Top fintech stories this week – 16 November 2018
Catch up on FinTech Futures’ top five fintech stories of the week – all in one place!
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Canada, UK and Singapore prep for blockchain-powered payments
Central banks and regulator reveal heightened interest and assesses alternative models.
Sandbox Express steams into Singapore’s fintech station
Monetary Authority of Singapore quickly thinks up pre-defined sandbox concept.
Singapore Exchange and regulator in cross-DLT settlement breakthrough
They have developed delivery versus payment capabilities for the settlement of tokenised assets.
Singapore regulator preps $5bn for finance investment
Wants a “stronger platform for growth finance and infrastructure development”.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, is Singapore’s AI fairest of them all?
Regulator wants fairness, ethics, accountability and transparency.
Singapore unveils world’s first unified payment QR code
SGQR will be adopted by 27 payment schemes.
Singapore Exchange and regulator seek cross-DLT settlement
Developing delivery versus payment (DvP) capabilities.
Standard Chartered hit with $4.8m fine for AML and CFT breaches
Risk management and controls were “unsatisfactory”.
Singapore regulator gives customer onboarding guidance
New guidance on the use of tech solutions for non-face-to-face customer onboarding.
Fintech alliance round-up: 23 November 2017
It’s that time again where alliances are formed and friendships are made in our latest co-operative filled round-up. Featuring the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Dubai Financial Services Authority, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and Iran and Malaysia planning to establish banking ties.
Singapore regulator calls for more feedback on payments law
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has launched a second consultation on its proposed regulatory framework, known as the Payment Services Bill. According to MAS, the Bill will streamline the regulation of services under a single legislation, expand the scope of regulated activities to include virtual currency services and “calibrate regulation according to the risks […]
Payments round-up: 20 November 2017
It pays to pay attention to the pacey payments precinct. Our latest round-up comprises Glint’s golden launch, BillPro’s licence and QR codes in Singapore. Glint, an electronic payment system that enables gold to be used as a currency, has launched its account and app based technology in the UK. Jason Cozens, CEO, Glint, says: “Everyone […]
Fintech funding round-up: 17 November 2017
Following on from yesterday’s (16 November) fintech funding fun, here’s another summary. Features Flender, Tipigo Ventures, India Accelerator, Kuants, Sumeru and a handy $2 billion in Singapore. Return to Flender. Address known. As reported in May, peer-to-peer lending start-up Flender was seeking to get €1 million in funding and is targeting a UK launch after […]
Blockchain and Bitcoin round-up: 15 November 2017
Following on from yesterday’s (14 November) news, here’s our latest blockchain and Bitcoin round-up. Featuring Trustology, Accenture, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Association of Banks in Singapore, Square and London Block Exchange. Another day, another new firm. Trustology has emerged from stealth and revealed it is building a peer-to-peer network of smart contract compute services. Trusted […]
Fintech alliance round-up: 15 November 2017
Shoot it in the right direction, make making it your intention, live those fintech dreams, scheme those schemes, and hit me with those alliances and teams. Our friendly round-up features ASEAN Fintech Network, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Polish Financial Supervision Authority and Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Welcome to the ASEAN Fintech Network (AFN), a new […]
Singapore and Thailand mull digital payments alliance
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of Thailand are in discussions about connecting their national digital payment systems as officials step up efforts to curb the use of cash, according to Bloomberg. The link would bring together Southeast Asia’s first national digital payment platforms, Singapore’s PayNow and Thailand’s PromptPay, says Naphongthawat Phothikit, […]
Singapore sets Phase 2 to stun for blockchain inter-bank payments
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) say that the consortium which they are leading has developed software prototypes for improved payments on blockchain. The prototypes included three different models for decentralised inter-bank payments and settlements with liquidity savings mechanisms. The project, conducted together with 11 financial institutions […]
Fintech alliance round-up: 15 September 2017
The power of love, a force from above, cleaning my soul – flame on burn desire, love with tongues of fire, purge the soul, make fintech alliances your goal. Our latest cuddly round-up features the Securities Commission Malaysia, Dubai Financial Services Authority, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Taiwan Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. The Securities Commission Malaysia […]
Fintech alliance round-up: 5 September 2017
What the world needs now is love, sweet love. And fintech is on hand to deliver with a pair of co-operation agreements. Features the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Chongqing; and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority and Israel. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Chongqing Financial Affairs Office and the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative […]
Singapore’s Payments Council seeks road to common QR code
The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) new Payments Council plans to set up interoperable electronic payments and has unveiled a taskforce to develop a common QR code for the city-state. As reported earlier this month, the Council launched and comprises 20 people from banks, payment service providers, businesses, and trade associations. MAS says the setting […]
Monetary Authority of Singapore plans payments council
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) says it will establish a Payments Council with the plan to create an “e-payment society” for the city state. The new council will comprise 20 people from banks, payment service providers, businesses, and trade associations. Members are appointed for a two-year term. MAS says the setting up of the […]
Thailand ties the fintech knot with Singapore
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have signed a fintech co-operation agreement and updated an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) on banking supervision. The agreement aims to help develop a “richer financial ecosystem” in Thailand and Singapore as well as in ASEAN. The pair will share information on emerging […]
Singapore regulator urges law change for sound financial system
