Digital Assets & Tokenisation Regulation in Malaysia
Malaysia regulates digital assets through the securities framework rather than a separate crypto law. Since 2019, digital currencies and digital tokens that meet prescribed criteria are treated as securities, and exchanges, token offering platforms and custodians need SC registration. 2026 has been an unusually busy year: in January the SC confirmed that licensed brokers may offer digital asset broking under strict conditions, in May it revised the Guidelines on Recognized Markets to let exchanges list eligible tokens without case-by-case approval while tightening capital, custody and management requirements, and Bank Negara Malaysia is running a three-year Asset Tokenization Roadmap from 2026 to 2028.
This awareness-level day gives boards, management, product, legal and compliance teams a working map of that framework, whether they sit in a licensed operator, a bank or Islamic finance team exploring tokenisation, a property developer or REIT looking at tokenised real estate, a supply chain finance business, or a law or audit firm advising any of them: what a token legally is, which entity may do what, and where tokenisation of real-world assets is heading. It is about the regulatory map, not operating procedures. Teams running a platform day to day should follow on with Crowdfunding & Digital Asset Platform Compliance, and AML for digital assets is covered in Anti-Money Laundering for Crowdfunding & Digital Asset Platforms.
HRD Corp SBL-Khas Claimable
Programme Agenda
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Welcome and Programme Overview
Introduction to the session, objectives, and housekeeping.
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
When Is a Token a Security?
The 2019 prescription order that brought digital currencies and digital tokens into the securities definition, utility against investment tokens, stablecoins, and why the label a project gives its token does not decide how it is regulated. Short case exercises on classifying tokens.
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Who May Do What: Exchanges, Token Offerings, Custodians and Brokers
The regulated roles: digital asset exchanges, initial exchange offering operators, digital asset custodians, and since January 2026, licensed brokers offering digital asset broking with advance notice, cash-upfront trading and approved custody. What remains prohibited, and the SC's action against unregistered exchanges.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The May 2026 Revision in Practice
The 14th revision of the Guidelines on Recognized Markets: the liberalised token listing framework, stronger financial, shareholding and management competency requirements, the 80:20 cold to hot wallet custody split with no co-mingling of client assets, and FMOS ombudsman membership for exchange operators during 2026. What this means for competitors, partners and new entrants.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Tokenisation of Real-World Assets
BNM's Asset Tokenization Roadmap 2026 to 2028, its Digital Asset Innovation Hub and industry working group, and the pilots in supply chain finance, Islamic finance and property. Tokenised securities on ECF and token offering platforms. Where the Capital Market Masterplan 2026 to 2030 points for digital markets.
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Break
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Risk, Governance and Board Questions
Custody and key management risk, market integrity, investor protection and technology risk in a digital asset business. The questions a board should ask before launching or partnering on a digital asset product. Knowledge check and certificates.
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Wrap-Up and Q&A
Key takeaways, next steps, and close.
Key Outcomes
- Explain when a digital token or currency is regulated as a security in Malaysia
- Distinguish the roles of exchanges, token offering operators, custodians and brokers
- Summarise the May 2026 Recognized Markets revision and the January 2026 broking clarification
- Describe BNM's tokenisation roadmap and the real-world asset pilots it covers
- Identify the key governance and risk questions for a digital asset product
Training Mode Physical / Online / Hybrid / e-learning
HRD Corp SBL-Khas Claimable
Level Awareness. For directors, senior management, product, legal, compliance and finance teams at digital asset businesses, banks, Islamic finance units, property developers, REITs, supply chain finance firms and professional advisers. No technical blockchain background required.
Duration 1 Day (8 Hours) | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue In-house at the client's premises, or delivered via the client's preferred platform (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or equivalent)
Assessment Written knowledge check
Certificate Certificate of Completion issued to all participants upon full attendance