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Singapore crypto payment license applications in final stages of review

source-logo  forkast.news 27 July 2021 04:50, UTC

Singapore’s central bank is in the final stages of reviewing applications for licenses to provide crypto payment services, according to Tharman Shanmugaratnam, minister in charge of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which regulates financial institutions in Singapore.

Fast facts

  • MAS has received 170 applications for a license to provide digital payment token (DPT) services, or 35% of the over 480 licence applications received under the Payment Services Act, which came into effect in January 2020, said Shanmugaratnam in a written reply to a parlimentary question on DPT service provider applicants on Monday.
  • No crypto payment license has been issued to DPT providers in Singapore to date. DPT service providers such as cryptocurrency exchanges Binance Asia Services, Coinbase Singapore and Gemini currently operate in Singapore with an exemption from holding a licence under the Payment Services Act. The exemption is in force until applications are approved or rejected by MAS, or withdrawn by the applicant.
  • Thirty DPT applications were withdrawn following engagement with the Singapore authority and two were rejected, Shanmugaratnam said. The list of entities that are no longer exempt can be found here.
  • “MAS closely scrutinises all applications and considers various factors. These include the applicant’s understanding of risks relating to money laundering and financing of terrorism (“ML/TF”) and the technology risks posed by their business model, as well as the adequacy of controls instituted to mitigate such risks,” Shanmugaratnam said. “We will reject applicants who fail to meet the required standards for ML/TF and technology risks set out in MAS’ regulations and notices.”
forkast.news