Singapore Adds Bybit to Investor Alert List
Singapore Adds Bybit to Investor Alert List – MAS Warns Users About Unlicensed Status
Key Takeaways
- The Monetary Authority of Singapore added Bybit Fintech Limited and its platform Bybit to the Investor Alert List on June 17, 2026.
- MAS states that Bybit is not licensed or regulated to provide services accessible to users in Singapore.
- The Investor Alert List is a public warning tool and does not constitute a ban, enforcement action, or scam designation.
- Singapore enforces strict licensing requirements under the Payment Services Act for digital payment token services.
- No immediate trading disruptions on Bybit have been reported following the listing.
MAS Places Bybit on Investor Alert List
On June 17, 2026, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, or MAS, added Bybit Fintech Limited and its platform Bybit to its Investor Alert List. The entry specifies Bybit’s main website and highlights that the exchange is not licensed or regulated by MAS to provide services accessible to users in Singapore.
MAS uses the Investor Alert List to flag entities that may be or may have been wrongly perceived as being licensed or authorised. According to MAS, the list is not exhaustive and is based on information available at the time of publication. The inclusion of a company does not amount to a ban, enforcement action, or a declaration that the entity is a scam.
For users, the listing serves as an official notice that MAS oversight and regulatory protections do not apply to the platform in question.
What the Investor Alert List Means for Singapore Users
The Investor Alert List is designed as a consumer protection measure. MAS issues such alerts to reduce the risk that retail investors assume regulatory supervision where none exists.
If you are based in Singapore, the practical implication is that using a platform on the list does not provide you with the safeguards associated with MAS-licensed financial institutions. MAS advises users to consult its Financial Institutions Directory to verify whether a platform holds the necessary authorisations.
Operating without a local licence means that disputes, fund security concerns, or issues related to fair dealing fall outside MAS regulatory coverage. The authority’s action therefore focuses on clarifying the regulatory status of the platform rather than restricting access directly.
Singapore’s Licensing Framework Under the Payment Services Act
Singapore applies a licensing regime for digital payment token services under the Payment Services Act. Platforms offering such services to local residents must obtain the appropriate licence from MAS.
Unlicensed platforms are not permitted to solicit or serve Singapore residents. Doing so can expose them to regulatory action. MAS has previously taken steps to clarify the status of major international exchanges in the local market.
Bybit now joins other platforms, including Binance, which was added to the Investor Alert List in 2021. MAS reiterates that the list may not cover all unlicensed entities and that its purpose is to provide timely guidance based on available information.
Bybit’s Global Operations and Compliance Context
Bybit, founded by Singaporean Ben Zhou, ranks among the largest crypto exchanges globally by trading volume, with billions of dollars in daily transactions. The company maintains operations in Dubai and other jurisdictions.
According to the available information, Bybit already geo-blocks Singapore IP addresses as part of its compliance efforts. The MAS alert addresses potential accessibility and perception risks, indicating that some users may still view the platform as being under Singapore’s regulatory umbrella.
As of publication, Bybit has not issued a public statement regarding its addition to the Investor Alert List. The exchange did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The listing comes after recent regulatory developments involving the company in other markets. In April 2026, Bybit was removed from the Securities Commission Malaysia’s Investor Alert List following engagement with local authorities and alignment with regulatory expectations. The company also announced that it had led funding into Hata, described as a dual-licensed crypto platform.
Despite the new development in Singapore, no immediate trading disruptions have been reported on Bybit. The platform continues its global operations, including token listings and the publication of Proof-of-Reserves information.
Implications for Crypto and iGaming Users Evaluating Platforms
For international users, including those evaluating crypto exchanges for funding betting or iGaming accounts, regulatory status remains a central consideration. The MAS action underscores the distinction between global trading volume and local regulatory approval.
If you rely on an exchange to transfer funds to sportsbooks or online casinos, the absence of local licensing may affect your level of regulatory recourse. In Singapore, MAS makes clear that only licensed entities appear in its official directory and fall under its supervisory framework.
The alert does not change Bybit’s global availability outside Singapore, nor does it indicate technical or operational issues with the platform. It serves as a regulatory clarification targeted at Singapore-based users and those who might assume that the exchange operates under MAS oversight.
Our Assessment
The addition of Bybit to the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Investor Alert List formally clarifies that the exchange is not licensed to provide services accessible to users in Singapore. The measure is a public warning rather than a ban or enforcement action. For users in Singapore, the key consequence is the absence of MAS regulatory protections when using the platform. Globally, Bybit continues operations without reported disruption, while its regulatory status varies by jurisdiction.
