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Singapore Proposes Additional AML/CFT Requirements for FIs

Richard Marley
July 13, 2021
3 minutes read
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Monetary Authority Singapore has issued a consultation paper proposing the scope of AML/CFT to be extended to financial institutions dealing with precious stones, precious metals and precious products.

Monetary Authority Singapore (MAS) has proposed further AML/CFT obligations for financial institutions (FIs) that deal with precious stones, precious metals and precious products (abbreviated to PSM). In particular, the consultation paper adds requirements for PSM dealings involving digital payment tokens, and customers that may be considered higher risk shell companies.

According to the PSM proposal, all FIs that directly deal with PSMs or act as an intermediary will be liable to comply with the AML/CFT requirements. This involves activities conducted by the FIs such as the manufacture, import, sale, purchase for resale of PSM, in addition to the selling or redeeming of any related asset-backed tokens.

The PSM proposal highlights the following conditions, where customer due diligence must be implemented by financial institutions:

The FI establishes an account relationship with any customer for the purpose of dealing in PSM
The FI undertakes any PSM transaction involving more than SGD 20,000, regardless of the payment mode
The FI suspects money laundering or terrorism financing or has doubts about the veracity or adequacy of any information previously obtained

To further enhance Singapore’s financial sector and prevent criminal activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing, the consultation paper also proposes to update the current MAS notices regarding AML/CFT compliance for FIs and VCCs (Variable Capital Companies).

The proposal will expand the scope of AML/CFT requirements to Digital Payment Tokens (DPTs) and Digital Tokens that are Capital Markets Products (DCMPTs). Similar to the requirements introduced in the Payment Services Act, FIs would be required to conduct Customer Due Diligence from the first dollar for occasional transactions involving DPTs or DCMPTs.

Additionally, the PSM Notice will also require financial institutions to collect and record information regarding beneficial owners when they transmit or arrange for the exchange of DPTs on behalf of customers. FIs will also have to immediately and securely submit this information to beneficiary DPT service provider, and screen the value transfer originators and beneficiaries against relevant information sources for AML/CFT risks.

FIs and VCCs have also been directed to implement adequate risk assessment for the timely detection of shell companies that pose higher ML/TF risks. MAS will also be laying down guidance regarding the red flags of money laundering, including examples of unusual transactions and behavioural caution points.

Additional guidance regarding the alignment of AML/CFT obligations for credit card or charge card licensees will also be introduced in the Notice, as introduced by the Payment Services Act.

The consultation paper is open for comment until 10 August 2021.

Disclaimer: No warranty is herein provided that the information contained in this document is accurate, up-to-date, and/or complete. In no circumstance(s), does such information constitute legal or any other advice. Any person who intends to use, rely, pass-on, or re-publish the information contained herein in any way is solely responsible for the same. We suggest to verify the information and/or obtain expert advice independently if required.

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Blockchain and NFTs - Setting New Standards for Cybersecurity and Identity Management
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are an evolution over the emerging concept of cryptocurrencies. As finance systems are getting modernized, consisting of innovative trading and loan systems for different types of assets, ranging from lending contracts to real estate and artwork. However, by making digital representations of physical assets like painting, NFTs are the most advanced form right now to re-invention the finance infrastructure. Thus, the idea of representing physical assets in digitized form is not new, however, these concepts are combined with the significance of tamper-resistant blockchain of smart contracts.

Contrarily, blockchain and NFTs are also playing a crucial role in making the digital ecosystem secure, as fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated and are capable of exploiting cybersecurity systems. Thus, by utilizing the potential of blockchain technology and NFTs, an entirely new level of security can be attained.

Blockchain Technology – Revolutionizing Cybersecurity and Identity Management In Digital Ecosystem

Primarily, blockchain technology is the key driving force behind the success and emergence of cryptocurrencies. This technology is completely transforming the concept of payment gateways along with enhancing cybersecurity concerns. Blockchain technology utilizes cryptography to make transactional records that are unchangeable and can’t be tampered with. NFTs are also backed by this technology and are uniquely categorized through a cryptographic token that provides an extra layer of security by ensuring that each digital asset and transaction records are well- managed, easily being tracked and verified. In addition to this, NFTs are also designed to digitally represent physical assets, which has brought significant opportunities for businesses as well as individuals.

