MAS Licensing Support in Singapore
HM Strategy supports Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) licence applications for payment businesses, fintechs, fund managers and other financial services firms establishing or expanding in Singapore. We help assess proposed activities, prepare application materials and coordinate the work needed to present a clear, consistent application.
From an initial business idea to regulatory questions and operational readiness, our support is tailored to your business model, licence type and stage of preparation. Discuss your licensing plans with HM Strategy.
Licensing services
Payments and digital assets
HM Strategy supports Major Payment Institution and Standard Payment Institution licence applications, including digital payment token business models where applicable.
We help explain business and transaction flows, customer groups, safeguarding arrangements and AML/CFT controls, and coordinate the supporting information needed for the application.
Capital markets services
We support Capital Markets Services licence applications for activities such as fund management, venture capital fund management, dealing in capital markets products and advising on corporate finance.
Our work helps articulate the business or investment strategy, governance arrangements, management responsibilities and compliance framework.
Financial advisory
HM Strategy supports financial adviser licence applications and assessments of potential exemptions.
We help map the proposed advice, products and client types to the relevant regulatory questions, and prepare the supporting rationale and materials. The appropriate approach depends on the activities your business intends to carry out.
How we support your licence application
1. Scope and readiness
We review the proposed activities, ownership, management and funding arrangements, then identify licensing questions and preparation gaps.
2. Prepare and coordinate
We help prepare business plans, compliance policies, enterprise-wide risk assessments and supporting materials, coordinating input from management and other advisers.
3. Application and queries
We organise application materials, track workstreams and help management prepare clear, consistent responses to regulatory questions.
4. Operational readiness
We help translate the proposed compliance framework into practical controls and plan the handover to ongoing compliance support.
What you can expect
Depending on the agreed scope, deliverables may include an application workplan, document checklist, draft application materials and an open-issues tracker. We agree responsibilities and priorities at the outset. For Hong Kong SFC matters, we can discuss the relevant scope and support required.
Experience behind the advice
HM Strategy is recognised in Band 2 for FinTech Consulting in Singapore by Chambers. Partner Chris Holland previously served as COO and General Counsel of a boutique investment bank and as Capital Markets Counsel at Clifford Chance.
The relevant regulator decides whether to approve an application and when. HM Strategy does not guarantee approval or a regulatory decision date.
Explore our outsourced compliance services and our Payment Services Act and Financial Services and Markets Act analysis.
Licensing FAQs
Which MAS licence applications can HM Strategy support?
HM Strategy supports the following MAS licence applications in Singapore, depending on your proposed business model:
- Payment services: Major Payment Institution (MPI) and Standard Payment Institution (SPI) licence applications, including digital payment token business models where applicable.
- Capital markets services: Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence applications for fund management (including venture capital fund management), dealing in capital markets products, and advising on corporate finance.
- Financial advisory: Financial adviser licence applications.
HM Strategy can also assess potential financial adviser exemptions. Exemption assessments are considered separately from licence applications.
What does licensing support include?
Depending on the engagement, HM Strategy can help assess licensing requirements and readiness, prepare business plans and compliance policies, coordinate supporting documents, track application workstreams and prepare responses to regulatory questions.
How long does a licence application take?
Timing depends on the business model, the readiness of the applicant, the completeness of supporting information and the regulator’s review. HM Strategy agrees a preparation workplan with you and helps manage outstanding actions. Approval and regulatory decision dates cannot be guaranteed.
Can HM Strategy help before we have prepared our documents?
Yes. We can start by reviewing your proposed activities, management arrangements and existing materials, then identify preparation gaps and priorities.
Can HM Strategy support us after licensing?
Yes. A separate engagement can cover ongoing compliance support, including policies, customer due diligence processes, risk assessments, regulatory updates and training.
Can we discuss Hong Kong SFC matters with HM Strategy?
Yes. Contact HM Strategy to discuss your proposed activities in Hong Kong and the relevant scope of SFC support. We consider Hong Kong matters separately from Singapore MAS licence applications.
Discuss your licence application
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