Digital Assets

Technological advances and the rapid digitalisation of the economy are unlocking new possibilities for the future of financial services, one of which is Digital Assets.

Overview

As a central bank, MAS is closely monitoring innovations and growth in the digital asset ecosystem and working through the potential opportunities and risks that come with new technologies – to consumers, investors and the financial system at large.

Our vision is to build an innovative and responsible digital asset ecosystem in Singapore. Collaboration is key to growing the digital asset ecosystem, and the only way to find out what works is through experimentation and exploration – “learning by doing”.

Our explorations into new forms of assets will serve to inform policy markets on the regulatory guardrails that are needed to harness the benefits of Digital Assets, while mitigating its risks.

 

What are Digital Assets?

A digital asset is anything of value whose ownership is represented in a digital or computerised form.

This is done through a process called tokenisation – which involves using a software programme to convert ownership rights over an asset into a digital token. Many items can potentially be tokenized:

  • financial assets like cash and bonds
  • real assets like artwork and property
  • intangible items like carbon credits and computing resources

Digital assets are typically deployed on distributed ledgers that record the ownership and transfer of ownership of these assets.

Through tokenisation, high value financial and real economy assets can be fractionalised and exchanged over the internet on a peer-to-peer basis. This could potentially enhance the efficiency, accessibility, and affordability of financial services, increase liquidity in financial markets, and enhance economic inclusion.

Strategy to Develop Digital Asset Ecosystem

Potential of distributed ledger technology

Cross-Border Payments and Settlements

  • Trade Finance
  • Capital Markets

Support the tokenisation of financial and real economy assets

MAS has launched an initiative – called Project Guardian – to explore the potential of tokenised real economy and financial assets.

Anchor players with strong value propositions and risk management

MAS seeks to anchor in Singapore crypto players who can value add to our digital asset ecosystem and have strong risk management capabilities.

Enable digital currency connectivity

MAS is working with the industry on Project Orchid to develop the infrastructure and technical competencies necessary to issue a digital Singapore dollar should there be a need to do so in future.

Development Initiatives

Project Orchid

Building on the rich findings from Global CBDC Challenge 2021, Project Orchid aims to build the foundational digital infrastructure and blueprint required for a future digital currency ready-platform.

Ubin+

Collaboration with international partners on cross-border foreign exchange (FX) settlement using digital currencies. 

Project Guardian

Collaborative initiative with the financial industry that seeks to explore the economic potential and value-adding use cases of asset tokenisation.

Things to note:

Members of the public should note that:

  • MAS and companies participating in MAS’ initiatives will not ask for your personal banking information, security login credentials or private keys to digital wallets.
  • MAS advises the public to be alert and wary of unsolicited calls or messaging which offer deals that seem too good to be true; request personal information; give instructions to transfer funds to a third party account or offer investments into projects.

If you encounter any suspected scams related to digital assets involving MAS, please DO NOT transfer any funds, and report the matter to MAS.

For impersonation scams involving institutions regulated by MAS or phishing scams, please make a police report via the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness .

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