Updated: 21 Jan 2026
In providing the above information, SingSaver is carrying out introducing activities on behalf of financial advisers. SingSaver is not to be construed as in any way engaging or being involved in the distribution or sale of any financial product or assuming any risk or undertaking any liability in respect of any financial product. Neither singsaver.com.sg or the content on it is intended as securities brokerage or investment advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. The content on singsaver.com.sg is for general information purposes only and does not review or include all available companies, products or offers. SingSaver may receive compensation from the brands providing the offers or services appearing on this website. Remember that CFDs are a leveraged product and can result in the loss of your entire capital. Trading CFDs may not be suitable for some investors. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved. The listed provider is licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
In providing the above information, SingSaver is carrying out introducing activities on behalf of financial advisers. SingSaver is not to be construed as in any way engaging or being involved in the distribution or sale of any financial product or assuming any risk or undertaking any liability in respect of any financial product. Neither singsaver.com.sg or the content on it is intended as securities brokerage or investment advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. The content on singsaver.com.sg is for general information purposes only and does not review or include all available companies, products or offers. SingSaver may receive compensation from the brands providing the offers or services appearing on this website. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
In providing the above information, SingSaver is carrying out introducing activities on behalf of financial advisers. SingSaver is not to be construed as in any way engaging or being involved in the distribution or sale of any financial product or assuming any risk or undertaking any liability in respect of any financial product. Neither singsaver.com.sg or the content on it is intended as securities brokerage or investment advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. The content on singsaver.com.sg is for general information purposes only and does not review or include all available companies, products or offers. SingSaver may receive compensation from the brands providing the offers or services appearing on this website. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
In providing the above information, SingSaver is carrying out introducing activities on behalf of financial advisers. SingSaver is not to be construed as in any way engaging or being involved in the distribution or sale of any financial product or assuming any risk or undertaking any liability in respect of any financial product. Neither singsaver.com.sg or the content on it is intended as securities brokerage or investment advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. The content on singsaver.com.sg is for general information purposes only and does not review or include all available companies, products or offers. SingSaver may receive compensation from the brands providing the offers or services appearing on this website. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
In providing the above information, SingSaver is carrying out introducing activities on behalf of financial advisers. SingSaver is not to be construed as in any way engaging or being involved in the distribution or sale of any financial product or assuming any risk or undertaking any liability in respect of any financial product. Neither singsaver.com.sg or the content on it is intended as securities brokerage or investment advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. The content on singsaver.com.sg is for general information purposes only and does not review or include all available companies, products or offers. SingSaver may receive compensation from the brands providing the offers or services appearing on this website. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
CMC Markets Singapore Pte. Ltd. Co. Reg. No./UEN 200605050E ("CMC Markets"). Regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (CMSL No: 100063). See risk warning/disclosures and other important information (including the applicable terms of business) at our website: Home. Singsaver is our paid affiliate marketing partner.
The Information provided is not to be regarded as an offer, a solicitation or an invitation to deal in any investment product or an advice or a recommendation with respect to any investment product, and does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Contracts for Difference (“CFDs”) are leveraged products and carry a high level of risk to your capital as prices may move rapidly against you. Losses can exceed your deposits and you may be required to make further payments. Countdowns carry a level of risk to your capital as you could lose all of your investment. Invest only what you can afford to lose. These products may not be suitable for all clients therefore ensure you understand the risks and seek independent advice. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Finding the best CFD broker in Singapore for your needs? Check out the unique features of each platform here:
CMC Markets: Offers a diverse range of CFD instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, coupled with competitive spreads and high-quality research tools.
IG: A well-established global broker with a strong reputation for its excellent customer service and comprehensive market analysis, providing valuable insights for CFD traders.
OANDA: Provides a user-friendly platform with transparent pricing and reliable execution, appealing to traders who prioritize a straightforward trading experience.
Plus500: Offers a simple and intuitive platform that's particularly well-suited for experienced investors, alongside a diverse selection of CFDs and risk management tools.
|
Broker |
MAS Regulation |
Min. commission fee |
Min. deposit (SGD) |
Days to open account |
Assets |
|
Forex.com |
Yes |
$0 |
S$150 |
Same day (Instant via MyInfo) |
5,500+ (FX, Indices, Stocks, Commodities) |
|
CMC Markets |
Yes |
$0 (FX/Indices/Comm); 0.08% / S$10 (Stocks) |
S$0 |
1-2 business days |
12,000+ (FX, Stocks, Indices, Treasuries) |
|
IG |
Yes |
$0 (FX/Indices/Comm); 0.1% (Stocks) |
S$0 |
Same day (Instant via MyInfo) |
17,000+ (FX, Stocks, Indices, Options, Bonds) |
|
OANDA |
Yes |
$0 (Standard Account) / Spread-based |
S$0 |
Same day (Instant via MyInfo) |
1,500+ (FX, Indices, Metals, Bonds) |
|
Plus500 |
Yes |
$0 (All assets; fee is built into the spread) |
S$200 (Card) / S$500 (PayNow) |
1-2 business days |
2,800+ (FX, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Options) |
|
Saxo |
Yes |
0.04% – 0.08% / S$1 – S$15 (Tiers apply) |
S$0 (Classic Tier) |
Same day (Instant via MyInfo) |
71,000+ (CFDs, Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds) |
CFD stands for Contract for Difference. It's a financial instrument regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) that lets you speculate on price movements of various assets like shares, indices, forex, and commodities without actually owning them. Essentially, you're entering a contract with a CFD trading broker to settle the difference between an asset's opening and closing price.
