Singapore payments and fintech update

January 21, 2019

In this bulletin we cover the following key developments in the payments and fintech space:

  • Payment Services Bill: On 14 January 2019, the Payment Services Bill (Bill) was passed by the Singapore Parliament. When it comes into force, the Payment Services Act (as the enacted Bill will be known) will introduce two regulatory frameworks: a designation scheme which enables the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to designate significant payment systems for financial stability reasons, and a licensing regime which allows MAS to regulate a wider range of payment services, including cryptocurrency dealing and exchange services, in a proportionate manner depending on the scope and scale of the provider’s services.
  • Sandbox Express: On 14 November 2018, MAS released a consultation paper on Sandbox Express, which comprises a set of pre-defined sandboxes to complement the existing approached of customized sandboxes.
  • Digital Token Offerings: On 3 December 2018, MAS updated its Guide to Digital Token Offerings which provides general guidance on the application of the securities laws administered by MAS to offers or issues of digital tokens in Singapore.

For more information on these key developments, please see our full bulletin here.

Key contacts

Natalie Curtis
Natalie Curtis
Of Counsel (Herbert Smith Freehills), Singapore
+65 6868 9805
Grace Chong
Grace Chong
Senior Associate (Herbert Smith Freehills), Singapore
+65 6868 8059
Kenneth Lo
Kenneth Lo
Associate (Herbert Smith Freehills), Singapore
+65 6868 9827

Sandra Tsao
Sandra Tsao
Of Counsel (Prolegis), Singapore
+65 6812 1353

Singapore’s MAS issues Guide to Digital Token Offerings

November 21, 2017

On 14 November 2017, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued a guide during the first day of the Singapore FinTech Festival to provide general guidance on the application of the securities laws administered by the MAS, namely the Securities and Futures Act (SFA) and the Financial Advisers Act, to offers or issues of digital tokens in Singapore.

This follows the MAS’s clarification on 1 August 2017 that an offer or issue of digital tokens would be regulated if these tokens constitute products which are regulated under the SFA. Our e-bulletin in August 2017 regarding the clarification can be accessed here.

In our recent bulletin, we highlight the key points in the MAS guide and set out our observations. If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Asia team (below) or your usual Herbert Smith Freehills contact.

Key contacts

Will Hallatt
Will Hallatt
Partner, Hong Kong
+852 2101 4036
Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan
Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan
Partner, Singapore
+65 6868 8078
Hannah Cassidy
Hannah Cassidy
Partner, Hong Kong
+852 2101 4133

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is licensed to operate as a foreign law practice in Singapore. Where advice on Singapore law is required, we will refer the matter to and work with licensed Singapore law practices where necessary.

MAS CONSULTS ON REGULATIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF DIGITAL ADVISORY SERVICES

August 3, 2017

In line with its recognition of the rapid expansion of and new products within the fintech sphere, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued a consultation paper on 7 June 2017 on the provision of digital advisory services (ie advice on investment products using automated, algorithm-based tools, also known as “robo-advisory services”). The consultation closed on 7 July 2017.

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