Check official terms: Options trading products, fees, margin requirements, and eligibility change regularly. Verify the provider’s MAS authorisation status — including whether it is a CMS licensee or an exempt capital markets services entity — at eservices.mas.gov.sg before trading.
Options trading in Singapore gives investors and corporates the ability to hedge risk, generate income, and gain leveraged exposure to equities and other assets — without the obligation to buy or sell the underlying instrument. This guide covers the best ways to access options trading Singapore financial institutions can offer in 2026, who each method suits, and what to verify before you start.
Methodology: The four methods below were selected based on MAS authorisation, product depth, accessibility to their stated audience, and evidence quality. They span institutional bank solutions, exchange-traded access, OTC structures, and income strategies.
Top Picks at a Glance
| Best For | Method |
| Corporate and institutional hedging | DBS Equity Options (DBS Global Financial Markets) |
| Retail and institutional exchange access | SGX Derivatives — Index and Listed Options |
| Customised structures for sophisticated investors | OTC Options via Bank Desk |
| Income generation on existing equity holdings | Covered Call Strategy |
Quick Summary
- Best for corporates: DBS Equity Options — equities, FX, rates, and commodities structured through DBS Global Financial Markets, formed 1 March 2024. Available to professional clients and eligible counterparties only. (DBS, April 2026)
- Best for retail and institutional investors: SGX exchange-traded derivatives — including MSCI Singapore Index Options, GIFT Connect Nifty 50 Index Options, and FX Options — standardised contracts, MAS-regulated. (SGX, April 2026)
- Best for customised structures: OTC options via bank desk — fully customisable strike, expiry, and settlement; requires institutional relationship and larger deal sizes.
- Best for income generation: Covered call strategy — sell call options on existing equity holdings to collect premium income; a commonly cited income-enhancement strategy for long-term equity investors.
- Key stat: SGX reported record derivatives volumes in 2024, with OTC FX average daily volume rising 41% to US$129.7 billion. (SGX Market Statistics, December 2024)
- Regulatory note: Options providers in Singapore must be MAS-authorised — either as a CMS licensee or as an exempt capital markets services entity under the Securities and Futures Act. DBS Bank Ltd. is listed as an exempt entity, not a CMS licensee — both are valid. Verify at eservices.mas.gov.sg before trading. (MAS, April 2026)
“In March 2024, DBS merged its equity capital markets, brokerage, and digital exchange with its treasury markets division — forming DBS Global Financial Markets, its unified platform for markets, hedging, and investment solutions.” — DBS Group Newsroom, March 2024
Comparison Table (Last updated: April 2026 — verify current terms with each provider before trading)
| Method | Best For | Underlying Assets | Regulatory Status | Key Trade-Off |
| DBS Equity Options | Corporates / professional clients | Equities, FX, rates, commodities | MAS exempt entity (DBS Bank Ltd.) | Not available to retail clients |
| SGX Derivatives | Retail and institutional investors | Equity indices, FX, listed derivatives | MAS-regulated via SGX | Fixed strikes and expiries |
| OTC Options via Bank Desk | Sophisticated investors / large corporates | Equities, FX, rates, commodities | MAS-authorised bank or dealer | High complexity; not retail-accessible |
| Covered Call Strategy | Long-term equity investors | Equities (existing holdings) | Via MAS-authorised broker | Caps upside above strike at expiry |
How to Choose
- Verify MAS authorisation first: Check eservices.mas.gov.sg to confirm whether your provider is a CMS licensee or an exempt capital markets services entity before trading. Both are valid but carry different regulatory frameworks.
- Match method to objective: Corporate hedging needs DBS GFM or an OTC desk. Retail investors use SGX derivatives. Income generation on existing holdings uses covered calls.
- Understand the risk profile: Options buyers risk losing the full premium paid. Sellers of uncovered positions face potentially unlimited losses. Covered call sellers cap equity upside above the strike.
- Check access requirements: DBS Equity Options and OTC desks require professional client or eligible counterparty status. SGX derivatives require a derivatives-enabled brokerage account.
The 4 Best Ways to Access Options Trading in Singapore
#1 DBS Equity Options
One-line verdict: Integrated bank-backed derivatives platform for corporates and professional clients — equities, FX, rates, commodities, and credit via DBS Global Financial Markets. (Verify at dbs.com.sg — April 2026)
Best for: Corporations and professional investors needing structured options for hedging or yield enhancement. Not a retail product.
Quick Facts:
- Products: Equity options (calls, puts), structured solutions
- Underlying: Equities, FX, interest rates, commodities, credit
- Platform: DBS Global Financial Markets — formed 1 March 2024
- Audience: Professional clients and eligible counterparties only
- Regulatory status: MAS exempt entity (DBS Bank Ltd.)
