The Complete 2025 Guide to Becoming an Accredited Investor in Singapore

Singapore is home to a growing population of high-net-worth individuals, with over 332,000 millionaires in 2024—a number projected to rise by another 40,000 by 2028. As wealth levels increase, so does the demand for more sophisticated investment opportunities. 

Many of these individuals are no longer content with traditional stocks and mutual funds—they’re turning to private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and structured products to build more resilient, higher-growth portfolios.

Access to these types of investments is typically reserved for those who qualify as accredited investors under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) framework. This status isn’t just a regulatory formality—it opens the door to strategies and products that are otherwise unavailable to retail investors. 

Whether you're planning to expand your portfolio beyond public markets or simply curious about what this next tier of access looks like, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about becoming an accredited investor in Singapore—qualification criteria, benefits, risks, and how to take the next step.

What is an accredited investor

In Singapore, an accredited investor (AI) is someone who meets specific financial thresholds that signal a greater capacity to assess and bear investment risk.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) defines accredited investors as individuals or entities with higher wealth or income levels, allowing them access to a broader universe of investment opportunities that are not available to retail investors.

This classification acknowledges that certain investors have the means and financial sophistication to handle complex or less-regulated investment products—such as hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and structured notes. 

However, it also comes with trade-offs: accredited investors receive less regulatory protection than retail investors, as they’re presumed to be more capable of making informed investment decisions.

How to qualify as an accredited investor?

You must meet at least one of the following criteria to qualify as an accredited investor in Singapore:

For individuals:

1. Net personal assets above S$2 million, with a maximum of S$1 million permitted from the principal residence (the asset value minus outstanding secured loans).
2. Annual income in the preceding 12 months of at least S$300,000, as verified by tax statements or employer documentation.
3. Net financial assets exceeding S$1 million, excluding the principal residence and deducting related liabilities.

Note: Your Digital Payment Token (DPT) holdings—such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other digital assets—can contribute up to S$200,000 of this total. However, MAS requires that a 50% haircut be applied to the market value of DPTs when calculating your net personal assets.

Examples:

• If your DPT portfolio is worth S$350,000, it will be valued at S$175,000 for the purpose of this assessment.
• If your DPT portfolio is worth S$500,000, it will be marked down to S$250,000, but only S$200,000 can be counted—the maximum allowable contribution under MAS rules.

For corporations:

1. Total assets exceeding S$10 million, as shown on the most recent audited balance sheet.

What are the benefits of being an accredited investor?

Becoming an accredited investor in Singapore gives you access to a broader and more sophisticated range of investment options—beyond what’s typically available to retail clients.

While this status comes with fewer regulatory protections, it opens the door to products and strategies that can help diversify your portfolio, manage risk in unique ways, and pursue potentially higher returns.

1. Access exclusive investment products

As an accredited investor, you can tap into products reserved for a more financially sophisticated audience. These may include:

• Structured notes and equity-linked notes
• Private equity and venture capital funds
• High-yield or non-retail corporate bonds
• Alternative investments like private credit or hedge funds

These instruments are often designed to enhance returns or hedge against market volatility—especially useful in uncertain or fast-moving market conditions.

2. Greater flexibility and control

With broader product access comes greater flexibility to construct tailored portfolios. Some platforms may also offer consolidated dashboards or tools that provide deeper visibility into your overall wealth—helping you monitor performance, manage risk, and stay on top of liquidity across various asset classes.

3. Dedicated wealth advisory support

Many private banks and wealth managers assign accredited investors to dedicated relationship teams or investment specialists. This gives you access to curated advice, market intelligence, and bespoke portfolio solutions aligned to your financial goals and risk appetite.

4. Early access and deal flow

In some cases, accredited investors may also receive early access to pre-IPO deals, private placements, or thematic investment opportunities that are not yet available on public markets—giving you a head start in capitalizing on long-term trends.

