In Malaysia, buying and possessing crypto is legal, but it is not considered legal tender by the federal government. The country does not recognize cryptocurrency as a payment instrument, but rather as a security under the recept order 2019.
Currently, the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) is actively developing a framework for digital assets, including public consultation on tokenized capital market products.
Time of important crypto regulations in Malaysia
July 2025 – Bank Negara Malaysia Working Papers (WP3/2025)
- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) plans to innovate the traditional banking system by allowing Bitcoin and XRP As a payment alternative.
- The bank implements consumer protection, legal clarity, a robust technological framework and a system to tackle price determination volatility.
June 30, 2025 – Public Consultation Paper No 3/2025 (“CP 3/25”)
- The Securities Commission (SC) In Malaysia, a consultation paper has issued to request public feedback about the regulations for digital assets exchange. The consultation is open until August 11, 2025.
- It also suggested to have certain tokens mentioned on regulated DAX platforms (Digital Asset Exchange) without prior approval of the SC.
January 9, 2025 – Order 2025 [P.U. (A) 6/2025] Capital market and services
- The prescribed effects and digital currency and digital token order 2019 was changed in 2025.
- Revise the definition of digital token within the original Order 2019. It classifies digital assets as effects and enables SCM to regulate offers and trade.
| Date | Regulation/ law | Detailed |
| July 31, 2024 | Personal data protection Act | Data treatment requirements for crypto companies |
| June 2024 | Tax enforcement (Ops -Token)) | Act against non -specified crypto -income |
| April 1, 2022 | Crypto -Travel rule in force | Regulated by SCM |
| April 26, 2021 | Transfer travel rules to the national framework | Prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing in cryptocurrency |
| October 28, 2020 | SC has been revised guidelines for crypto | Enables companies to raise money through the issue of tokens; approval required by the IEO |
| January 15, 2019 | Capita Market and Services Order | Digital assets are classified as effects; subject to securities legislation |
| 2018 | Formation of the tax reform committee | It still has to make changes to digital taxation. |
What does the Malaysian government say about cryptocurrency in 2025?
In 2025, the Malaysian government is considering setting new regulations for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology to adapt to global trends. While the government is creating new frameworks, the Securities Commission of Malaysia (SCM) is setting up:
- Regulating cryptocurrencies as effects
- Supervising the trade and issue of digital assets
- Regulation of digital assets exchange and initial exchange offer (IEO) platforms.
In addition, the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) stated in July 2025: “Private tokens such as Bitcoin or XRP can be used on a large scale in the future as a payment agent outside the banking system, to replace Cic or bank deposits.”
Crypto License in Malaysia
The crypto incident window work in Malaysia strives for technical therapy compliance and transparency in its internal structure. The crypto companies and platforms are subject to strict fines, including reimbursements, blocked access and withdrawal in withdrawal for non-compliance with crypto laws.
Types of Crypto Licensions in Malaysia:
- EXTENT: The most important goal is the issue and supply of tokens with a minimum of 500 thousand Myr. Startups and fintech projects apply to this license.
- IEO operator: serves as an organization of the first public offers with 5 million Myr. Platforms for attracting investments are required to obtain this license.
- Digital Asset Custodian (DAC): The primary goal serves as a storage of digital assets with 500 thousand Myr costs. It applies to the storage services and fintech vault.
List of licensed crypto exchanges in Malaysia 2025:
| Crypto exchange | Deposit |
| Luno | Free Abiver RM 100 |
| Sineus | Free |
| Token size | Free |
| MX Global | Free |
| Hata | Free |
Crypto tax in Malaysia 2025
- Power gain tax: Profit when buying and selling cryptocurrency as a personal investment is not taxable. Occasionally eligible for this is also eligible tax -free regime.
- Tax -free events: Occasionally sell, exchange, send crypto between personal portfolios, gifts, donating crypto, airdrops and the use of crypto for selling goods are tax -free events.
- Income tax: Crypto-trade as a high frequency company is taxable as a regular income tax, which varies from 0-30%, depending on the income brackets. Acting, mining and receiving crypto as compensation for services are taxable.
- Reports: For private individuals, the deadline of the tax return is April 30, while for business income it is 30 June every year.
Crypto Adoption in Malaysia
- Crypto -Penetration speed: The current penetration rate of the crypto users in Malaysia is expected to be 12.77%, which is expected to increase to 13.03% in 2026. By next year, around 4.74 million Malaysians will use cryptocurrencies.
- Crypto -Income: In 2025, the turnover of the cryptocurrency market is expected to reach US $ 484.1 million and will grow annually at a speed of 3.74%. With growing users, Crypto will reach the turnover market US $ 502.2 million in 2026.
- Crypto Holdings: The crypto companies of the Malaysian government are not yet publicly announced; It does not hold crypto reserves such as the US, but monitors cryptocurrencies and other digital assets within the financial system.
Conclusion
Malaysia is one of the countries that does not consider Crypto as legal tender, but it has a legal regulatory framework to facilitate this. The country does not even have specific laws for crypto tax, and this is why Malaysia is recognized as one of the crypto-friendly countries in the world. Although they do not have separate laws, the country maintains strict rules to prevent fraud and risks in the crypto landscape.
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FAQs
Yes, buying and owning crypto is legal in Malaysia. However, it is not recognized as a legal means of payment, but rather as a security in the context of the recept order 2019 (changed 2025).
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) regulates crypto as effects, which supervises digital assets trade, issue, fairs and IEO platforms. They actively develop an extensive framework.
Capital profits of personal crypto investments are generally not taxed. Crypto-trade as a frequent business activity, mining or receiving crypto as compensation, however, is subject to income tax (0-30%).
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) is the most important government agency responsible for regulating digital assets activities in the country, including trade, issue and storage. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) also monitors systemic risks.
