange only allows for crypto to be traded against the US dollar. 

Pay with crypto

More than familiar with crypto? If you already own crypto, you can use it to trade for other cryptocurrencies. Known as swapping, this will sometimes incur a fee. For example, Coinhako charges a flat fee of 0.60% for buy, sell and swap orders. Do note that not all cryptocurrencies can be directly swapped.

Costs and fees to keep in mind

• Most exchanges allow for bank transfers as well as debit or credit card payments. Some also provide for FAST (Fast and Secure Transfers), an electronic funds transfer service that works on a near-instantaneous basis.   

• Fees for trading, deposit and withdrawing crypto may apply. Review all payments before proceeding and check for payment methods that may be eligible for complimentary transactions. For instance, FAST transfers for withdrawal and deposit fees are free on Gemini. In contrast, Coinhako offers free FAST transfers for deposits but charges $2 per FAST transfer for withdrawals. 

• According to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), crypto is defined as digital payment tokens. They are also exempt from Goods & Services Taxes (GST) if exchanged for fiat currency or other digital payment tokens. In other words, you won’t have to worry about paying taxes for crypto gains in Singapore, as an individual investor.

>> MORE: 9 best cryptocurrencies with market caps above $10 billion

When you learn how to buy cryptocurrency in Singapore, the next critical step is figuring out where to store it. Unlike money in a bank account, crypto is secured by a private key — a unique code that unlocks a virtual vault holding your digital assets. Lose it, or let someone else access it, and you lose your funds. That’s why wallets are essential for anyone looking at how to invest in crypto safely.

Security should be a top priority, especially with scams on the rise. In 2024 alone, over S$1.1 billion in scam losses were reported in Singapore, and one in four cases involved crypto. Victims lost anywhere from millions in phishing scams to hundreds of millions via malware attacks.

Hot wallets

Hot wallets, also called online or software wallets, are built into centralised exchanges. They’re connected to the internet, making them convenient for frequent transactions and even earning staking or rewards points. If you’re just starting out and asking how to invest in cryptocurrency for beginners, hot wallets may feel like the easiest option.

But convenience comes with risk. Because they’re online, hot wallets are vulnerable if an exchange is hacked or your login credentials are compromised.

Cold wallets

Cold wallets, on the other hand, are offline devices that store your private keys away from the internet. They’re considered the gold standard for anyone serious about how to invest in cryptocurrency for the long term. By keeping your keys offline, you make it virtually impossible for hackers to access your funds.

The trade-off? Cold wallets can be less convenient if you make frequent trades, since they require physical setup each time. Still, for larger holdings, they’re worth the extra step. 

Buying and storing coins isn’t the only part of your journey. Once you’ve figured out how to invest in cryptocurrency, it’s worth looking at strategies and earning methods that can help maximise your returns or reduce costs.

Volume-based pricing

Some exchanges offer reduced trading fees for high-volume traders. Known as volume-based pricing, this structure rewards active users who make large or frequent trades. For advanced investors exploring how to invest in crypto more efficiently, understanding fee tiers can significantly impact long-term costs. For example, Coinbase Advanced Trade provides lower fees the more you trade.

Cryptocurrency mining

Mining remains one of the earliest methods of earning crypto. It involves using specialised hardware to solve complex mathematical problems that validate transactions on the blockchain. Successful miners are rewarded with newly minted cryptocurrency.

Mining requires significant upfront investment in equipment, electricity, and cooling systems — making it less beginner-friendly. Still, it’s an important concept for those asking “how can I invest in cryptocurrency beyond buying?”, as mining contributes directly to blockchain security.

Staking and lockups

For those preferring passive income, staking and lockups are popular. By holding or “locking up” a certain amount of cryptocurrency in a wallet or on a platform, you support the blockchain’s operations. In return, you earn rewards — typically additional coins.

Staking is a common feature on exchanges like Crypto.com, Coinhako, and Binance. It’s particularly attractive for beginners searching how to invest in cryptocurrency for beginners, as it doesn’t require technical setup. Instead, you simply commit your coins for a set period, accept the lockup conditions, and enjoy interest-like returns.

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Once you’ve learned the basics of how to buy cryptocurrency and tried your hand at trading, you may want to explore advanced tools that can optimise strategies and improve decision-making. 

These tools are especially valuable for experienced users asking how to invest in crypto with more precision.

Many exchanges now integrate charting platforms like TradingView, offering sophisticated analysis features such as:

• EMA (Exponential Moving Average): Helps spot market trends faster than simple moving averages.

• MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence): Tracks momentum shifts to identify buy or sell signals.

• RSI (Relative Strength Index): Highlights whether an asset is overbought or oversold.

• Bollinger Bands: Useful for analysing price volatility and potential breakout points.

For those exploring how can I invest in cryptocurrency beyond just buying and holding, these tools provide valuable insights into timing, volatility, and entry/exit strategies. Platforms like Coinbase Advanced Trade and Binance Pro cater to this segment, making it easier to bridge the gap between beginner-friendly trading and professional-level analysis.

Almost anyone can buy crypto today, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for everyone. Before diving in, think about your overall financial plan and where crypto fits into your goals. If you’re asking yourself how to invest in cryptocurrency for beginners, the first step is assessing whether this volatile asset class matches your risk appetite.

Volatility and regulation

Cryptocurrency is highly volatile, and regulations are still developing. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) often points to the collapse of several crypto firms during the 2022 “crypto winter” as a reminder of the risks and the need for consumer safeguards. Unlike bank deposits, which are insured by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC) up to S$100,000, crypto has no such safety net.

>> MORE: Cryptocurrency staking: How much you stand to gain (and the risks involved)

Portfolio allocation and risk tolerance

A common rule of thumb is to keep high-risk assets like crypto to no more than 10% of your portfolio. Ask yourself: can you afford to lose some or all of this investment? Clarifying your risk tolerance is key before deciding how to buy cryptocurrency or how much to allocate.

Time horizon: Active vs passive investing

Are you an active investor who monitors markets daily and makes fast moves, or are you more comfortable holding for the long term? Active strategies resemble day trading, while passive investors may prefer buying and holding or using strategies like dollar-cost averaging (DCA). DCA lets you invest a fixed sum at regular intervals, reducing volatility over time — a practical method for anyone learning how to invest in crypto in uncertain markets.

Start small

You don’t need to commit a fortune to get started. Even small amounts can expose you to the market while limiting your downside risk. And remember — Bitcoin’s journey from being worth two pizzas in 2010 to over US$800 million for 10,000 BTC today shows just how unpredictable this asset class can be.

>> MORE: 6 best ways to invest in cryptocurrency on a S$1,000 budget

Crypto can play a role in a diversified portfolio, but only if you approach it with a clear plan, realistic expectations, and a willingness to stomach risk. For most investors, it’s better to start small, learn the ropes, and treat crypto as a complement — not the core — of your investments.