1. Overview
The Auto Currency Conversion feature is an end-of-day automatic currency conversion service provided to, and enabled by default for, Tiger Brokers (Singapore) Cash Account clients. For ease of reference, this FAQ refers to it as the “Auto FX Feature”.
The Auto FX Feature works together with the cross-currency trading function. Once enabled, you may use your available cash and eligible Tiger Vault balances in one currency to trade products denominated in another currency. For example, you may use SGD balances to buy USD-denominated stocks without manually converting SGD to USD before placing the trade.
If your trade creates a negative cash balance in the trading currency, the system will automatically use your eligible Tiger Vault holdings and/or available balances in other currencies to cover the shortfall during the scheduled end-of-day process.
This feature gives you greater flexibility to trade across markets without manually converting currency before each trade. It also helps reduce the chance of interest being charged on currency shortfalls, provided there are sufficient eligible balances and the transaction falls within the relevant processing cut-off time.
2. Frequently Asked Questions
2.1 What is the Auto FX Feature?
The Auto FX Feature is an automatic end-of-day process that helps settle a negative cash balance in one currency by using your eligible balances in other currencies.
For example, if you hold SGD but buy a USD-denominated stock, your USD cash balance may become negative. The Auto FX Feature may then use your eligible SGD cash or Tiger Vault balance to convert into USD and cover the shortfall. All conversion records will be displayed in Tiger Trade App under "Convert" -> History.
2.2 Which account type supports the Auto FX Feature?
The Auto FX Feature is available for Tiger Brokers (Singapore) Cash Accounts only.
If your Cash Account is upgraded to a Margin Account, the Auto FX Feature will be deactivated automatically. If your Margin Account is later changed back to a Cash Account, the Auto FX Feature may be activated again.
2.3 How is the Auto FX Feature enabled?
The Auto FX Feature is enabled after you agree to the relevant agreements.
For new Cash Account clients, the Auto FX Feature will be enabled by default after you complete account opening and accept the relevant agreements.
For existing Cash Account clients, you may be prompted to review and accept the relevant agreements when you first log in after updating the Tiger Trade app. The Auto FX Feature will be enabled after your confirmation.
Once enabled, the Auto FX Feature cannot be switched off by clients directly within the Tiger Trade app. You may check the feature status via: Tiger Trade app > Positions > FX > Auto FX Settings
2.4 Do I need to manually convert currency before trading?
No, manual conversion is optional.
If the Auto FX Feature is enabled and you have sufficient eligible balances in other currencies, you may trade products denominated in another currency without manually converting funds first.
You may still choose to manually convert your currency before trading if you prefer to lock in the exchange rate upfront or manage your currency balances directly. Please continue to monitor your account balances and ensure you have sufficient funds available.
2.5 What balances can be used by the Auto FX Feature?
The Auto FX Feature may use:
Settled cash balances in your Cash Account.
Eligible Tiger Vault balances.
Unsettled cash balances, such as unsettled proceeds from selling securities, will not be used until they are settled.
2.6 How does the Auto FX Feature work?
If you have a negative cash balance in a currency, the Auto FX Feature will generally process it in the following order:
First, it will redeem eligible Tiger Vault holdings in the same currency as the negative balance.
If the shortfall is not fully covered, it will use available balances in one or more other currencies for conversion.
If the selected currency does not have enough cash but has eligible Tiger Vault balance, the system may redeem the relevant Tiger Vault holdings to support the conversion.
For example, if you have a USD shortfall, the system will first check whether you have USD Tiger Vault balance. If that is not enough, it may use SGD, HKD, CNH, AUD or other eligible currency balances to convert into USD.
2.7 How does the system decide which currency to convert?
If you have available balances in more than one currency, the Auto FX Feature will generally prioritise the currency with the higher available value after applying the applicable exchange rate.
This helps reduce the number of currency conversions needed. For example, if one currency balance is sufficient to cover the shortfall, the system will generally use that currency instead of splitting the conversion across multiple currencies.
If one currency is not enough to fully cover the shortfall, the Auto FX Feature may use additional eligible currency balances to complete the repayment.
2.8 What if I have negative balances in more than one currency?
If your Cash Account has negative balances in more than one currency, the Auto FX Feature will process each shortfall based on the applicable repayment sequence.
For example, if you have both a USD and HKD shortfall, the Auto FX Feature may process the USD and HKD shortfalls separately during their respective scheduled processing windows.
The actual conversion may depend on your available balances, the currencies involved, exchange rates at the time of processing, and whether any Tiger Vault redemption is required. You may see more than one conversion or redemption record in your transaction history.
2.9 When will the Auto FX Feature process currency conversion?
The Auto FX Feature is generally processed during scheduled end-of-day time windows. These conversions are scheduled with the aim of clearing eligible currency shortfalls before interest is calculated at 12:00 noon SGT on the following Business Day.
Currency of negative balance | Indicative processing time |
SGD | Monday to Friday, around 23:00 SGT on the same day |
USD | Generally around 08:00 SGT on the next day |
HKD | Monday to Friday, around 22:30 SGT on the same day |
CNH | Monday to Friday, around 23:30 SGT on the same day |
AUD | Monday to Friday, around 21:00 SGT on the same day |
Other currencies | Monday to Friday, around 00:10 SGT on the next day |
For USD shortfalls, please note that U.S. market hours may affect the Auto FX processing coverage.
