Singapore strengthens crypto oversight
MAS revises PSA to cover crypto custody, aiming to enhance user protection.
Upbit Singapore secures coveted MPI license
Upbit joins 15 other crypto firms permitted to provide digital payment token services in Singapore.
Singapore, Japan, Switzerland and U.K. to collaborate on digital assets pilots
The MAS said that its previous tokenization pilots demonstrated great potential benefits of the technology.
Upbit Singapore receives in-principal license from MAS
Singapore’s major payment institution license will enable Upbit to continue offering regulated digital asset services while awaiting its full license.
SBF trial kicks off, Singapore gives crypto licenses as blockchain data comes to rescue
Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Forkast’s Megha Chaddah, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions.
Coinbase is “doubling down” on Singapore following license, says country director
The largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange will be launching more products and services in the Lion City, Coinbase’s Hassan Ahmed says.
Ripple attains Singapore license to offer digital payment token services
The Asia-Pacific branch of Ripple Labs has received a Major Payments Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Coinbase obtains Singapore’s Major Payment Institutions license
The Major Payment Institution license from Singapore’s central bank allows the exchange to expand its digital payment token services in the Lion City.
How Singapore is redefining Web3’s public-private landscape
Now a top-ranked crypto hub, Singapore is a shiny example of the central role that government can play in nurturing industry growth while bolstering consumer protections.
Half a world away — Gary Gensler’s SEC dominates discussion at Singapore’s Token 2049
Billed as Asia’s largest crypto event, Token 2049 took place over Sept. 13-14 in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore. Drawing over 10,000 attendees from all parts of the world, there was excitement about blockchain adoption in the region. But repeat references to one man were a reminder of the U.S. regulatory concerns weighing heavily on the crypto industry.
Standard Chartered’s crypto custody arm Zodia launches in Singapore
Zodia Custody owned by Standard Chartered, announced Tuesday that it is launching its services in Singapore for financial institutions.
India’s G20 Presidency, Blockchain Week & Singapore’s new President
As the 2023 G20 Summit is set to kickoff over the weekend, we take a closer look at India’s role in kicking off its crypto regulation agenda.
Singapore’s Stablecoin framework, Australia’s crypto landscape & Binance shuts ‘Connect’
Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Angie Lau, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions. Coming up on today’s show:
Will Singapore steady the stablecoin ship?
Top blockchain and crypto news: Singapore steps up stablecoin rules. DeGods decline. Hong Kong’s third crypto license.
Singapore unveils stablecoin regulatory framework
The Monetary Authority of Singapore unveiled a stablecoin regulatory framework on Tuesday as the city-state aims to become a global hub for the crypto industry.
Shanghai plans blockchain infrastructure hub to link with Hong Kong, Singapore by 2025
Shanghai plans to build a blockchain infrastructure by the end of 2025 and establish links with Hong Kong and Singapore.
South Korea, Singapore, Thailand clarify crypto rules as U.S. in state of regulatory ‘warfare’
While Asia nations such as Singapore and Thailand seem to be following the U.S. regulator in frowning upon certain products offered by crypto exchanges, the approach in Asia so far seems to be clarity instead of court battles, in contrast with North America
Singapore, Thailand clarify crypto rules; NFTs become new cultural frontier
Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Angie Lau, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions. Coming up on today’s show:
No surprise as Singapore, Thailand step up crypto regulation
Southeast Asia steps up regulation. No end in sight for NFT market decline. Voyager’s shrinking portfolio.
Singapore’s DBS starts e-CNY bank services for China clients
Singapore-based DBS bank has introduced a “merchant collection solution” using e-CNY – China’s central bank digital currency – to allow corporate clients of DBS China to collect payments from their customers in e-CNY, and avail the automated settlement of e-CNY directly into their bank deposit account.
Singapore to require crypto firms to hold customer assets in a trust; restricts lending, staking by retail users
Cryptocurrency service providers in Singapore will have to keep customer assets under a statutory trust before the end of the year, for safekeeping purposes, the city state’s central bank announced Monday.
Ripple executive spells out Asia future after license success in Singapore
Ripple Labs’ Asia-Pacific branch is offering digital payment services in Singapore after receiving in-principle approval of its license application from the MAS on June 22. What does that mean for the company’s Asia business?
Singapore outlines design framework for interoperable networks in collaboration with financial firms
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the city state’s central bank, has proposed a framework for designing open, interoperable networks for digital assets, developed jointly with the Bank for International Settlements and other financial institutions.
UAE welcomes digital assets as Ripple wins in Singapore
As Ripple receives an in-principle approval for Singapore’s digital payment license, institutional investors continue to look toward Bitcoin ETFs.
Ripple gets in-principle approval for Singapore digital payment license
The Asia-Pacific arm of San Francisco-based technology firm Ripple Labs saidThursday it received in-principle approval to start offering digital payment services in Singapore.
Singapore central bank, Amazon, IMF unveil ‘purpose-bound’ money technical concept
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) released on Wednesday a whitepaper for “purpose bound” money, detailing a technical overview of digital currencies designed for specific purposes.
