ChainCatcher news, according to the Straits Times, the Singapore Police Force reported that its Anti-Scam Command collaborated with the cryptocurrency platform StraitsX to conduct a joint enforcement operation from May 13 to 30, targeting money laundering activities using cryptocurrency. During the operation, over 200,000 Singapore dollars in cash were seized, and 35 men and 14 women are assisting with investigations, aged between 18 and 58.Preliminary investigations indicate that these individuals are suspected of allowing others to use their cryptocurrency accounts or Singpass accounts in exchange for rewards ranging from 400 to 3,000 dollars, with the related accounts suspected of being used for money laundering. The police noted that most suspects contacted unknown individuals via Telegram or WhatsApp and provided personal information as instructed.The police emphasized that collaborating with StraitsX, which is registered as a legitimate digital payment provider, helps leverage technological solutions to detect suspicious accounts and take swift action. Under Singapore's Prevention of Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Serious Crimes Act, assisting others in retaining criminal proceeds can result in a maximum penalty of three years in prison or a fine of 50,000 dollars, or both. The police urge the public to refuse to lend their bank or cryptocurrency accounts to avoid becoming involved in such cases.

ChainCatcher news, according to the Daily Economic News, informed sources revealed that following the news of Ant International's plan to apply for a stablecoin license in Singapore and Hong Kong, LianLian Digital is also actively exploring the possibility of applying for relevant licenses in the aforementioned regions. Currently, LianLian Digital has established a dedicated team responsible for advancing stablecoin-related projects and conducting use case studies. LianLian Digital currently holds a total of 65 payment licenses across multiple regions worldwide, and its wholly-owned subsidiary DFX Labs Company Limited also obtained a Virtual Asset Trading Platform (VATP) license issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission in December 2024. The outside world believes that this VATP license will create synergies with the stablecoin license that the group may obtain in the future.

ChainCatcher news, according to Bloomberg, Ant Group's international division is planning to apply for stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong and Singapore.Insiders say that Ant International, headquartered in Singapore, will immediately apply for a stablecoin issuer license in Hong Kong after the "Stablecoins Ordinance" comes into effect in August. In addition to Singapore, the company also plans to seek licensing in Luxembourg.Insiders stated that this move aims to strengthen the company's blockchain business to support its cross-border payment and fund management services. They noted that Ant Financial processed over $1 trillion in global transactions last year, one-third of which were handled by its blockchain-based Whale platform.

ChainCatcher news, according to the announcement from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), MAS has clarified the scope of the regulatory framework for Digital Token Service Providers (DTSPs). Starting from June 30, 2025, DTSPs that provide digital payment token and capital markets product token services only to customers outside of Singapore will be required to obtain a license.MAS stated that it will set high standards for licensing and will generally not issue licenses. The announcement noted that providers who have offered digital payment token or capital markets product token services to Singapore customers are already regulated under existing laws, and these licensed providers can also serve overseas customers. However, providers that only offer services related to utility and governance tokens are not subject to the new regulatory framework.MAS emphasized that due to high-risk factors, existing DTSPs that only serve overseas customers must cease related activities when the new framework comes into effect. Affected parties can contact MAS via email to discuss plans for an orderly termination of activities.

ChainCatcher news, according to The Block, PlatON has successfully integrated the compliant stablecoins XSGD (1:1 pegged to the Singapore Dollar) and XUSD (1:1 pegged to the US Dollar) issued by StraitsX into its network. Users can freely send, receive, and hold XSGD and XUSD on PlatON. With the collaboration of multiple stablecoin issuers and cross-border payment institutions, PlatON will provide richer payment scenarios for XSGD and XUSD, including online and offline payment network access, cross-border remittance services, and stablecoin exchange services.It is reported that StraitsX is a major payment institution authorized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This collaboration with PlatON not only provides high-performance underlying infrastructure for XSGD and XUSD but also, through cooperation with licensed acquirers such as Allinpayintl, builds a complete link from stablecoin issuance, cross-border payments to local consumption, enabling merchants in regions such as Singapore and Hong Kong to accept digital currencies, allowing stablecoins to be used conveniently and securely in online and offline payment settlement scenarios.

