Key Highlights
- MAS added Bybit to its Investor Alert List, saying it is not licensed or regulated in Singapore.
- The list is a warning tool for investors, not a ban or fraud accusation.
- Bybit still operates globally, but Singapore rules remain strict under the Payment Services Act.
Singapore’s Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has added crypto exchange Bybit Fintech Limited and its platform, Bybit, to the Investor Alert List (IAL).
The update, published on June 17, 2026, serves as a public notice that Bybit is not licensed or regulated by MAS to provide services in Singapore. The move affects one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume.
What this means for investors
The move does not mean that Bybit has been banned in Singapore, nor does it mean the exchange has been accused of fraud or illegal activity. Instead, the Investor Alert List is intended to help investors understand which companies are not regulated by MAS. The regulator uses the list to highlight entities that could be wrongly seen as being licensed, authorized, or supervised by the authority.
According to MAS, the Investor Alert List contains persons or businesses that “may be or may have been wrongly perceived as being licensed or in any other way authorised or regulated by MAS.” The authority also notes that the list is not a complete record of every unregulated company and is based on information available at the time it is published.
As of June 17, 2026, Bybit had not issued a public statement regarding its addition to the Investor Alert List. However, The CryptoTimes has reached out to Bybit regarding the matter for further comment.
Bybit joins other listed crypto platforms
Bybit now joins several other major crypto platforms that have appeared on the list over the years, including Binance and KuCoin. The entry published by MAS specifically references Bybit’s main website.
The exchange was founded by Singaporean entrepreneur Ben Zhou and has grown into one of the largest cryptocurrency trading platforms globally, handling billions of dollars in daily trading volume. While Bybit is active in various jurisdictions, including Dubai, its terms of service prohibit users from Singapore, and it has implemented measures such as geo-blocking Singapore IP addresses to ensure compliance.
Singapore’s digital asset sector is regulated under the Payment Services Act, which requires providers of digital payment token services to obtain the necessary licenses before offering regulated services locally. MAS has repeatedly stressed the importance of investor protection as cryptocurrency adoption continues to grow.
Regional regulatory differences
The development also comes at an interesting time following the exchange’s removal from the Malaysia Securities Commission’s Investor Alert List in April 2026. The exchange had previously shut down operations in the country before engaging with regulators.
The latest development highlights the different regulatory approaches being taken across Southeast Asia as authorities continue to shape rules for the crypto industry. While Malaysia eased its position following those discussions, Singapore has taken a different approach by placing the company on its own alert list.
The latest action does not seem to have affected the exchange’s global operation. The exchange continues to offer trading services internationally and remains active in areas such as token listings and proof-of-reserves reporting.
Also Read: Bybit Expands Dialogue With Vietnam for Digital Asset Development
