No Capital Gains Tax on Crypto in Singapore: What You Need to Know in 2026

Most countries tax you when you sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any other crypto for a profit. Not Singapore. If you're an individual investor living there, you don't pay a single cent in capital gains tax - no matter how much you make. That’s not a loophole. It’s policy. And it’s been that way for years, with no signs of changing.

Why Singapore Doesn’t Tax Crypto Gains

Singapore doesn’t have a capital gains tax at all. Not on stocks. Not on real estate. Not on crypto. That’s the big picture. The government doesn’t tax profits from selling assets. It only taxes income - money you earn from work, business, or services. So if you buy Bitcoin at $30,000 and sell it at $80,000? No tax. If you trade Ethereum for Solana and make a 200% profit? Still no tax. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) treats crypto as property, not currency. That means it’s not subject to the same rules as stocks or foreign exchange.

Who Actually Pays Tax on Crypto in Singapore?

The rules change if you’re running a business. If you’re a crypto trader, miner, or exchange operator, and crypto trading is your main source of income, then you’re taxed on your profits like any other business. Corporate income tax applies - but even then, Singapore’s rate is just 17%, one of the lowest in the developed world. If you accept Bitcoin as payment for your consulting services or sell NFTs as part of your online store, that income is taxable. But again, it’s not a capital gains tax. It’s business income tax.

How It Compares to Other Crypto Havens

Portugal lets you trade crypto tax-free if you hold it over a year, but short-term trades get hit with 28%. Germany gives you a tax break after one year of holding. The Cayman Islands has zero taxes on anything - crypto, stocks, or dividends. But here’s what sets Singapore apart: it’s not just tax-free. It’s regulated.

You can’t just open a crypto exchange in Singapore and start trading. You need a license from MAS. That means strict KYC, AML checks, transaction monitoring, and fraud reporting. Exchanges like Binance, Crypto.com, and Coinbase all have major offices there - not because they’re avoiding taxes, but because they want to operate legally in a stable, transparent market. That’s a big deal. In places with no rules, you get scams. In Singapore, you get legitimacy.

What About Spending Crypto?

If you use Bitcoin to buy a coffee, a laptop, or a flight, the transaction itself isn’t taxed. But the merchant who accepts it? They have to pay GST - Singapore’s 8% sales tax - on the value of the goods or services sold. The person paying with crypto? No tax. No reporting. No paperwork. That’s a huge advantage over places like the U.S., where every crypto purchase over $600 triggers a tax event.

How to Qualify for the Tax Benefit

You don’t need to be a citizen. You don’t even need a permanent residency. But you do need to be a tax resident. That means spending at least 183 days a year in Singapore. Or, if you’re working there full-time, running a business, or have your family and main assets there, you can still qualify. The government looks at your economic ties, not just your passport. Many crypto investors move to Singapore for a year or two, get their residency sorted, and lock in the tax-free status.

What Businesses Face

If you’re starting a crypto business - whether it’s an exchange, wallet provider, or trading firm - the path is harder. Getting a Payment Services Act license takes 6 to 12 months. You need a physical office, local compliance officers, audited financials, and a detailed anti-fraud plan. The cost? Between SGD 50,000 and SGD 200,000 in legal and setup fees. But once you’re licensed, you’re in a clean, global market. No shady regulators. No sudden tax changes. Just clear rules.

Why This Matters for Investors

Singapore isn’t just a tax haven. It’s a safe haven. You can hold your crypto in a local wallet, trade on a licensed platform, and sleep easy knowing the government won’t come after you for your profits. That’s rare. In the U.S., the IRS tracks every transaction. In the U.K., HMRC sends letters to crypto users. In Singapore? Nothing. No reporting requirements for individuals. No forms to file. No audits unless you’re a business.

What’s Changing in 2026?

Thailand just announced a five-year tax holiday on crypto gains. The Cayman Islands passed new virtual asset laws. But Singapore? Nothing’s changing. MAS has repeatedly confirmed the policy will stay. In fact, they’ve doubled down on supporting blockchain innovation - launching new sandboxes, partnering with banks, and even testing CBDCs. They want to be the hub for Web3, not just a tax loophole.

Real-World Impact

Over 600 fintech companies now operate in Singapore. Crypto trading volumes there jumped 300% between 2020 and 2024. You’ll find traders from Europe, Asia, and the Americas setting up shop here - not because they’re trying to hide money, but because they want to grow it without paying 20%, 30%, or 50% in taxes. Reddit threads, crypto forums, and private investor groups all point to Singapore as the top choice for tax-efficient crypto holding.

What You Should Do

If you’re an individual investor and you’re paying heavy capital gains taxes where you live, consider Singapore. It’s not a quick fix. You’ll need to plan your move, get your residency sorted, and maybe hire a local accountant. But if you’re holding crypto long-term, the savings can be massive. A $1 million gain? In the U.S., that’s $280,000 in taxes. In Singapore? $0.

What to Avoid

Don’t assume you can just open a bank account in Singapore and start trading without residency. Banks there are strict. They’ll ask where your money came from. If you’re trying to move crypto from an unregulated exchange, you’ll get flagged. Don’t try to game the system. Singapore’s strength is its clarity. Play by the rules, and you’re golden.