Singapore

AML / KYC

Singapore Sanctions Four Russian Banks, Imposes Other Restrictions

By Manesh Samtani | 06/03/2022

FIs that have relationships with the four banks must freeze their assets. DPT service providers are prohibited from facilitating sanctions evasion with crypto and NFTs.

Securities / Derivatives

Eight SPACs Have Filed IPO Applications in Hong Kong

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 02/03/2022

The first applicant, backed by CMB International, has been approved. The latest applicant is a SPAC majority owned by ex-HKMA chief Norman Chan.

AML / KYC

MAS Issues New AML/CFT Notices for Financial Institutions

By Manesh Samtani | 02/03/2022

The Notices cover activities involving precious stones and metals, services and transactions involving digital payment tokens, and risk assessments on shell companies.

ESG / Sustainability

UK, Singapore Bolster Cooperation on Data Flows, Financial Services

By Editors | 01/03/2022

The UKSDEA promotes free flows of data between the UK and Singapore including in financial services. Both countries will work towards recognising each other’s digital identity systems.

Capital / Liquidity

MAS Introduces Liquidity Requirement for Recognised Market Operators

By Editors | 01/03/2022

Effective from 28 March, RMOs will have to hold at least 25 percent of their annual operating costs in cash and cash equivalents.

AML / KYC

Singapore, Korea, Switzerland Announce Sanctions Against Russia

By Manesh Samtani | 01/03/2022

Singapore will block certain Russian banks and financial transactions connected to Russia. Major Singapore banks are already restricting trade financing for Russian commodities.

Enforcement

MAS Bans Former OCBC Representative for Five Years

By Editors | 24/02/2022

The former representative was convicted of forgery in the State Courts last year, leading MAS to believe she would not perform financial advisory services honestly.

ESG / Sustainability

Singapore Govt, MAS to Extend Support for Businesses

By Editors | 21/02/2022

MAS is extending its SGD facility to support SME lending. Singapore will target net zero emissions by or around 2050, which was previously the target for halving emissions.

Securities / Derivatives

Singapore Has No Plans to Restrict Retail Investment in SPACs

By Darien Choong | 20/02/2022

Regulatory safeguards and educational efforts mounted by SGX should provide “adequate protection for retail investors and enable them to assess the risk-return trade-offs”.