US SEC sues major exchanges; Circle gets Singapore license
Welcome to Forkast IQ, presented by Forkast’s Megha Chaddah, where we look beyond the headlines to get you insights that power smarter decisions.
USDC stablecoin issuer Circle obtains Singapore license for digital payments, others
Circle Singapore said Wednesday it has received a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Singapore’s Temasek cuts employee compensation for failed FTX investment decision
Temasek, Singapore’s state-owned investment firm, said on Monday that it has cut the pay of senior management and the investment team involved in the decision to invest in the now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange.
Singapore’s OCBC Bank, ADDX exchange launches tokenized structure notes
OCBC Bank will offer tokenized equity-linked structured notes to accredited investors, in a partnership with private market exchange ADDX.
Hong Kong? Singapore? Tokyo? Seoul? Dubai? The race is on for the Web3 hub of Asia | Part 2
While U.S. regulators continue debating over whether cryptocurrencies are securities or commodities, the digital assets industry is being pleasantly welcomed by several Asian cities. And the competition is really hotting up now.
Hong Kong? Singapore? Tokyo? Seoul? Dubai? The race is on for the Web3 hub of Asia | Part 1
As U.S. regulators file lawsuits against cryptocurrency platforms, prompting some digital asset companies to seek more favorable jurisdictions, a fleet of cities in Asia are putting out the welcome mat, seeking to attract the jobs and investment that Web3 technologies promise. Right now, Hong Kong seems to be grabbing the limelight, but it has competition.
Singapore developing guidelines for banks on crypto clients: Bloomberg
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is reportedly working on guidelines to help local banks vet and provide banking services to cryptocurrency clients
Singapore’s Alchemy Pay eyes South Korea expansion with US$10 mln funding
Alchemy Pay is eyeing expansion in South Korea following its US$10 million funding from blockchain investment firm DWF Labs.
Singapore to publish crypto, stablecoin consultation feedback by mid-2023
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) aims to publish cryptocurrency and stablecoin consultations feedback by the middle of this year, it said Monday.
Singapore-based Crypto.com gets preparatory license to expand services in Dubai
Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Crypto.com will soon be able to extend its services in Dubai, after it received a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) Preparatory License from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
Crypto data provider Kaiko to move Asia HQ to Hong Kong from Singapore: Bloomberg
Paris-based Kaiko will move its Asian headquarters to Hong Kong as it sees growing crypto-related opportunities in the city.
How Singapore’s crypto ambitions are taking shape and what other nations can learn
Unique in the world, Singapore is a big investor and player in digital assets while advancing regulations that favor institutions over individual crypto users, writes Danny Chong of Tranchess.
Singapore police begin probe linked to Do Kwon’s Terraform Labs: Bloomberg
Singapore’s police have begun investigations linked to Terraform Labs that was co-founded by fugitive Do Kwon, according to a Bloomberg report.
Singapore’s DDEx eyes security token offerings, mulls adding more cryptocurrencies
DBS bank’s digital exchange, which serves institutional clients, said macroeconomic conditions last year were not suitable for security token offerings (STO), but it will explore opportunities for such listings in 2023 and plans to add more crypto tokens.
Huobi plans to move headquarters to Hong Kong from Singapore
Cryptocurrency exchange Huobi Global is seeking to relocate its Asia headquarters from Singapore to Hong Kong.
Singapore’s DBS Digital Exchange’s Bitcoin trade volume grows 80% in 2022
DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx), one of Asia’s first bank-backed digital exchanges, has reported a year-on-year increase of 80% in Bitcoin traded in financial year 2022, while the number of Bitcoin custodized with the bank doubled from 2021.
Singapore’s DBS bank plans to apply for crypto license in HK: report
Singapore’s DBS Group plans to apply for a license to offer crypto to Hong Kong customers as the city pushes to become a hub for digital assets.
Regulators should not legitimize ‘purely speculative’ crypto activity: Singapore’s monetary authority chief
Regulators should not legitimize “purely speculative” activity in crypto markets following the collapse of FTX, said Monetary Authority of Singapore Chairmen.
Singapore-based crypto unicorn Amber Group slashes Hong Kong workforce, SCMP reports
Singapore-based digital asset manager Amber Group has cut its Hong Kong staff by half to 40 to weather a slump in cryptocurrency prices and a cascade of bankruptcies in the industry.
Singapore court extends crypto lender Vauld’s creditor protection to Feb. 28
The Singapore High Court has extended the creditor protection period for crypto lender Vauld to Feb. 28, as the firm has yet to come up with a revival plan
MetaComp becomes the latest crypto exchange to receive Singapore license
Singapore-based crypto exchange MetaComp has been granted Singapore’s license, enabling it to offer digital asset exchange and custody services to institutional investors.
Blockchain is transforming capital markets, and Singapore is leading the way: Opinion
Asset tokenization and DeFi hold tremendous potential for the finance sector, writes Han Kwee Juan of DBS Bank. Here’s how the Singaporean government is at the forefront of change.
Singapore’s Matrixport eyes US$100 mln fundraiser at US$1.5 bln valuation
Singapore-based crypto lender Matrixport is hoping to raise US$100 million at a valuation of US$1.5 billion, according to a Bloomberg report citing unnamed sources.
