In 2023, a multi-billion dollar money laundering case emerged, prompting Singapore, previously a tax haven and foreign investment-friendly nation, to shift its policy. Particularly for cryptocurrencies, due to their cross-border nature and associated high risks, unlicensed firms are requested to cease overseas services by June 2025. Non-compliance could lead to fines up to approximately 29 million yen and up to three years of imprisonment.
The new guidelines are based on the FSM Act, requiring DTSP companies providing services abroad to obtain an official license from MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore). However, exceptions for license issuance may be made if MAS recognizes the business model's rationality and compliance with international standards.
Requirements include:
Only a few companies will be able to obtain licenses, and those without substantial operations will be excluded.
Singapore, with a population of about 6.11 million and a land area of about 720 km², slightly larger than the 23 wards of Tokyo, is a small country. With a low birth rate and a small population, the country has historically set low corporate tax rates and provided investment incentives to attract talented individuals from abroad. Initially, there were hardly any foreign investment regulations.
However, in 2023, a multi-billion dollar money laundering case was uncovered domestically. The risk of illicit funds entering under the guise of investment incentives became apparent, prompting MAS to shift towards enhancing transparency.
Particularly, cryptocurrencies, due to their online service usage and cross-border transaction nature, pose high risks of money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.
Therefore, MAS has requested cryptocurrency firms without an approved business license to cease services abroad by June 30, 2025. Violations could result in fines up to 250,000SGD (approximately 29 million yen) and a maximum of three years imprisonment.
