<p>HashKey OTC, the over-the-counter (OTC) trading arm of the Hong Kong-headquartered HashKey Group, has reached a regulatory milestone with the acquisition of a major payment license in Singapore.</p><h2 id="header-0">Enabling digital asset service offering</h2><p>In a <a href="https://group.hashkey.com/en/new/hashkey-otc-receives-in-principle-approval-from-the-monetary-authority-of-singapore-for-its-major-pa" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">recent announcement</a> via the firm’s official blog, HashKey Group revealed that HashKey OTC has secured in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its Major Payment Institution (MPI) license application. This approval positions HashKey OTC to offer regulated digital payment token services in Singapore, representing a significant stride in the firm’s efforts towards regulatory compliance.</p><p>CEO of HashKey OTC, Li Liang, emphasized the company&#39;s steadfast commitment to regulatory adherence, considering it a pivotal step towards providing comprehensive and regulated over-the-counter trading solutions for its clients. Liang highlighted the significance of the in-principle approval, expressing the company&#39;s vision to furnish a wide array of digital payment tokens and fiat currencies in a regulated environment. The approval has generated optimism within the global crypto market community, particularly amidst prevailing uncertainties surrounding crypto regulations worldwide.</p><h2 id="header-1">Expansion initiatives</h2><p>HashKey OTC&#39;s attainment of the MPI license aligns with its strategic expansion initiatives, building upon its earlier success in securing a capital markets services license for fund management in Singapore. This achievement reflects the company&#39;s desire to operate within legal frameworks while delivering innovative crypto solutions to its clientele.</p><p>Furthermore, HashKey OTC&#39;s regulatory triumph mirrors the broader regulatory landscape in Singapore, where crypto firms navigate stringent requirements to establish credibility and trust within the market.</p><h2 id="header-2">MPI approvals</h2><p>The exchange&#39;s milestone mirrors similar successes achieved by other industry players. Recent months have seen a raft of digital asset industry enterprises achieve a similar milestone. In January, American digital asset custodian BitGo <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/8WFg8eyRHVxjNnhF7" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">acquired</a> in-principle MPI approval.</p><p>Last November, Taipei-headquartered crypto exchange business XREX <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/MeTkq3UxEgPeX8fK8" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">achieved</a> a similar outcome. Other entities who had been successful in pursuing MPI licensing earlier in 2023 include crypto exchange <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/sTd9gcvXZvw8tC8r6" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Upbit Singapore</a>, crypto trading firm <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/vLgCUhNdugh6VGoy8" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">GSR</a>, American crypto exchange platform <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/9Ds2wLZ6yf22SRgA6" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Coinbase</a> and enterprise blockchain firm <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/hWzR9MjtxsY9Xorv8" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Ripple</a>.</p><p>Despite Singapore&#39;s reputation as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction, recent decisions by MAS have demonstrated a cautious approach towards certain crypto products. While spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) received approval in the United States, MAS has <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/NRCVsv8wjKsJcXJa8" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">opted against</a> permitting the listing of such ETF products for retail investors, citing concerns over the asset&#39;s volatility and suitability for retail investment.</p><p>HashKey is one of only two entities to have secured similar licenses in Hong Kong. Last month, affiliate company HashKey Capital, a Singapore-based crypto fund manager, <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/zptJD5xAVTExi5TQA" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">launched</a> a series of indices designed to track cryptocurrencies in a collaboration with FTSE Russell. Also in January, the Hong Kong business <a href="https://coinnesslive.page.link/dr9iHHDnQKHpeWaQ6" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">partnered</a> with crypto derivatives platform OKX with the objective of advancing compliant virtual asset innovation.</p><p>HashKey OTC&#39;s acquisition of a major payment license in Singapore, amid a backdrop of similar businesses pursuing similar licensing in various jurisdictions recently, signifies a significant advancement in regulatory compliance within the crypto industry. The approval underscores the exchange&#39;s desire to provide regulated over-the-counter trading solutions while navigating the evolving regulatory landscape in Singapore and beyond.</p>

HashKey OTC scores in-principle approval in Singapore

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