Malaysian investors increasingly diversify globally via US stocks, S&P 500 ETFs, and international markets accessible through online brokers. In 2026, platforms like Moomoo, Tiger Brokers, and Interactive Brokers offer direct access. Here is the complete guide to overseas investing from Malaysia.
Platforms for Overseas Investing from Malaysia 2026
| Platform | Markets | Min Investment | Commission | MYR Deposit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moomoo Malaysia | US, HK, SG, AU | USD 0 | USD0 (US stocks) | Yes (convert) |
| Tiger Brokers Malaysia | US, HK, SG | USD 0 | USD0.99/trade | Yes |
| Interactive Brokers | 135+ markets | USD 0 | Very low | No (USD) |
| Rakuten Trade (Global) | US markets | USD 0 | Competitive | Yes |
US Withholding Tax on Dividends
The US imposes 30% withholding tax on dividends paid to non-US investors. Under the Malaysia-US tax treaty (limited), this may be reduced in some cases. Interest and capital gains from US stocks are generally NOT subject to US tax for foreign investors โ only dividends attract WHT. Factor this in when choosing US dividend stocks vs growth stocks.
Currency Risk: MYR vs USD
USD-denominated investments carry MYR/USD currency risk. When MYR weakens vs USD, your overseas portfolio values increase in MYR terms. When MYR strengthens, they decrease. Malaysian investors in US stocks since 2015 have benefited from MYR depreciation (approximately 20% gain from currency alone).
Tax Treatment in Malaysia
Malaysia does not have capital gains tax for individuals. Gains from overseas stock investments are generally not taxed in Malaysia. However, frequent trading may be assessed as business income by LHDN. Keep investments clearly as long-term holdings to avoid business income classification.
Our editorial team specialises in Malaysian personal finance โ covering loans, taxation, insurance, EPF, and Islamic finance. Every article is fact-checked against Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), LHDN, and major Malaysian bank publications. We reference our calculators (which use industry-standard formulas) to ensure consistency between our written content and tools. Learn more about our methodology โ