During U.S. daylight saving time, U.S. after-hours trading generally ends at around 08:00 SGT, and USD Auto FX is generally scheduled at around 08:00 SGT.
During U.S. standard time, U.S. after-hours trading generally ends at around 09:00 SGT. However, USD Auto FX may still be processed at around 08:00 SGT. This means that if you create a USD shortfall from U.S. after-hours trading between around 08:00–09:00 SGT, that shortfall may not be covered by the same Auto FX cycle.
If you plan to trade during U.S. after-hours, please ensure that you have sufficient USD balance, or consider performing a manual currency conversion after trading if you wish to clear any USD shortfall earlier.
The timings above are indicative only. Tiger Brokers (Singapore) may adjust the processing schedule from time to time according to actual circumstances, including market conditions, currency holidays, system processing, fund redemption timing, or other operational reasons. Actual completion time may vary.
2.10 Will the Auto FX Feature help me avoid interest?
Yes, the Auto FX Feature is designed to help clear eligible currency shortfalls before interest is calculated, where there are sufficient eligible balances and the transaction falls within the relevant processing cut-off time.
Interest may still apply if the shortfall cannot be fully covered in time, for example where:
The negative balance is created after the relevant Auto FX cut-off time.
There are insufficient eligible balances.
Tiger Vault redemption cannot be completed in time.
The relevant currency market or settlement cycle is affected by holidays.
The conversion is delayed, only partially completed, or processed in the next Auto FX cycle.
For example, during U.S. standard time, if you trade during U.S. after-hours between around 08:00–09:00 SGT and create a USD shortfall after USD Auto FX has already been processed, the shortfall may only be covered in the next Auto FX cycle or when you perform a manual currency conversion. In such cases, USD financing interest may apply until the shortfall is fully repaid. If you plan to trade during U.S. after-hours, please ensure that you have sufficient USD balance, or consider performing a manual currency conversion after trading if you wish to clear any USD shortfall earlier.
2.11 What exchange rate will be used?
The prevailing exchange rate at the time of conversion will be used.
This rate may be different from the exchange rate shown when you placed the trade or when the negative balance was first created, as exchange rates may move during the day.
2.12 Are there any fees for using the Auto FX Feature?
The Auto FX Feature is provided free of charge as a convenience feature for Cash Account clients. It is designed to make cross-currency trading smoother by reducing the need to manually convert currency before every trade.
However, the normal foreign exchange conversion spread or applicable charges may apply when currency conversion is performed.
2.13 Will my Tiger Vault holdings be redeemed automatically?
Yes. If needed, eligible Tiger Vault holdings may be automatically redeemed to cover the currency shortfall.
This may happen without a separate instruction from you each time. Once redeemed, those holdings will no longer generate the potential returns associated with Tiger Vault from the redemption date.
2.14 Will the Auto FX Feature process on currency holidays?
The Auto FX Feature may still be processed on currency holidays. However, the settlement date of the currency conversion may be deferred according to the holiday calendar of the relevant currencies.
If settlement is deferred, the negative cash balance may remain outstanding until the relevant settlement is completed. Interest may accrue on the negative cash balance during this period.
Please refer to the Currency Settlement Holiday Rules page on the Tiger Brokers (Singapore) website for details.
2.15 Where can I view the conversion records and my cash balances?
All conversion records will be displayed in Tiger Trade App under "Convert" -> History.
You may check your cash balances by currency in Tiger Trade App under "Account" to see whether any negative balance remains outstanding.
2.16 Can the Auto FX Feature fail or be delayed?
The Auto FX Feature is an automated process, but the actual completion may depend on account balance, currency availability, market conditions, system processing, holidays, and Tiger Vault redemption timing.
If you need to clear a negative balance urgently, you may perform a manual currency conversion in the app.
2.17 What should I take note of before using the Auto FX Feature?
Please note the following:
The Auto FX Feature may perform currency conversion automatically without a separate instruction each time.
Only eligible settled cash and eligible Tiger Vault balances can be used.
Tiger Vault holdings may be automatically redeemed where required.
If the shortfall is created after the relevant cut-off time, it may only be processed in the next cycle.
Interest may apply if the negative balance is not fully cleared in time.
3. Important Notes
The Auto FX Feature is provided for trading convenience and helps you make better use of available balances across currencies in your Cash Account.
By using your Cash Account and the Auto FX Feature, you authorise Tiger Brokers (Singapore) to automatically perform currency conversion and, where applicable, redeem eligible Tiger Vault holdings to cover currency shortfalls in your Cash Account.
While the Auto FX Feature is designed to help clear eligible currency shortfalls before interest is charged, conversion may not always be completed successfully or within the expected timeframe. This may be due to factors such as insufficient eligible balances, market conditions, currency holidays, system processing, Tiger Vault redemption timing, or other operational reasons.
You should monitor your account balances regularly. Interest may apply if any negative cash balance is not fully cleared in time.
For full details, please refer to the Tiger Brokers (Singapore) Standard Customer Agreement, Fee Schedule, and Currency Settlement Holiday Rules.