A Daenary’s and Co cryptocurrency ATM sales space is pictured in Singapore, after the crypto ATM operator in Singapore stated they’ve ceased crypto buying and selling providers on their 5 crypto ATMs to adjust to Financial Authority of Singapore (MAS)’s new guideline introduced on Monday, January 19, 2022. REUTERS/Edgar Su
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SINGAPORE, Aug 29 (Reuters) – Singapore is planning to roll out new laws that may make it tougher for retail traders to commerce cryptocurrencies at a time after they appear to be “irrationally oblivious” concerning the dangers, its central financial institution chief stated.
Ravi Menon, managing director of the Financial Authority of Singapore (MAS), stated at an occasion on Monday that regardless of warnings and measures, surveys present that customers are more and more buying and selling in cryptocurrencies globally, not simply in Singapore, attracted by the prospect of sharp worth will increase.
“They appear to be irrationally oblivious concerning the dangers of cryptocurrency buying and selling,” he stated.
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“Including frictions” on retail entry to cryptocurrencies was an space the MAS was considering, he stated.
“These could embody buyer suitability exams and proscribing using leverage and credit score services for cryptocurrency buying and selling,” he added at a seminar titled “Sure to digital asset innovation, No to cryptocurrency hypothesis.”
Singapore’s welcoming strategy has helped the monetary hub appeal to digital asset services-related companies from China, India and elsewhere in the previous few years, making it a serious centre in Asia. read more
However current defaults of some international cryptocurrency-related companies based mostly in Singapore, lots of which aren’t topic to the monetary regulator’s tips on shopper safety or market conduct, has triggered worries about tighter regulation. read more
The MAS will search public suggestions on its proposals by October, Menon stated, including that critiques are ongoing by regulators globally.
In January, the MAS issued tips to restrict cryptocurrency buying and selling service suppliers from selling their providers to the general public. read more
Cryptocurrencies have plunged this yr, as U.S. rate of interest will increase and runaway inflation immediate traders to ditch riskier belongings.
“MAS’ facilitative posture on digital asset actions and restrictive stance on cryptocurrency hypothesis usually are not contradictory,” Menon stated.
U.S. crypto trade Gemini and Huobi, a crypto trade initially targeted on China, are amongst these with a serious presence in Singapore.
About 180 crypto corporations utilized for a crypto funds licence to the MAS in 2020 beneath a brand new regime however Singapore has handed out solely about two dozen licences to this point after an elaborate due diligence course of that’s nonetheless occurring.
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Reporting by Anshuman Daga and Yantoultra Ngui; Modifying by Kanupriya Kapoor and Jacqueline Wong
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.