Is crypto legal in Malaysia?

Yes, crypto is legal in Malaysia, but it is regulated as a capital markets product rather than accepted as money. Bank Negara Malaysia said in 2014 that bitcoin is not legal tender, and the Securities Commission (SC) has supervised digital asset trading since 2019. As of October 2026, only exchanges on the SC's registered list may serve Malaysian investors.

Is bitcoin legal in Malaysia?

Yes, but it is not money in law. In January 2014 the central bank said bitcoin is not recognised as legal tender and that it does not regulate bitcoin operations, and it urged the public to be careful. Shops can choose to accept crypto, but no one has to.

Is crypto trading legal in Malaysia?

Yes, on registered platforms. In January 2019 the government announced the Capital Markets and Services (Prescription of Securities) (Digital Currency and Digital Token) Order 2019, which brought digital assets under securities law. Offering digital assets and related activities need SC authorisation.

The SC's list of registered digital asset exchanges, last updated July 20, 2026, names five operators, including Luno Malaysia and SINEGY DAX. The page also lists dozens of platforms that were told to stop operating in 2019, and the SC asks the public to check the list before using an exchange.

The rules have teeth. In July 2021 the SC publicly reprimanded Binance for running an unregistered exchange and ordered it to disable its website and apps in Malaysia. It also urged Malaysian users to stop trading there and withdraw their funds. See why is Binance banned in some countries for the wider pattern. In November 2025 an SC official said registered exchanges meeting set standards would be able to list tokens through their own governance processes from 2026.

Is P2P crypto legal in Malaysia?

The SC framework is aimed at those who offer digital assets and run trading venues, not at people who simply own crypto. The difference is the platform. Running a service that matches buyers and sellers falls under the SC's exchange rules, so a P2P marketplace that is not on the registered list is operating outside the framework. Users of unregistered platforms do not get the investor protections that registration brings.

Is crypto mining legal in Malaysia?

Mining itself is not banned. Illegal power use is the problem. Malaysia's energy ministry said in a written reply to parliament that 13,827 premises were caught using stolen electricity to mine bitcoin between 2020 and August 2025, costing the utility Tenaga Nasional RM4.57 billion. Mining income is taxable, as explained in how is crypto taxed in Malaysia. For other countries' approaches, see is crypto mining legal.

Laws differ by country and change often. Check local regulators or a qualified professional for your own situation.