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Singapore Could be the First Country to Fully Embrace Cryptocurrencies

Singapore Could be the First Country to Fully Embrace Cryptocurrencies
illustration © fintechnews.sg

It seems that the Singaporean government has a well-thought-out plan for introducing cryptocurrencies into their economy, according to TechCrunch.

The Singapore Consensus 2018 welcomed thousands of cryptocurrency visionaries, entrepreneurs, and experts to discuss and create new links that might form the foundation of the future of the industry. 

Some of the most interesting updates have come from regulators, and specifically, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The financial regulator openly discussed its views on cryptocurrency and plans to develop blockchain technology locally.

Monetary Authority of Singapore. Image: Tech Crunch
Monetary Authority of Singapore. Image: Tech Crunch

Bitcoinist reports the MAS makes a clear discrimination between different types of cryptocurrencies: utility tokens, payment tokens, and security tokens. Damien Pang, the Head of FinTech Ecosystem and Infrastructure within MAS explained that the agency has no plans on regulating the technology itself, but will regulate its purpose.

Neither will it introduce regulations for all crypto products under one umbrella. He indicated that payment and security tokens will certainly require some form of oversight because of their nature, but utility tokens don’t need to be covered by the same framework.

Damien Pang, the MAS’ Head of Technology Infrastructure. Image: BTCenthereum
Damien Pang, the MAS’ Head of Technology Infrastructure. Image: BTCenthereum

Singapore is the First Stop for Foreign Companies in Crypto

There are a number of companies all over Asia, as well as in the West, that have already made moves into the country. And the types of cryptocurrency projects and exchanges that go to Singapore vary widely.

A few months ago, Tech Crunch reported, a Korean team called MVL introduced Tada, or the equivalent of “Uber” on the blockchain, in Singapore. Tada is an on-demand car sharing service that utilizes MVL’s technology. 

Relatedly, Didi, China’s ride-sharing company, has also looked to build out its own blockchain-based ride-sharing program, called VVgo. VVgo’s launch is pending, and its home is intended to be in Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong or San Francisco. Given Singapore’s geographic proximity and the transparency of its regulators, it would likely be a good testing ground for Didi as well.

 

Didi, the ride-sharing giant of China. Image: The Verge
Didi, the ride-sharing giant of China. Image: The Verge

Singaporean regulators have arguably been pioneering economic and regulatory standards in Asia since the early days of the country’s founding by Lee Kuan Yew in 1965.

It now wants to maintain that edge by pushing forward with creating the necessary framework to be one of the first in cryptocurrency adoption and adaptation.

When compared to other Asia crypto hubs like Hong Kong, Seoul, or Shanghai, Singapore can expose one to the Southeast Asia market significantly more.

According to Tech Crunch, market activity will likely continue to thrive in the region as the country continues to act as the springboard for cryptocurrency companies and investors, and until countries like Korea and Japan establish a clear regulatory stance.

 

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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