According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), over 300 firms in the nation have requested for payments and crypto exchange licences.
Among the applicants are prominent tech companies like Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. and Ant Group, Binance Holdings Ltd., as well as Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc.
These companies applied under the Payment Services Act, a comprehensive regulatory framework for companies handling activities relating to digital assets, including payments and trading.
MAS currently regulates service providers which deal with the exchange of cryptocurrencies when they possess the money or cryptocurrency. Under the act, the authority’s powers include regulatory measures on such providers even if they may not posses the money or cryptocurrency involved.
The authority’s chief financial technology officer, Sopnendu Mohanty, said in an interview with Bloomberg that the MAS is still processing the applications of companies seeking licenses to operate services in payments and crypto exchanges in the city.
“Giving licences to somebody is a premium, it is not something to be taken lightly. We are ensuring that whoever gets an MAS license will be credible,” Mohanty said.
A timeline for when the first license would be issued was not given, but firms may continue offering specific payment services while their applications are being processed.
Increased cryptocurrency demand in Singapore
Cryptocurrencies have been gaining popularity internationally since the introduction of the first one, Bitcoin, in 2009.
As demand for cryptocurrencies soar, the private sector here have taken steps to bolster its presence in cryptocurrencies.
DBS Bank for instance, has recently launched a trust solution for cryptocurrencies via the bank’s wholly-owned trust company, DBS Trustee. It is also Asia’s first bank-backed trust solution for crypto.
Most recently, it was reported that global lifestyle and gaming firm Razer is “carefully evaluating” a potential entry into the cryptocurrency space.
Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology is a key content pillar for Vulcan Post. You can find the rest of our cryptocurrency coverage here.
Featured Image Credit: Aspire App, WWD, Trending Topics
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Life Style News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
Denial of responsibility! NewsAzi is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