Singapore police say they are investigating crypto lender Hodlnaut on fraud allegations
Singapore’s white-collar crime unit is investigating Hodlnaut on allegations of fraud, according to a statement on the website of the Singapore police dated Nov. 23.
Singapore’s DBS bank completes intraday repurchase transaction on JPMorgan’s blockchain-based platform
Singapore-based DBS bank, the largest lender in Southeast Asia, has said it is the first bank in Asia to complete an intraday repurchase transaction on a blockchain-based network.
Singapore’s central bank says not possible to protect local users from FTX fallout
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Monday that it was not possible for the central bank to protect local users from FTX’s collapse as the crypto exchange operated offshore and was not licensed by MAS.
South Korea, Singapore, Japan biggest users of FTX pre-collapse, says CoinGecko
South Korea, Singapore and Japan were the biggest users of FTX.com based on the number of monthly unique visitors from January to October 2022
How Hong Kong and Singapore can make Asia the center of crypto’s future
Yes, there is rivalry between the two global finance hubs. But their strengths are also complementary for Asia to become an even bigger crypto powerhouse, writes Lily Z. King.
Singapore’s Temasek writes off US$275 mln in FTX
Temasek says its belief in Sam Bankman-Fried may have been ‘misplaced.’
Singapore’s central bank partners New York Fed to explore wholesale CBDCs
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has partnered The New York Innovation Center of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, to study if wholesale central bank digital currencies (wCBDCs) can make cross-border payments more efficient.
Singapore’s Temasek holds stake in FTX, a target of Binance takeover
Singapore’s state-owned investment firm Temasek is a shareholder in embattled cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which faces a possible takeover by bigger rival Binance
Stablecoin, CBDC issues take center stage at Singapore’s Future of Finance Forum
Central bank digital currencies draw fire over inflation, privacy and threat to innovation, as questions raised over status of stablecoins in digital asset ecosystem.
Crypto asset manager HashKey gets Singapore’s in-principle license
HashKey Capital Singapore, an investment arm of Hong Kong-based HashKey Group, said on Friday that it received an in-principle approval for the Capital Markets Services license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Singapore vs Hong Kong
Hong Kong and Singapore are now locked in a battle over the future of crypto in Asia – but who will emerge victorious?
‘End of the beginning’ in blockchain development, Singapore FinTech Festival speakers declare
Bursting of speculative bubble described as a turning point in the evolution of digital assets as industry players and observers welcome promise of mainstream adoption and better governance.
Singapore still aims to be a crypto hub, minus speculative trading
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) wants to build the city-state into a “crypto hub” fueled by instant settlements, tokenized assets and programmable money, not “speculating in cryptocurrencies,” Ravi Menon, the central bank’s managing director, said at the Singapore FinTech Festival on Thursday.
Singapore’s Project Ubin+ to study cross-border FX with CBDCs
The MAS launched Project Ubin+ on Thursday, a collaborative initiative with international partners to explore cross-border foreign exchange settlements using wholesale CBDC.
Singapore fintech fest raises profile of industry that wants to ‘disappear’
Digital asset and blockchain highlights of event draw huge crowds, even as industry figures say they want the technology behind them to become just a normal component of the finance system.
Payments platform StraitsX to show real-world stablecoin use at Singapore Fintech Festival
Singapore-based StraitsX, a payments infrastructure for digital assets, will pilot stablecoin applications at the ongoing Singapore Fintech Festival.
Singapore lender DBS explains its DeFi experiments, plans
DBS, the largest bank in Southeast Asia, said it tested trading of foreign exchange and government bonds using permissioned decentralized finance (DeFi) liquidity pools on a public blockchain as part of the city-state’s Project Guardian exploration of blockchain in finance.
USDC stablecoin issuer Circle wins Singapore digital payment license
The issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin is joining a fleet of companies in the digital asset industry moving into Singapore. What’s the attraction?
Singapore’s Tokenize crypto exchange opens platform for institutional investors
Cryptocurrency exchanges in Singapore are shifting focus to heavy-hitter investors, such as family offices and financial institutions, in line with the central bank’s warnings about the risks in retail crypto trading.
Singapore’s digital marketplace Alta buys Hg Exchange
Singapore-based Alta, a digital marketplace for alternative investments, has acquired private digital securities exchange Hg Exchange (HGX) for an undisclosed amount.
Singapore’s DBS Bank trials use of digital SingDollar with vouchers
DBS Bank, the largest lender in Southeast Asia, has partnered the Singapore government’s Open Government Products (OGP) to pilot purpose-bound money-based vouchers (PBM) using tokenized Singapore dollars to facilitate live transactions with selected merchants.
Terra CEO Do Kwon faces lawsuit in Singapore, next hearing on Wednesday
A hearing is scheduled in Singapore on a lawsuit filed against Terraform Labs’ Do Kwon on behalf of investors who lost about US$57 million in the collapse of Terra-LUNA.
Singapore’s huge decision
Singapore’s High Court blocked any potential sale and transfer of ownership of the NFT BAYC 2162. What implications could that have globally?