How to Buy US Stocks from Malaysia (2026 Guide)

Why Malaysians Want US Stocks

Malaysia has a thriving investment culture. The Bursa Malaysia has performed reasonably well over the years, but if you look at the numbers honestly, it cannot compete with the returns of the US market. The S&P 500 returned over 180% in the past decade. The KLCI? Roughly 5-10% in the same period. That is not a typo.

Malaysian investors are increasingly aware of this gap. With companies like Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft dominating global headlines, it is natural to want a piece of the action. The weakening ringgit (MYR has lost about 25% against the USD since 2020) makes this even more urgent — holding USD-denominated assets is a hedge against ringgit depreciation.

Here is the reality for Malaysian investors in 2026:

• Bursa Malaysia has limited tech exposure — the biggest companies are banks, plantations, and telecoms


• USD appreciation means your MYR savings are slowly losing purchasing power


• US tech stocks have driven global wealth creation for 15+ years


• Diversification beyond ASEAN markets is basic financial hygiene

Traditional Options for Malaysian Investors

Rakuten Trade

Rakuten Trade is the most popular online broker in Malaysia. They launched US stock trading in 2023, and it is a solid option:

• Minimum deposit: RM 1,000


• Commission: 0.03 USD per share (min USD 1 per order)


• Currency conversion: MYR to USD at bank rates (typically 0.3-0.5% spread)


• Available stocks: 2,000+ US-listed stocks and ETFs


• Regulation: Licensed by Securities Commission Malaysia

Moomoo Malaysia

Moomoo (by Futu Holdings) entered Malaysia in 2024 and quickly gained users:

• Minimum deposit: No minimum (but realistically RM 500+ to make trades worthwhile)


• Commission: USD 0.99 per order (or 0.03% of trade value)


• Currency conversion: Built-in, similar spreads to Rakuten


• Available stocks: 7,000+ US-listed stocks and ETFs


• Regulation: Licensed by Securities Commission Malaysia

Unit Trust / Robo-Advisors

Some Malaysians use StashAway, Wahed Invest, or unit trust funds that invest in US markets. These are simple but come with management fees of 0.4-0.8% annually on top of the fund expense ratios. For passive investors, this is fine. For anyone who wants to pick individual stocks, it is not an option.

The Crypto Exchange Alternative

Here is where things get interesting. Crypto exchanges like OKX, Binance, and Bitget now offer stock tokens — tokenized derivatives that track the price of US stocks like Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, and more.

For Malaysian investors, this offers some unique advantages:

Step-by-Step Guide: Buy US Stocks from Malaysia via OKX

Step 1: Create Your OKX Account

Go to OKX and register with your email or phone number. Use referral code BUYSTOCK to get up to 20% fee discount on all trades.

The registration takes about 2 minutes. You will need:

• Email address or Malaysian phone number (+60)


• A secure password


• ID verification (Malaysian IC or passport) — takes 5-15 minutes for approval

Step 2: Deposit MYR and Convert to USDT

This is the most important step for Malaysian users. You have several options to get USDT:

Option A: OKX P2P Trading (Recommended)

1. Go to Buy Crypto > P2P Trading


2. Select Buy USDT and choose MYR as your currency


3. Browse sellers — look for verified merchants with 98%+ completion rate


4. Select a payment method: Maybank / CIMB / RHB / Touch 'n Go eWallet / GrabPay / Boost


5. Enter the amount (e.g., RM 500)


6. Complete the bank transfer or e-wallet payment


7. Once the seller confirms, USDT arrives in your Funding Account

Option B: Buy USDT from Local Exchanges First

You can buy USDT on Luno Malaysia (which is SC Malaysia-regulated) and then transfer to OKX:

1. Buy USDT on Luno using FPX (instant bank transfer)


2. Withdraw USDT to your OKX deposit address (TRC-20 network for lowest fees)


3. Wait for confirmation (usually 2-5 minutes)

Option C: Card Payment

OKX supports Visa/Mastercard purchases of USDT, but the fees are typically 2-3.5%. Not recommended unless convenience is your top priority.

Step 3: Transfer USDT to Your Trading Account

1. Go to Assets > Transfer


2. From: Funding Account → To: Trading Account


3. Select USDT and enter the amount


4. Click Transfer (instant, zero fees)

Step 4: Open a Stock Token Position

1. Go to Trade > Perpetuals


2. Search for the stock you want (e.g., TSLA-USDT, NVDA-USDT, AAPL-USDT)


3. Choose your position size — you can start from as little as $1


4. Set your leverage (1x for stock-like exposure, higher for more risk)


5. Choose Market Order (instant) or Limit Order (set your price)


6. Click Buy/Long if you think the stock will go up, or Sell/Short if you think it will go down

Step 5: Monitor and Manage Your Position

Once your position is open:

• Set a stop-loss to limit downside (e.g., 5-10% below your entry)


• Set a take-profit to lock in gains automatically


• Monitor funding rates — these are small periodic fees (positive or negative) that keep the token price aligned with the actual stock price


• Remember that US stock tokens may have lower liquidity outside US market hours (9:30 PM - 4:00 AM Malaysia time)

MYR Deposit Methods Compared

Fees: OKX Stock Tokens vs Malaysian Brokers

Let us do a real comparison. Say you want to invest RM 5,000 (roughly USD 1,050) in Tesla:

Rakuten Trade

• Currency conversion: ~RM 15-25 (0.3-0.5% spread)