What can you invest in as an accredited investor in Singapore?

Most retail investors in Singapore are limited to regulated, lower-risk products such as listed stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. 

This restriction exists to protect the average investor from complex products that may involve higher risk, lower liquidity, or less transparent disclosures.

Once you attain accredited investor (AI) status, a broader investment universe opens up. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) allows AIs to access products that are either exempt from prospectus requirements, or offered only to high-net-worth individuals: 

1. Private equity and venture capital

Accredited investors can participate in private equity and VC funds, giving them exposure to high-growth companies that are not yet publicly listed. These include buyout funds, growth-stage startups, and innovation-driven businesses across sectors.

2. Hedge funds and absolute return strategies

Unlike traditional mutual funds, hedge funds often use advanced techniques like leverage, short selling, or derivatives to pursue absolute returns. These funds are generally not available to retail investors due to their complexity and risk.

3. Private credit and infrastructure debt

You can also invest in direct lending, distressed debt, or real asset-backed credit strategies. These alternatives can generate steady income and offer low correlation to traditional equities.

4. Structured products and equity-linked notes

These instruments are designed to provide exposure to various asset classes or payoffs based on certain market conditions. For example, equity-linked notes (ELNs) may offer enhanced yield in exchange for downside risk.

5. Real estate and REIT alternatives

Beyond listed REITs, AIs can access private real estate funds, real asset portfolios, and development-stage property investments that are typically inaccessible to the public.

6. Thematic and pre-IPO deals

Some platforms offer early access to pre-IPO companies, special situations, or thematic investment opportunities—such as clean energy, AI, or frontier markets—which are often reserved for AIs and institutional clients.

What does it mean to be an accredited investor

Qualifying as an accredited investor (AI) in Singapore isn’t just about meeting financial thresholds—it also changes the way you interact with investment products, financial institutions, and regulations.

By opting in as an AI under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) framework, you're essentially acknowledging that you have the financial means and investment knowledge to participate in more complex products—without the full range of regulatory protections that retail investors receive.

Here’s what that actually means in practice:

1. Access to more investment options

AIs are allowed to invest in products that are not available to retail clients. This includes private equity funds, hedge funds, structured notes, equity-linked instruments, and other alternatives that may carry higher returns but also involve higher risk or lower liquidity.

2. Less regulatory protection

When you're treated as an AI, financial institutions are exempt from several regulations designed to protect retail investors. For example:

• Securities issuers may offer you investment opportunities without issuing a MAS-registered prospectus, which means less standardised disclosure.
• Financial advisers and intermediaries may be exempt from certain business conduct requirements under the Financial Advisers Act (FAA) and the Securities and Futures Act (SFA), including obligations to assess product suitability or provide certain disclosures.

3. You're assumed to know more

The MAS framework assumes that accredited investors are better informed, more financially savvy, and have access to professional resources or advisors to make sound investment decisions independently. As a result, financial institutions are not required to provide the same level of hand-holding or risk warnings.

4. You need to take greater responsibility

With greater access comes greater personal responsibility. If you're not familiar with the implications or risks of being treated as an AI, it's highly advisable to consult a licensed financial adviser before opting in. And remember: the choice isn’t permanent. You can withdraw your AI status by providing written notice to your financial provider at any time.

How to verify your accredited investor status in Singapore

If you meet the financial criteria, the next step is to verify your accredited investor (AI) status. This process involves providing supporting documentation and formally opting in with your financial institution or investment platform.

Here’s how it works:

1. Prepare your documentation

To verify your AI status, you’ll typically be asked to provide one or more of the following:

• Bank or brokerage statements showing financial holdings
• Income documentation, such as recent payslips, IRAS Notice of Assessment, or tax filings
• CPF or pension fund statements, or documentation for life insurance policies with surrender value
• Property valuation reports, especially if you're including your residence under the personal asset category
• Digital Payment Token (DPT) holdings (e.g., cryptocurrencies) can also be included, but only up to S$200,000 after applying a mandatory 50% haircut to their market value

2. Use Singpass for streamlined verification

If you're a Singapore resident, many platforms allow you to use Singpass and MyInfo to retrieve your income and CPF data automatically. This speeds up the onboarding process, particularly for those qualifying based on annual income.

