- MAS gave unlicensed offshore crypto exchanges until June 30 2025 to cease operations in Singapore
- Bitget plans to move staff to Dubai and Hong Kong, with Bybit weighing similar steps
- Deadline affects hundreds of local roles and reinforces tighter virtual asset rules
A recent directive from the Monetary Authority of Singapore has compelled major cryptocurrency exchanges without local licences to prepare for an expedited withdrawal from the city-state. The MAS warning, issued on 30 May 2025, gave offshore operators until 30 June 2025 to cease activities for customers in Singapore. This regulatory push reflects the city-state’s effort to reinforce its framework for virtual asset service providers, following a series of industry disruptions in 2022.
Overview of MAS Final Warning and Deadline
On 30 May 2025, the MAS announced that any crypto firm incorporated in Singapore but offering services offshore without a licence must halt operations by 30 June 2025. The announcement applied to entities with Singapore-incorporated front-office functions, including sales and business development, even if their customers are based entirely overseas. The regulator declined to offer any transition period, emphasising that new licences would only be granted under “extremely limited” circumstances. In its clarification on 6 June 2025, the MAS stated that only a “very small” number of providers were likely to be affected, yet it maintained the strict deadline and began reaching out to firms it believed fell within the new regime.
Impact on Offshore Exchanges in Singapore
Bitget and Bybit, both ranked among the top ten global exchanges by trading volume, were explicitly identified as planning to relocate staff following the MAS notice. According to industry insiders, Bitget intends to move a significant portion of its Singapore-based team to Dubai and Hong Kong. Bybit is reportedly evaluating similar shifts but has not finalised its strategy. These moves could affect “hundreds” of positions, as noted by Arthur Cheong, founder and CIO of DeFiance Capital LLC, who estimated that offshore exchanges maintain a “significant number” of local employees. The abrupt nature of the exit timeline has prompted around-the-clock calls between offshore businesses and regulatory consultants, with inquiries extending from operational impacts to licence prospects.
Staff Reallocation Strategies by Bitget and Bybit
Faced with the looming 30 June deadline, exchange operators are reorganising their teams in multiple phases. Bitget is said to be redeploying front-office staff first, shifting roles such as compliance and business development to regional hubs in the Middle East and East Asia. Bybit’s potential plan mirrors this approach, although its executives have hesitated to confirm details. Both firms declined to comment publicly, citing the confidential nature of their contingency measures. Meanwhile, licensed exchanges like Coinbase and Crypto.com remain unaffected by the directive, reinforcing the advantage held by regulated operators under the Payment Services Act.
Regulatory Context and Consumer Warnings in Singapore
Singapore has long positioned itself as a leading digital-asset hub in Asia, hosting global entities including Coinbase, Crypto.com and heritage finance institutions. Yet it has also weathered the collapse of several local crypto ventures during the 2022 downturn. In addition to licensing, the MAS has repeatedly warned consumers about speculative trading, restricted crypto-related advertising, and updated its investor alert list to include Binance since 2021. The MAS’s 2022 Financial Services and Markets Act had foreshadowed today’s crackdown, and the June 2025 directive follows up by closing loopholes around offshore service delineation. Legal experts, such as Grace Chong of Drew & Napier LLC, note that arrangements where Singapore teams support offshore operations without clear service boundaries will be scrutinised on a case-by-case basis.
Conclusion
The MAS’s final warning has set in motion a rapid realignment of operations by major offshore exchanges in Singapore. With the 30 June 2025 deadline fast approaching, Bitget and Bybit are redirecting staff to alternative jurisdictions, potentially impacting hundreds of local jobs. This regulatory action underscores Singapore’s continued commitment to tightening oversight and safeguarding consumers, even as it seeks to maintain its status as a premier financial centre.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from CryptoNewsBytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from any company.
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