Singapore Allows Crypto Companies to Operate Without a License for 6 Months

Singapore Allows Crypto Companies to Operate Without a License for 6 Months

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has granted an exemption from holding a license to a number of cryptocurrency companies operating in the country under the new Payment Services Act.Among the companies benefiting from this six-month grace period are Binance, Coinbase, Gemini, Bitstamp, Luno, Upbit, and Wirex.

Also read: 2x Bitcoin — Wanna Double Your BTC to the Moon? Forget About It License Exemption Under Payment Services Act

Singapore’s central bank and financial regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), published this week a list of companies that have been granted an exemption from holding a license under the Payment Services Act (PS Act) 2019 for a specified period of time. The Act went into effect on Jan. 28; it regulates crypto service providers in Singapore.

Crypto companies that were already in business prior to the commencement of the Payment Services Act were required to notify the MAS of their businesses and have been granted a license exemption. The authority emphasized: These entities are not licensed under the PS Act to provide the specific payment services, but are allowed to continue to provide the specific payment services. The Monetary Authority of Singapore has granted a license exemption to hundreds of companies, including cryptocurrency firms that were in business prior to the commencement of the Payment Services Act.

Companies that failed to notify the central bank are in breach of the notification requirements under the new regulation, the MAS noted. These entities are neither licensed nor exempt from holding a license to provide specific payment services, including crypto services, the regulator confirmed. 6-Month Grace Period

The Payment Services Act classifies “specific payment services” into six types. They are account issuance service, domestic money transfer service, inward cross-border money transfer service, merchant acquisition service, e-money issuance service “where the total float held by the e-money issuer does not exceed $30,” and “digital payment token service.” Cryptocurrency services fall under the digital payment token service category. Cryptocurrency service providers are among the 192 companies offering “digital payment token service” that have been granted the license exemption. Among them are Binance, Coinbase, Upbit, Bitgo, Gemini, Wirex, and Ledgerx.

Companies providing digital payment token services are exempt from needing a license to operate for six months from the commencement of the Act, a period which ends on July 28, the MAS confirmed. Companies providing other types of services defined in the Act can keep operating without a license for 12 months from the Act’s commencement or until Jan. 28, 2021.

Among cryptocurrency companies that must comply with the new Payment Services Act by July 28 are Binance Asia Services, Bitcoin Exchange, Bitcross, Bitstamp, Coinbase, Coincola Singapore, Kryptos-x, Luno, Payward, Quoine, Ripple Labs Singapore, Upbit Singapore, and Zipmex. Crypto companies that are able to provide other services in addition to crypto ones include Bitgo Singapore, Gemini Trust Company, Ledgerx, Paxos Global, and Wirex. The complete list can be found here. The MAS clarified: The exemption will cease after the specified period; or if the entity submits a licence application under the PS Act, on the date that the application is approved or rejected by MAS, or withdrawn by the applicant.

What do you think of the MAS’ six-month exemption? Let us know in the comments section below. Read disclaimer Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article. Related Major South Korean Bank Prepares to Launch Crypto Services as Government Green-Lights Regulation REGULATION | 30 mins ago

Following the approval of a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies by the South Korean government, one of the largest banks in… read more. Regulatory Roundup: Crypto Regulations Advance Despite Global Crisis, Cash Shortages, Bank Closures REGULATION | 3 days ago

In this roundup, we cover crypto regulatory developments amid the global crisis effected by the coronavirus outbreak, bank closures, interest… read more. Tags in this story Bitcoin, Bitcoin exchange, BTC, crypto, crypto bill, crypto law, Crypto regulation, Cryptocurrency, cryptocurrency exchanges, Exemption, License, licensing, payment services act, Safe haven, service providers, Singapore, singapore bitcoin, singapore crypto, singapore cryptocurrency

Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons You can now purchase Bitcoin without visiting a cryptocurrency exchange. Buy BTC and BCH here. Show comments Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.