Singapore’s stock market is enjoying renewed momentum. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has posted its highest monthly trading volumes on record for the past couple of months, reflecting a surge of interest from retail investors. Analysts point to SGX’s resilient fundamentals, continued earnings upgrades and increased participation in multi-asset trading as factors underpinning this market revival.
The growth in local equities is not being driven solely by short-term trading; more Singaporeans are investing for the long term, building diversified portfolios and focusing on future financial stability.
Against this backdrop, Tiger Brokers Singapore is removing the $2 quarterly custody fee for SGX stocks for investors who do not trade in a given quarter. This move addresses a key pain point for low-activity investors, allowing them to hold Singapore-listed shares for the long term without worrying about inactivity charges or backend fees.
Encourage local equity investment
Custody fees, often viewed as an additional charge, can deter investors from holding positions over a longer horizon. Previously, all brokers in Singapore, including Tiger Brokers, levied a $2 quarterly fee on users with SGX stocks who did not make trades during the quarter. This meant that buy-and-hold investors, dividend-focused savers and those planning for retirement could see their returns eroded simply for not being more active on the platform.
With the new initiative, this fee has been waived for all users, regardless of trading frequency. Tiger Brokers Singapore says this is part of a broader effort to make investing in local equities more accessible and affordable, especially as Singaporeans reassess their approach to long-term wealth management.
Ian Leong, CEO of Tiger Brokers (Singapore) says, “We believe that investors should be free to invest at their own pace, not be penalised for staying still.”
Tiger Brokers Singapore’s internal data reflects a broader market trend. In 2024, the platform saw Singapore stock trading volume rise 50% y-o-y. The fourth quarter of 2024 recorded an 81% jump compared to the same period a year earlier.
In the second quarter of 2025, orders in Singapore were up 50% from a year earlier and 21% from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the total trade value for the period increased by 133% y-o-y and 46% q-o-q.
These figures suggest that both regular traders and those with a longer-term approach are turning to Singapore equities as a key component of their investment portfolios. The absorption of the custody fee is expected to make it even easier for new and existing investors to participate in the market without worrying about costs accumulating over time.
The latest move builds on an earlier initiative from 2022, when Tiger Brokers Singapore first began waiving the custody fee for active traders. That arrangement remains in place, but now the fee is also removed for investors who trade infrequently. The company says the aim is to support both high-conviction traders and patient investors who want to build portfolios over years, not just months.
For many, this is a practical change. Dividend investing has long been popular in Singapore, particularly among those planning for retirement. Regular, long-term investors are likely to benefit most from the waiver, as it removes a common obstacle to simply holding onto SGX-listed shares. Also, Tiger Brokers Singapore does not charge any dividend handling fee.
“While $2 may seem like a small fee, the cost adds up over time. Now that we have removed this fee, we hope that investors are more empowered to take charge of their own investments – buying and selling when they feel appropriate and not to avoid a charge,” says Leong.
Beyond fee changes, Tiger Brokers Singapore is also rolling out a new feature to help users integrate their long-term savings with local equities. Investors can easily link their Central Provident Fund (CPF) and Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) Investment Accounts directly to the Tiger Trade app, giving them access to CPF-approved investment products.
CPF is a significant pillar of retirement planning for many Singaporeans, with strict rules about how and where the funds can be invested. The ability to link CPF accounts within the Tiger Trade app is designed to give users greater flexibility and convenience, allowing them to deploy their CPF savings in local equities without the need for manual processes or additional paperwork.
Leong says, “CPF linkage is something our users have asked for. It’s another way we’re making long-term wealth planning accessible and convenient for Singaporeans.”
The move comes at a time when more investors are looking for options to diversify their retirement portfolios, while still remaining within the guidelines of the CPF Investment Scheme. The integration is expected to appeal to those who want a seamless, all-in-one platform for both cash and CPF investments in SGX-listed stocks.
For Singaporeans using the CPF Investment Scheme, the new integration may allow more strategic allocation, as users can manage both their regular and CPF portfolios on a single platform. This could be especially relevant for those who want to maximise their CPF savings through local equity investments, given the relatively stable performance and dividend yields of some SGX-listed stocks.
Investor choice and market access
Tiger Brokers Singapore says these changes are designed to lower barriers and offer greater choice to local investors. The waiver of the quarterly custody fee is especially notable for its potential impact on smaller and less frequent investors, who might otherwise be discouraged by incremental costs.
Market observers note that this kind of initiatives can have a ripple effect. When platforms lower costs and streamline processes, more retail investors may feel empowered to start or expand their investment journeys. In the case of Singapore’s market, which has seen renewed trading activity, making participation more cost-effective could support a more resilient and engaged local shareholder base.
Industry analysts have recently upgraded their outlooks for SGX, citing the exchange’s strong fundamentals and the return of retail interest as reasons for optimism. Singapore’s regulatory environment, combined with growing multi-asset participation, has contributed to rising trading volumes and greater investor confidence.
For Tiger Brokers Singapore, the message is clear: supporting SGX investors — whether they trade frequently or occasionally — is good for both business and the broader market. The brokerage sees itself as part of a community effort to encourage more Singaporeans to take part in local equity markets, invest for the future, and build wealth over time.
Retail investors, in turn, now have more control over how and when they participate, without worrying about fees for simply holding their investments. The option to use CPF funds within the same app further streamlines the process for those focused on retirement planning.
Looking ahead, the brokerage says it will continue to review its offerings and features in response to user feedback and evolving market trends.
Take charge of your investment today and open a Tiger Trade account here to enjoy zero custody fees on SGX stocks.
Disclaimer:
*T&Cs apply. Please refer to our website at https://www.itiger.com/sg/commissions for other applicable fees. Not financial advice. Investment involves risk. The price of investment instruments can and do fluctuate, and any individual instrument may experience upward or downward movements, and under certain circumstances may even become valueless. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
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