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is calling for a second reading of a Bill that it says will ensure a sound and resilient financial system for the city-state. MAS is pushing for “The Monetary Authority of Singapore (Amendment) Bill 2017″ because it says it needs to update its laws and regulations that deal with […]
Singapore regulator gives and takes advice on robo-advice
The humans at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have laid down some guidelines and want opinions on providing robo-advisory services. In a consultation paper released today (7 June), MAS says it seeks to support innovation in financial services by recognising the unique characteristics of digital platforms. MAS states that financial institutions (FIs) regulated under […]
IFC and Singapore regulator are AFIN it large for Asian innovation
International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) are working together to establish and develop their ASEAN Financial Innovation Network (AFIN). IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and MAS have signed a memorandum of co-operation. Through AFIN, they plan to establish a regional network to help financial institutions, fintech firms […]
Paper put in place by Singapore’s simpler banking plan
Singapore is piloting a new initiative to let people apply for a bank account without needing to submit supporting documentation. The Smart Nation and Digital Government Office, Government Technology Agency and Monetary Authority of Singapore, have begun a pilot with four banks to explore simplifying online banking transactions with the use of the government’s MyInfo […]
Singapore regulator and UN team up for ASEAN financial inclusion
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) have teamed up to improve access to digital financial services in the ASEAN region. The partnership is under the ongoing UNCDF’s Shift (Shaping Inclusive Finance Transformations) programme for development in this part of the world. Sopnendu Mohanty, chief fintech officer, MAS, […]
Singapore and France boost fintech ties
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has signed agreements with France’s Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR) and the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) to enhance fintech co-operation between both countries. ACPR is responsible for supervising the banking and insurance sectors in France, while AMF is an independent public authority responsible for ensuring […]
Singapore and Japan set up fintech framework
The Financial Services Agency of Japan (JFSA) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have established a co-operation framework for fintech links between both countries. The framework enables MAS and JFSA to refer fintech companies in their countries to each other’s markets. It also outlines how the referred companies can initiate discussions with the regulatory […]
Monetary Authority of Singapore and R3 power blockchain payments project
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is partnering with R3, and a consortium of financial institutions on a proof-of-concept project to conduct inter-bank payments using blockchain. This project, which is seen as a rival to Swift’s network, will potentially create a payment system for participants to transact in different global markets round-the-clock. Sopnendu Mohanty, chief […]
Abu Dhabi and Singapore sign up for fintech innovation
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) have signed a co-operation agreement to help fintech entrepreneurs and support innovation in financial services in Singapore and Abu Dhabi. The agreement establishes a framework for both regulators to assist start-ups and innovators to understand the regulatory regime in each jurisdiction and provide […]
IAG to launch insurtech hub in Singapore
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) is looking to build an insurtech hub in Singapore. The new unit, Firemark Labs, will act as an incubator for IAG and help teamwork between start-ups and research and tech partners for new products and services across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Julie Batch, chief customer officer, IAG, says “customer lifestyles […]
Data gets greater with new Singapore group
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has set up a new Data Analytics Group (DAG) with effect from 15 March 2017 as it looks to improve the financial sector and digital economy. DAG will use data analytics for insights, “enhance the supervision” of financial institutions, make regulatory compliance better for financial institutions, and improve work […]
Singapore and South Korea sign up for fintech co-operation
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Korean Financial Services Commission (KFSC) have signed an agreement to foster more co-operation in the fintech space. Under the agreement, MAS and KFSC will explore potential joint innovation projects on technologies such as big data and mobile payments. MAS and KFSC will also discuss issues of common […]
Banks behaving badly in Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is withdrawing the merchant bank status of Falcon Private Bank’s Singapore branch for “serious failures” in anti-money laundering (AML) controls and “improper conduct” by senior management at the head office in Switzerland as well as the Singapore branch. MAS is also imposing financial penalties on DBS Bank and UBS’s […]
Singapore polytechnics prep for future fintech opportunities
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and five local polytechnics have teamed up to get students up to speed for fintech jobs of the future. They have agreed to work on a framework to review and improve the polytechnics’ curricula in the next three years to prepare and equip their graduates with the skill sets […]
Singapore and Switzerland strengthen fintech co-operation
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) have signed an agreement to foster more fintech co-operation. The plan is to share information, support financial innovators, smooth out regulations, and offer more dialogue and secondments. To provide more evidence, FINMA says it is “consistently removing unnecessary regulatory hurdles” – […]
Rise of fintech heralds Singapore payments revamp
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has released a consultation paper on proposed changes to the payments regulatory framework and establishment of a National Payments Council. Jacqueline Loh, MAS deputy managing director, says this is an “important step for MAS and the payments industry to co-create the future of Singapore’s payments landscape; one where payments […]
Innovation through the Looking Glass for Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has opened its purpose-built fintech innovation lab – known as Looking Glass @ MAS. MAS says the lab will allow it to experiment with financial institutions, start-ups, and technology vendors. In addition, Looking Glass @ MAS will help consultations between start-ups and industry experts in areas such as legal […]