Key Features:
Leverage: Amplify your potential profits (and losses) with borrowed funds. This allows you to control a larger position with a smaller initial investment.
No Ownership of Underlying Asset: Trade on price movements without owning the underlying asset, providing flexibility and access to a wider range of markets.
At its core, CFDs are relatively simple financial instruments. After all, you’re just speculating the direction and degree to which an asset’s price will move. For every point that the price moves, you make a gain or loss multiplied by the number of units that you have purchased or sold.
CFDs also complement your existing investment portfolio by hedging against losses. For example, you can turn a profit by making a short CFD trade in Business X should you hold its shares, while believing that they will lose value soon and will take some time to recover.
CFD brokers in Singapore offer access to a wide range of asset classes, allowing traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying assets. If you’re new to CFD trading, understanding what’s available — and how each product behaves — is just as important as choosing a regulated broker.
Share CFDs allow you to trade individual stocks without buying the actual shares. You can take positions on well-known companies listed in Singapore, the US, and other global markets, and potentially profit whether prices rise or fall.
ETF CFDs track funds that mirror indices, sectors, or commodities. Trading CFDs on ETFs gives you diversified exposure — for example, to technology stocks or emerging markets — without having to buy the actual ETF units.
Bond and treasury CFDs let you trade interest rate movements by speculating on government debt instruments such as US Treasuries or German Bunds. These are often used by traders looking to hedge or take positions based on macroeconomic trends.
Forex CFDs are among the most commonly traded products. They let you trade currency pairs such as USD/SGD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and JPY crosses. Because the forex market operates almost 24 hours a day and is highly liquid, it’s often the starting point for many CFD traders.
Index CFDs track the performance of a basket of stocks representing a market or sector. Popular examples include the Straits Times Index (STI), S&P 500, NASDAQ, and FTSE 100. These are often used by traders who want broad market exposure instead of betting on individual stocks.
Commodity CFDs let you trade price movements in assets like gold, silver, crude oil, natural gas, and agricultural products. You don’t need to store or handle the physical commodity, making it a more accessible way to gain exposure to global trends of supply and demand.
Some brokers also offer CFDs based on options prices. These products allow you to speculate on option value movements without buying actual option contracts, but they tend to be more complex and are generally better suited to experienced traders.
Sector CFDs focus on specific parts of the economy, such as technology, healthcare, energy, or financial services. They’re useful if you have a strong view on how a particular industry might perform relative to the broader market.
No matter which CFD product you choose, it’s important to understand the risks involved and to trade only through MAS-regulated brokers available to Singapore-based investors.
Only trade with brokers holding a Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This ensures your funds are segregated from the broker's assets and that the platform adheres to strict leverage limits (usually capped at 20:1 for major indices).
A general rule of thumb is to cross-reference any broker's name against the MAS Financial Institutions Directory before depositing a single cent.
Because CFDs are Specified Investment Products (SIPs), MAS requires you to pass a Customer Knowledge Assessment (CKA) before you can start trading. To pass, you typically need one of the following:
Relevant Education: A diploma or degree in a finance-related field.
Work Experience: 3 consecutive years of work in the financial industry.
Trading History: At least 6 CFD trades in the last 3 years.
The e-Learning Option: If you don't meet any of the above, you can complete the ABS-SAS e-Learning module on the Association of Banks in Singapore portal to qualify.
Once you’ve cleared the CKA, you can start setting up your CFD trading account. Most Singaporean brokers offer instant verification via MyInfo (Singpass), allowing you to bypass manual document uploads and get your account approved in minutes rather than days.
Deposit your initial capital using local payment rails like FAST or PayNow for near-instant funding. While some brokers have no requirement, others may require an initial deposit to begin. Always check for any hidden deposit or withdrawal fees before committing.
Before risking real capital, use a Demo Account. Singapore's markets move fast, and CFDs involve ‘marking to market’, where profits and losses are calculated in real-time. Use the demo to understand margin calls, the point where you must add more funds or risk your positions being forcibly closed at a loss.
When you go live, start with a clear Risk Management Plan. Use Stop-Loss orders to cap potential losses and Take-Profit orders to secure gains. Monitor the market closely; unlike traditional stocks, CFD leverage means your losses can exceed your initial deposit if the market swings violently.
CFDs allow for margin trading, meaning you put up a small amount of money that represents the contract’s full value.
