Independent Reserve: availability and regulation
Independent Reserve is a cryptocurrency exchange serving Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It is registered with AUSTRAC in Australia and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
Independent Reserve is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in Australia. As of April 2026 it serves Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, funding in Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Singapore dollars, and United States dollars. It is registered as a digital currency exchange with AUSTRAC in Australia, and it holds a licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Payment Services Act, having been the first crypto exchange licensed there. The platform is custodial. Supported assets and fees change over time, so check the current position before trading.
What Independent Reserve is
Independent Reserve is a centralised cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2013 and headquartered in Sydney. It offers buying, selling, and holding of crypto assets, along with an over the counter desk, for retail and institutional users in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
The platform is custodial, which means Independent Reserve holds the assets in your account on your behalf rather than handing you the private keys. It funds in Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Singapore dollars, and United States dollars.
Fees and the list of supported assets change over time, so confirm the current schedule on the platform before trading.
Registrations and licences
- Australia. Registration as a digital currency exchange provider with AUSTRAC, the financial intelligence and anti money laundering regulator (as of April 2026).
- Singapore. A licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Payment Services Act. Independent Reserve was the first cryptocurrency exchange to be licensed in Singapore, in 2021 (as of April 2026).
- New Zealand. Operation serving New Zealand residents with New Zealand dollar funding, within the financial services framework of New Zealand (as of April 2026).
- Corporate ownership. Following regulatory approval, the exchange became part of the IG Group in 2026 (as of April 2026).
Each registration is stated as of 21 June 2026. Registrations and the list of served countries change. Confirm the current position on the regulator register and the platform before acting.
Where Independent Reserve is available
As of April 2026 Independent Reserve serves residents of Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, with local currency funding in each market. The Australian and Singapore services carry named registrations with AUSTRAC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Independent Reserve is focused on these markets and is not positioned as a service for the United States or most other countries. Because availability can change, confirm that the platform serves your country before you sign up.
Independent Reserve is one of several platforms available in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Availability still depends on where you live, so compare the exchanges that are genuinely available in your country before you choose.
Regulator and sources
The relevant regulators differ by market: AUSTRAC in Australia for digital currency exchange registration and anti money laundering supervision, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for the Singapore licence under the Payment Services Act.
- Independent Reserve, official information on its services and supported countries (independentreserve.com).
- AUSTRAC, Australia, register of digital currency exchange providers.
- Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), register of licensed payment service providers.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries can use Independent Reserve?
As of April 2026 Independent Reserve serves Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, with local currency funding in each. The current list is published on the platform.
Is Independent Reserve regulated?
Yes. As of April 2026 it is registered as a digital currency exchange with AUSTRAC in Australia and holds a licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Payment Services Act. Confirm the current registrations on the relevant registers.
Was Independent Reserve the first licensed exchange in Singapore?
Independent Reserve reports that it was the first cryptocurrency exchange licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, in 2021. As of April 2026 it continues to operate under that licence. Confirm the current status on the MAS register.
Does Independent Reserve hold my crypto for me?
Yes. Independent Reserve is a custodial platform, so it holds the assets in your account on your behalf. If you prefer to control your own private keys you would need a separate self custody wallet. This is general information, not advice.
Where can I check the Independent Reserve registrations directly?
AUSTRAC in Australia and the Monetary Authority of Singapore keep public registers, and Independent Reserve states its registrations on its own site. Those primary sources are the most current way to confirm the position before acting.
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability, registrations, and the rules that govern them can change at short notice and vary by region. The position on this page is dated 21 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the named regulator and the platform before you act.
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