NFTs are now also being used to virtual depict something scarce, for example, in-game add-on features and other collectibles. Due to the unique identity of NFTs, they are providing more improving identification measures while enhancing cybersecurity. In addition to this, NFTs and blockchain technology are also empowering digital businesses to develop virtual ledgers to store cryptocurrencies and digital assets while maximizing security levels. However, the combination of blockchain and NFTs is considered the most advanced way of securing sensitive information and holds the necessary power to completely transform the use of the internet and cybersecurity.

Despite the fact, blockchain is the backbone of the digitization of payment gateways, it is setting new standards in the cybersecurity domain as well. By providing financial institutions and other businesses a decentralized platform to secure data, they tend to protect the companies through various cyber-attacks and financial losses. It also allows businesses to gather and maintain track of customers’ identities. Blockchain technology is signifying security innovations through the following aspects;

Security through Blocks: Blockchain basically works as a distributed ledger that stores and maintains a continuously growing list of client data records called blocks. Each respective block placed in the database is accompanied by a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data. The immutability feature of blockchain technology allows it to provide businesses and individuals with a sound sense of security and data protection. Other than this, it also backs businesses to determine and authenticate their identities before getting them on board and ensures data is not compromised.

Private and Public Blockchains: The concept of private and public blockchain is growing concerned nowadays. A private blockchain allows companies to communicate information without a designated central authority. On the other hand, the public blockchain databases are easily accessible to any individual in the digital ecosystem. However, both types of blockchain databases are highly secure and can not be exploited, as they deliver the maximum level of transparency. As a result, blockchain ledgers are becoming an ideal place to store digital data or assets.

Decentralized Technology: Blockchain technology allows both businesses as well as individuals to store cryptocurrency and private information in decentralized databases with a high level of encryption. With the decentralization feature, blockchain assures that hackers can get access to one’s identity. However, hacking attempts are impossible, as cybercriminals need to penetrate 51% of the blockchain system at once.

Smart Contracts: The emerging concept of the smart contract is getting global attention, as they are powered with blockchain technology that automatically handles the customer’s transactions and other dealings. They have attained customer trust by enforcing high-end security standards by being transparent and tamper-proof. Other than this, the financial firms are also using smart contracts to manage customer identities and PII. This also enables businesses to curb identity fraud.

Influence of NFTs on Cybersecurity and Identity Management

As businesses are going digital, keeping sensitive information secure and tamper-proof is becoming more difficult than ever. However, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are one of the crucial ways to make cybersecurity and identity management systems secure and unhackable. Many global firms are adopting NFTs to secure their client data.

The following are a few examples of how NFTs can be used to promote cybersecurity:

Integrated Security Features

NFTs aren’t directly used but are combined with other security measures to increase the productivity of cyber security systems. This includes, encrypting the messaging services, and generating digital ownership signatures on transactions. Other than this, NFTs also interact with identity verification services through authentication, to assure the customers are onboarding with legit identities. Despite all benefits, NFTs are also being used to uplift security measures as they are hard to replicate and link to other virtual assets. The cryptographs also improve data protection. Furthermore, NFTs can also provide an extra level of security for businesses and individuals, aiming to secure their transactions or operations.

Smart Encryption and Validation

NFTs come up with a “smart encryption and validation” method that enhances the effectiveness of security systems, making them secure. This system is particularly designed for the businesses that are providing trading services. NFTs smart encryption and validation uplift the identification and security of public as well as private blockchain databases.

Thus, the encryption and validation technology of NFTs is inevitable. It imprints digital signatures to each asset or transaction making it impossible for criminals to replicate it. This is how NFTs are preventing stealing of assets in the digital ecosystem.

How Shufti Pro Can Help

NFTs and blockchain technology are considered as the optimum ways to overcome identity fraud and financial crimes. Proof of ownership and digital signatures ensure that the data remains unbreachable. This concept will allow SaaS providers to enhance online identity verification solutions and cyber security protocols.

Shufti Pro’s state-of-the-art online identity verification services are an ideal solution for every type of business providing digital services. AI-backed ID verification services enable companies to determine the identities of customers before getting them onboard with 98.67% accuracy in less than a second.

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Talk to experts

Singapore Proposes Additional AML/CFT Requirements for FIs

Blockchain Technology – Revolutionizing Cybersecurity and Identity Management In Digital Ecosystem

Influence of NFTs on Cybersecurity and Identity Management

Integrated Security Features

Smart Encryption and Validation

How Shufti Pro Can Help

Top 10 Technology Trends That Will Reshape the Travel Industry

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10. Making Security Seamless with Artificial Intelligence

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