ChainCatcher news, Cobo's Vice President of Custody, alexzuo, stated that Singapore's MAS has released the final guidelines for the DTSP regulatory framework under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA), which will take effect on June 30, 2025. Non-compliant DTSPs must cease operations immediately.DTSP refers to institutions in Singapore that provide token trading, transfers, custody, and other services to overseas clients. However, those holding PSA/SFA/FAA licenses or exempted from them do not need to apply for a new DTSP license but must still meet new obligations, such as stricter technology risk management, annual audits, and reporting significant security incidents within one hour. MAS emphasizes the shift from "whether licensed" to "whether compliant" and implements tiered regulation for stablecoins.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the cryptocurrency exchange WazirX, primarily aimed at Indian users, is relocating its operational headquarters from Singapore to Panama and renaming its parent company from Zettai to Zensui.This decision comes after a Singapore court rejected the company's restructuring plan. According to an email sent by WazirX to its users, its parent company has registered a subsidiary, Zensui Corporation, in Panama and is preparing to transfer the platform's cryptocurrency-related services to this entity.Previously, the Monetary Authority of Singapore set June 30 as the deadline for local cryptocurrency service providers to cease offering digital token services to overseas markets.WazirX stated that it does not intend to apply for an operating license in Singapore and will not register with the Indian financial intelligence department, despite its services being aimed at Indian customers. Once the migration is complete, Zensui will be responsible for issuing WazirX recovery tokens, which is related to the exchange's compensation plan following a $235 million hack.

ChainCatcher news, Hong Kong Legislative Council member Wu Jietzhuang posted on social media, stating, "Singapore recently released the Guidelines on Licensing for Digital Token Service Providers, which presents new policies for companies, institutions, and individuals engaged in virtual assets.Since Hong Kong issued the virtual asset declaration in 2022, it has actively welcomed the industry to develop in the region. According to informal statistics, over a thousand Web3 companies have established operations in Hong Kong. If you are currently engaged in the relevant industry in Singapore and are interested in relocating your headquarters and personnel to Hong Kong, I am willing to provide assistance and welcome you to develop in Hong Kong!"

ChainCatcher news, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) released the final policy document on May 30, 2025. It stipulates that all cryptocurrency service providers registered or operating in Singapore must cease providing cryptocurrency services to overseas customers by June 30, 2025, if they have not obtained a DTSP license.MAS emphasized that there will be no transition period, and violators will face penalties under the law.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, Gemini's latest "State of the Crypto Market" report shows that the cryptocurrency ownership rate in the UK for 2025 has the highest year-on-year increase globally, with the percentage of respondents holding crypto rising from 18% last year to 24%. Singapore retains the global lead with a 28% ownership rate, followed closely by France and the United States at 21% and 22%, respectively. The average ownership rate in the four countries (US, UK, France, Singapore) is 24%, meaning one in four people holds crypto assets.The report notes that the implementation of the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) may warm the regulatory environment in Europe, but the UK has yet to introduce national-level crypto regulations. Currently, the UK government is advancing a regulatory draft for crypto exchanges, aiming to complete the legislative process this year, focusing on consumer protection and operational compliance frameworks. The public consultation for this draft closed on May 23, and the Treasury is expected to release the final version within the year.

ChainCatcher news, according to the 2025 Singapore cryptocurrency market survey released by Independent Reserve, 94% of Singaporean respondents are familiar with crypto assets, but the actual ownership rate has dropped from 40% last year to 29%.Nevertheless, 53% of holders plan to increase their holdings in the coming year, and 17% of non-holders are also considering entering the market. Bitcoin remains the most trusted, with 68% of investors holding it, and 86% believing it has currency or store of value functions. The report also noted that the holding rate of meme coins reached 28%, and the usage rate of stablecoins increased to 46%, reflecting a high expectation for regulatory guidance in the market.

ChainCatcher news, Circle announced on social media that the Sony Singapore online store now accepts USDC payments through Crypto.com.

ChainCatcher news, Franklin Templeton has received approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to launch its first tokenized fund in Singapore. The fund will be issued and managed through Franklin Templeton's self-developed blockchain platform, aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency in asset management.The fund is expected to be officially launched in the coming months, open to institutional and qualified investors. Franklin Templeton stated that it will continue to explore the application of blockchain and tokenization technology in the asset management field to meet investors' demand for innovative financial products.

ChainCatcher news, according to Techinasia, Gnosis has acquired the on-chain financial operating platform HQ.xyz in Singapore for $14.95 million.This investment includes $8.95 million from the GnosisDAO treasury, which was approved through a DAO vote in January 2025, and $6 million from Gnosis Ltd. for operational expenses over the next two years. This acquisition is one of the largest investments in the Gnosis ecosystem. HQ.xyz will be renamed Gnosis HQ and integrated into Gnosis's ecosystem, which includes Gnosis Chain, Gnosis Pay, and associated projects such as Safe and CoW Swap.