- Last verified: April 2026
Why it made the list: DBS Global Financial Markets gives professional clients a full derivatives suite through one integrated institutional platform — combining capital markets, brokerage, digital exchange, and treasury under a single structure created in March 2024. (DBS Newsroom, March 2024)
Trade-offs: Not retail-accessible. Requires a DBS banking relationship and professional client or eligible counterparty status. Minimum deal sizes apply.
Learn more: DBS Global Financial Markets — Equity Options
#2 SGX Derivatives — Index and Listed Options
One-line verdict: Best for retail and institutional investors wanting standardised, MAS-regulated options on equity indices and FX via Singapore Exchange. (Verify at sgx.com — April 2026)
Best for: Retail and institutional participants trading standardised derivatives through an MAS-regulated exchange.
Quick Facts:
- Key products: MSCI Singapore Free Index Options, GIFT Connect Nifty 50 Index Options, FX Options
- Contract type: Standardised — fixed strikes, expiries, lot sizes
- 2024 stat: Record derivatives volumes; OTC FX ADV up 41% to US$129.7bn (SGX, December 2024)
- Regulatory status: MAS-regulated via SGX
- Access: Brokerage account with derivatives trading permissions
- Last verified: April 2026
Why it made the list: SGX provides transparent, exchange-regulated access to equity index and FX options — the primary route for non-institutional investors to access options markets in Singapore.
Trade-offs: Less flexible than OTC — fixed strikes and expiries may not suit specific hedging needs. Requires derivatives-enabled brokerage account and broker approval.
#3 OTC Options via Bank Desk
One-line verdict: Best for sophisticated investors and large corporates needing fully customised options terms unavailable on exchange. (April 2026)
Quick Facts:
- Products: Calls, puts, exotic structures (barrier, digital, Asian options)
- Underlying: Equities, FX, rates, commodities
- Terms: Fully customisable — strike, expiry, settlement, notional
- Access: Institutional banking relationship required; larger minimums apply
- Last verified: April 2026
Trade-offs: High complexity. Not retail-accessible. Counterparty risk must be assessed separately. Provider must be MAS-authorised — verify at eservices.mas.gov.sg.
#4 Covered Call Strategy
One-line verdict: A commonly cited income-enhancement strategy — sell call options on existing holdings to collect premium income upfront. (April 2026)
Quick Facts:
- Mechanics: Sell a call on stock you already own; collect premium upfront
- Risk: Full equity downside remains; upside capped above strike at expiry
- Execution: Via any MAS-authorised broker with options trading capability
- Management: Active — positions must be monitored and rolled as expiry approaches
- Last verified: April 2026
Trade-offs: Caps equity upside above the strike. Not passive — requires active management. Premium collected provides only partial offset against equity downside.
FAQs
Is options trading legal in Singapore?
Yes. Providers must be MAS-authorised as a CMS licensee or exempt capital markets services entity under the Securities and Futures Act. Verify at eservices.mas.gov.sg before trading. (MAS, April 2026)
What is DBS Global Financial Markets?
Formed 1 March 2024 by merging DBS equity capital markets, DBS Vickers, DBS Digital Exchange, and treasury markets — a unified platform for professional clients covering equities, FX, rates, commodities, and credit. (DBS Newsroom, March 2024)
What is the difference between exchange-traded and OTC options?
Exchange-traded options on SGX have standardised terms and transparent pricing. OTC options are privately negotiated with customisable terms — requiring institutional status and larger deal sizes.
What is a covered call?
Sell a call option on stock you own. You collect the premium upfront. If the stock exceeds the strike at expiry, you may be required to sell at that price — capping your upside but retaining the premium.
References
- DBS Group Newsroom. (March 2024). DBS to merge equity capital markets, brokerage and Digital Exchange with treasury markets. https://www.dbs.com/newsroom/DBS_to_merge_equity_capital_markets_brokerage_and_Digital_Exchange_with_treasury_markets_business_new_group_will_be_renamed_Global_Financial_Markets
- DBS Global Financial Markets. (April 2026). Equity Options. https://www.dbs.com.sg/global-financial-markets/equity-solutions/equity-options
- SGX. (December 2024). SGX Group December 2024 Performance. https://links.sgx.com/1.0.0/corporate-announcements/AA0XRZ0VCVGKKF1W/
- MAS Financial Institutions Directory. (April 2026). https://eservices.mas.gov.sg/fid
- Singapore Statutes Online. (April 2026). Securities and Futures (Licensing and Conduct of Business) Regulations. https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/SFA2001-RG11