CFDs have good synergy with existing investment portfolios, allowing investors to profit even during market downturns.
There is a variety of financial vehicles that allow for CFD trading, including currencies, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and others.
There is no limit to how many trades you can make a day, unlike other markets that might require a certain level of capital or account type.
Spreads can be wide, especially when prices are highly volatile. This causes the trading cost incurred to be high as well.
CFD trading is poorly regulated, causing this investment to be banned for retail investors in the USA.
There are usually two fees that you have to pay for trading CFDs: Spread (akin to spreads in Forex trading) and holding fee (charged when you hold an open position past a certain time every day)
Margin and leverage are two sides of the same coin in CFD trading. Margin is the amount you put down to open a position, while leverage allows you to control a larger position with that margin, magnifying both potential profits and losses.
Margin is essentially a good faith deposit you provide to your CFD trading broker to open and maintain a position. It represents a percentage of the total value of your trade. This percentage, known as the margin requirement, varies depending on the asset you're trading and the broker's policies. For example, if the margin requirement for a particular trade is 10% and you want to open a position worth $10,000, you'll need to put down $1,000 as margin.
Leverage allows you to control a larger position with a smaller initial outlay. It's the ratio of the total value of your position to your margin. In the example above, with a 10% margin requirement, you have a leverage of 10:1. This means that for every $1 of your own money, you can control $10 worth of the asset. While leverage can magnify your profits, it also magnifies your losses, potentially exceeding your initial investment. Therefore, it's crucial to use leverage responsibly and implement appropriate risk management strategies.
The best CFD broker for you will depend on your individual needs and trading style. Here's what to consider before choosing:
For the cautious beginner: Look for CFD brokers in Singapore licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This ensures your funds are protected and the broker adheres to strict local standards, providing a safe and reliable trading environment.
For the international trader: If you plan to trade derivatives in multiple markets, consider brokers regulated in other major jurisdictions like the UK (FCA) or Australia (ASIC), in addition to MAS, for broader protection.
Trading small amounts? Prioritise brokers with low minimum deposit requirements and no inactivity fees. Commission-free trading on certain assets can also be beneficial.
Trading large amounts? Focus on tight spreads, especially if you're a frequent trader. Negotiate lower commission rates if possible. Consider brokers offering VIP accounts with preferential pricing for high-volume traders.
For the forex specialist: Choose a broker with a wide range of currency pairs, competitive spreads, and advanced charting tools specifically for forex trading.
For the diversified trader: Opt for a broker offering CFDs on a variety of asset classes, including indices, commodities, shares, and cryptocurrencies, to expand your trading opportunities.
For the beginner: Prioritise a user-friendly platform with intuitive navigation, educational resources, and demo accounts to practice trading.
CFD trading bears a higher risk compared to other investments because you have to utilise margin trading for the most part. CFDs are also speculative in nature. Furthermore, since you have not actually purchased the contract’s underlying assets, you need to determine what rights you have.
On the other hand, CFD trading gives you the opportunity to diversify your portfolio and hedge against any potential losses. You’re given access to markets across the globe and aren’t just limited to Singaporean or even Asian financial instruments.
When you purchase stocks, you have to take ownership of the stocks, be it in your custodian or CDP account. When you trade a CFD, you do not own the underlying shares. Rather, you speculate on the share price by buying a contract between you and the CFD provider.
When trading CFDs, you also enjoy the use of leverage whereby you do not have to fork out the full market value of the share to make the trade.
Like Forex, you’ll need to pay the spread when trading CFDs. This refers to the difference between the bid and ask price of a CFD; it can vary from one asset to another depending on their volatility. Most brokers also charge a holding fee should you keep a position open overnight due to changing interest rates.
While CFDs offer exciting opportunities, it's crucial to understand the associated risks:
High Leverage Risk: Leverage can magnify both profits and losses. Even small market movements can result in significant gains or losses, potentially exceeding your initial investment. It's essential to use leverage cautiously and implement appropriate risk management strategies.
Market Volatility: CFD prices closely follow the underlying asset's price movements, which can be volatile. Rapid price fluctuations can lead to substantial losses, especially for leveraged positions. Always stay informed and closely monitor your trades.
Counterparty Risk: When trading CFDs, you're essentially entering a contract with the broker.
There's a risk that the broker may default on its obligations, particularly if it's not well-regulated or financially stable. Always choose a trusted and regulated CFD trading broker in Singapore that is licensed by the MAS.
You can verify a broker's MAS regulation by checking the Financial Institutions Directory on the MAS website. Look for the broker's name or license number to confirm their regulatory status. Most brokers will also display their MAS license information on their website.
CFD trading is fast-paced and can be applied to almost any financial instrument. Therefore, you might want to start by demo trading for several months to learn the ropes and get used to your preferred broker’s features and tools.
Take this time to determine which financial instruments you would like to trade CFDs in and see how you can weave this into your investment portfolio as a whole.