MAS AML/CFT: What It Means for Crypto Traders and Investors
When you trade crypto in Singapore—or use an exchange that serves Singaporean users—you’re dealing with MAS AML/CFT, the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism framework. Also known as crypto compliance rules, it’s not just paperwork—it’s the reason some exchanges block U.S. users, require ID checks, or shut down privacy-focused services. This isn’t a suggestion. It’s law. And it’s changing how crypto works everywhere.
MAS doesn’t just make rules. It enforces them. Exchanges like Bybit and HTX have to track who’s trading, where they’re from, and what they’re buying. That’s why geofencing and KYC are everywhere now. Even if you’re not in Singapore, if an exchange wants to stay legal in Asia, it follows MAS standards. That’s why you see privacy coins, like Monero and Zcash, being banned from regulated platforms. Also known as anonymity-focused tokens, they directly clash with MAS’s goal: no hidden transactions. The EU is doing the same thing by 2027. It’s not a coincidence. Singapore sets the tone for Asia, and other regions follow.
It’s not just about blocking bad actors. MAS AML/CFT also forces exchanges to prove they’re secure. That’s why you’ll see reviews here about platforms like MoraSwap or XBTS.io—some lack audits, others avoid KYC, and both are walking a tightrope under these rules. If a project claims to be "decentralized" but doesn’t follow basic compliance, it’s not just risky—it’s legally exposed. That’s why Ozonechain and Radx AI show up in our list: no team, no code, no compliance—red flags MAS would flag instantly.
And it’s not just exchanges. Airdrops like SWAPP or Kuma Inu? MAS requires clear documentation of token distribution. If you can’t prove who got tokens and why, it looks like a pump-and-dump scheme. That’s why fake airdrops are so common—they’re designed to slip past compliance checks. But MAS is getting better at spotting them. The same goes for NFT metadata and profit-sharing systems like TAUR. If the data isn’t transparent, regulators see risk.
So what does this mean for you? If you’re trading, staking, or chasing airdrops, you’re not just picking coins—you’re picking platforms with different levels of regulation. Some will ask for your passport. Others will let you trade anonymously—but then vanish when the rules tighten. The MAS AML/CFT framework isn’t stopping innovation. It’s forcing it to grow up. The projects that survive will be the ones built on real use, real teams, and real accountability.
Below, you’ll find real reviews, deep dives, and scam alerts—all shaped by these rules. Whether you’re wondering why your favorite exchange blocks your country, why a coin vanished overnight, or whether a new airdrop is legit—this collection cuts through the noise. No fluff. Just what matters under MAS AML/CFT.