Note: If you're qualifying based on net worth (e.g., asset holdings or property), manual submission of documents is still required.

3. Submit to your financial institution

Submit your documents through your chosen platform, bank, or financial adviser. Some may require a declaration form or a face-to-face/virtual review. 

The review process usually takes a few working days, depending on the completeness of your documents and internal compliance checks.

4. Stay certified: Annual review required

Accredited investor status is not permanent. Most institutions require an annual review to reconfirm your eligibility. 

You’ll be asked to resubmit updated documents—especially if your status was based on income or financial holdings that may fluctuate.

Important note before opting in

Once you’re certified, your financial institution will treat you as an AI under MAS regulations—meaning you’ll gain access to more complex products, but lose certain retail investor protections. You can withdraw your AI status anytime by giving written notice.

If you’re unsure about the implications, it’s best to seek professional financial advice before proceeding.

Opt in as an accredited investor with StashAway

StashAway Reserve is designed for clients who want to go beyond traditional portfolios and access the kinds of investment strategies typically reserved for institutions. 

By opting in as an accredited investor, you gain entry to a broader, more advanced universe of investment opportunities curated for high-net-worth individuals.

With StashAway Reserve, accredited investors can:

• Diversify into private credit, with institutional-grade access to income-generating assets traditionally available only to global family offices and endowments
• Invest in private equity and venture capital (PEVC) through exclusive funds and managers vetted for long-term growth potential
• Participate in angel investing opportunities across early-stage, high-growth startups through a structured, accessible format
• Gain exposure to crypto ETFs, allowing you to invest in digital assets through regulated and liquid exchange-traded products
• Build a resilient, globally diversified portfolio guided by expert advisory, data-driven insights, and ongoing portfolio optimisation

If you’re looking to allocate S$1 million or more, StashAway Reserve provides a streamlined path to institutional-quality investments—all within a regulated, transparent platform built for modern wealth creation.

To learn more or explore your options, reach out to the StashAway team for a private consultation.

FAQs

1. Can I choose to opt out after becoming an accredited investor?

Yes. Under MAS guidelines, opting in as an accredited investor is voluntary. If you change your mind later, you can notify your financial institution in writing to withdraw your AI status. Once processed, you’ll return to retail investor protections, but will no longer have access to AI-only products.

2. How long is my accredited investor status valid?

Your AI status is typically valid for 12 months. Most platforms and financial institutions will request updated documentation annually to reconfirm your eligibility. If your financial circumstances change (e.g. income drops, asset values decline), your status may not be renewed.

3. Is my AI status recognised across all financial institutions?

No. AI status is platform-specific. If you are verified as an AI with one bank or platform, it does not automatically carry over to others. Each provider must assess and certify your status independently, based on their own onboarding and compliance process.

4. Do joint accounts or trusts affect AI qualification?

Yes. You may qualify as an AI if:

• You hold a joint account with an accredited investor (only for transactions through that account), or
• You are a trustee of a trust where all beneficiaries are accredited investors.

For trusts, professional advice is recommended, as the rules can be more complex depending on the trust structure.

5. Will I be notified when my AI status is expiring?

Most regulated platforms and banks in Singapore will notify you in advance when your AI certification is approaching expiry. However, it's your responsibility to ensure that updated documentation is submitted on time if you wish to continue investing in AI-only products.

6. Does being an AI affect tax status or CPF contributions?

No. Being an accredited investor does not impact your tax residency, income tax rate, CPF contributions, or other statutory obligations in Singapore. It is a regulatory classification strictly related to investment access under MAS rules.