OKX scores payment institution license in Singapore
Leading cryptocurrency exchange OKX has acquired an in-principle approval from Singapore’s financial regulatory authority for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license through its local arm, OKX SG.
Enabling broader service offering
According to a blog post published by the company on March 12, OKX confirmed the receipt of in-principle approval for the coveted license. The MPI license, issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Singapore's primary financial regulatory body, represents an important step forward for the company. Once granted the full license, OKX will be empowered to offer digital payment token services and facilitate cross-border transfers within Singapore.
A plethora of OKX executives took to social media to comment on the achievement. Hong Fang, President of OKX, expressed the company's long-standing interest in Singapore, describing it as a cornerstone of its global strategy. Fang emphasized Singapore's appeal to entrepreneurial ventures, citing its tech-savvy populace as early adopters. She praised the country's regulatory framework as "clear and thoughtful," enabling businesses like OKX to cultivate sustainable growth over the long term.
With this regulatory approval, OKX intends to concentrate on bolstering its spot product offerings in the Singaporean market. Fang outlined plans to forge local banking partnerships to enhance customer experiences and expand service offerings in the future.
In summarizing the company’s outlook, Fang wrote that OKX is looking to “build locally. Be compliant. Invest long-term.” OKX CEO Star Xu suggested that the firm intends to be a “long-term member of the Singapore fintech community” as a consequence of the approval.
Global market expansion
The company’s CMO, Haider Rafique, pointed out that this latest license approval follows hot on the heels of further expansion in venues like Dubai, Argentina and Turkey.
The in-principle license approval follows OKX's recent acquisition of a conditional license from Dubai’s cryptocurrency regulatory authority. On Jan. 16, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) of Dubai granted OKX a license, enabling the exchange to provide regulated services as a virtual asset service provider within the region.
On Feb. 27 the firm launched OKX TR, catering to the needs of crypto users in Turkey. In the same month, the company launched its services within the Argentinian market.
MPI-licensed entities like OKX enjoy the privilege of facilitating multiple payment services, surpassing volume limitations prescribed for standard payment firms. This flexibility allows OKX to transcend the prescribed limits of three million Singapore dollars ($2.2 million) for individual payment services and a monthly cap of SG$6 million ($4.4 million) for multiple services.
Joining OKX in the pursuit of regulatory compliance, BitGo, a prominent crypto custody business, also received an in-principle approval from MAS. BitGo announced on Jan. 10 that it had secured initial approval, subject to fulfilling additional requirements stipulated by the regulator.
Several other notable cryptocurrency entities, including Crypto.com, Coinbase and Ripple, have already obtained complete payment institution licenses in Singapore.
OKX's attainment of in-principle approval underscores the ongoing drive among market participants towards regulatory compliance and expansion into key markets. The move should help the firm to position itself well for further market growth as the digital assets space continues to progress.