• Commission: USD 1 minimum per trade


• Total cost to open: ~RM 20-30


• Annual custody fee: None


• Selling cost: Same as buying

Moomoo MY

• Currency conversion: ~RM 15-25


• Commission: USD 0.99 per order


• Total cost to open: ~RM 20-30


• Annual custody fee: None


• Selling cost: Same as buying

OKX Stock Tokens

• P2P conversion: ~RM 25-75 (0.5-1.5% spread)


• Trading fee: 0.05% = ~RM 2.50


• Total cost to open: ~RM 27-77


• Funding rate: Variable (can be positive or negative, typically 0.01-0.03% per 8 hours)


• Selling cost: 0.05% = ~RM 2.50

Shariah Compliance Considerations

Malaysia has the world's largest Islamic finance market, and many Malaysian investors care deeply about Shariah compliance. Here is the honest picture:

Traditional stocks: The Securities Commission Malaysia publishes a list of Shariah-compliant US stocks. If you buy Apple or Microsoft through Rakuten Trade, and those stocks are on the SC list, you are on solid ground from a Shariah perspective. Dividend income from Shariah-compliant stocks is generally considered halal.

Stock tokens: This is murkier. Stock tokens are derivatives — you do not own the underlying asset. From a strict Islamic finance perspective, derivatives are often considered problematic because:

1. No actual ownership (you do not own the stock, just a contract tracking its price)


2. Leverage involves implicit borrowing, which may involve interest (riba)


3. Funding rates are periodic payments that function similarly to interest


4. Speculation (maysir) concerns when using high leverage

If you still want to use stock tokens, some users minimize the concerns by:

• Using 1x leverage only (no borrowing)


• Keeping positions short-term to minimize funding rate exposure


• Only trading stocks that are on the SC Malaysia Shariah-compliant list

Tax Implications for Malaysian Investors

Good news for Malaysian investors: Malaysia does not tax capital gains on foreign stocks (as of 2026). This applies to both traditional stock investments and crypto-related trading.

Here is the tax picture:

Capital Gains

• Malaysian tax on US stock profits: 0% — Malaysia does not have a capital gains tax on foreign securities


• US withholding tax on dividends: 30% if you hold actual shares (via Rakuten/Moomoo). Not applicable for stock tokens (no dividends)


• Crypto gains: Currently not taxed in Malaysia for individual investors, though this could change

Income Tax Considerations

• If you trade frequently and it becomes your primary income source, LHDN (Inland Revenue Board) may classify it as business income and tax it at your marginal rate (up to 30%)


• Occasional investing and trading is generally not treated as business income


• Keep records of all trades in case LHDN asks

Reporting

• You are technically required to declare all worldwide income to LHDN


• Most Malaysian retail investors do not report foreign stock trading gains, but legally you should declare any income


• Stock token trading profits from crypto exchanges exist in a gray area — there is no specific LHDN guidance on tokenized stock derivatives as of early 2026

Real Talk: Risks for Malaysian Investors

I want to be upfront about the risks:

1. Regulatory risk: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Securities Commission Malaysia have not specifically addressed stock tokens. They could restrict access at any time. In 2024, BNM ordered several unlicensed crypto platforms to stop operating in Malaysia — OKX, Binance, and Bitget are not licensed by SC Malaysia.

1. Currency risk: You are exposed to MYR/USD exchange rate movements. If the ringgit strengthens significantly (unlikely but possible), your USD-denominated gains shrink when converted back.

1. Platform risk: Unlike deposits in Malaysian banks (protected by PIDM up to RM 250,000) or securities held through SC-regulated brokers, your funds on crypto exchanges have no government protection.

1. Leverage risk: The ability to use 20x leverage is a double-edged sword. A 5% stock move against you at 20x leverage wipes out your entire position.

1. Liquidity risk: Stock tokens may have wider spreads during off-hours. Trading TSLA tokens at 3 PM Malaysia time (US market is closed) may cost you more in slippage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to use OKX in Malaysia?

There is no law that specifically prohibits Malaysian residents from using overseas crypto exchanges for personal trading. However, OKX is not licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia or Bank Negara Malaysia. This means you have no regulatory protection if something goes wrong. Many Malaysians use these platforms, but you should understand the regulatory gray area.

Can I use Maybank or CIMB to deposit directly to OKX?

Not directly. Malaysian banks do not allow direct bank transfers to crypto exchanges. The workaround is P2P trading — you transfer MYR to a local seller's Maybank/CIMB account, and they release USDT to your OKX account. This is how most Malaysian crypto users operate.

How much do I need to start?

Technically, you can start with as little as $1 on OKX stock tokens. But realistically, I would recommend starting with at least RM 500-1,000. After P2P conversion fees and trading costs, amounts below RM 500 may not be practical. Compare this to Rakuten Trade's recommended RM 1,000 minimum.

Do I need to pay tax on my stock token profits in Malaysia?

As of 2026, Malaysia does not impose capital gains tax on foreign securities or crypto trading profits for individual investors. However, if trading becomes your primary income source, LHDN may classify it as business income. The regulatory landscape is evolving, so stay updated and keep records of all trades.

Which is better for long-term investing — Rakuten Trade or OKX?

For long-term buy-and-hold (months to years), Rakuten Trade or Moomoo MY are better choices. You own actual shares, have regulatory protection, and avoid ongoing funding rate costs. For active trading (days to weeks), OKX stock tokens offer lower per-trade fees, 24/7 access, fractional shares from $1, and the ability to short stocks. Many Malaysian investors use both — a traditional broker for their long-term portfolio and crypto exchanges for shorter-term trades.