Blockchain-powered donation platform collaborates with NPO Yana to hold charitable bazaar

Sygnum Bank Achieves In-Principle MPI Licence Approval in SingaporeIn a significant milestone for its expansion efforts in Singapore and Southeast Asia, Sygnum Singapore has announced that it has received in-principle approval for its Major Payment Institution Licence (MPIL) application from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).Photo by Dids on PexelsOngoing global expansionThe Swiss-Singapore firm, headquartered in Zurich with an operational base in Singapore, disclosed this news via a press release published on Monday, marking a major stride forward for the company in its regulated crypto brokerage services.The world’s first digital asset bank also has offices in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital, and Luxembourg. The digital assets innovation is progressing on a truly global basis. It’s also developing according to differing timelines on a regional basis relative to the regulatory approach being taken within individual jurisdictions. On that basis, we are seeing a move from many leading digital assets firms to expand internationally to benefit from jurisdictional regulatory arbitrage and in an effort to grow such businesses quickly, with a global reach.MPIL licensing significanceThe MPIL license will empower Sygnum Singapore to introduce a regulated crypto brokerage service that offers a fiat-digital asset gateway and facilitates trade execution for various cryptocurrencies. The platform aims to differentiate itself by providing competitive spreads, high liquidity, and swift trade settlements, in an effort to offer investors a seamless and efficient trading experience.This approval follows the extension of the Capital Markets Licence (CMSL) granted to Sygnum Singapore in 2022. With the CMSL extension, the company was able to launch an array of services encompassing corporate finance advisory, capital market products, and asset and security token custodial services.Wave of regulatory approvalThe approval of Sygnum Singapore’s MPIL application comes at a time when Singapore is witnessing a wave of regulatory acceptance for digital asset companies. Crypto.com and Circle are among the firms that have recently been granted full licenses, signifying a positive trend in the recognition and regulation of the digital asset industry in Singapore.Gerald Goh, Co-Founder and CEO of Sygnum Singapore, expressed his enthusiasm about the in-principle approval, highlighting its importance in the company’s growth plans: “This in-principle approval of our Major Payment Institution Licence by the MAS is a milestone in our strategic growth plans for Sygnum Singapore and South-East Asia.”He emphasized that Singapore’s regulatory framework provides the necessary clarity and confidence for investors to participate in the digital asset market: “Like Switzerland, Singapore has a progressive, robust regulatory framework that provides investors the clarity and confidence to invest in digital assets — and Future Finance — with complete trust.”The approval of the MPIL application is expected to bolster Sygnum Singapore’s position as a leading regulated digital asset service provider in the region. By obtaining this license, Sygnum strengthens its global position within the digital assets space while complementing Singapore’s efforts to develop as a regional crypto hub.

Circle introduces Circle Mint with zero-fee USDC mintingIn a move designed to enhance accessibility and compliance, Circle, the issuer of leading U.S. dollar stablecoin USDC, has introduced the “Circle Mint” facility.Singapore launchIn a recently published blog article on its website, the company outlined that the zero-fee minting service is set to launch initially in Singapore. In June, Circle Internet Singapore, the company’s Singapore-incorporated subsidiary, secured a Major Payments Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). In this most recent announcement, the firm indicated that given the MPI licensing award, it was most appropriate to launch the service initially in Singapore.Circle executives, alongside its co-founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire, were attendees at the Singapore Fintech Festival on Wednesday, an annually organized knowledge platform for the global fintech community. Taking to the X platform, Allaire stated:“It was an honor to host [Singapore President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam] with the @circle team at @sgfintechfest where we officially launched Circle Mint Singapore.”Photo by Mike Enerio on UnsplashCircle Mint facilityCircle Mint Singapore will attempt to strategically position itself as a trusted gateway to the world of digital currencies, emphasizing compliance with MAS regulations. For Singapore-registered entities, the facility offers a range of benefits.Rather than a traditional bank account, Circle Mint is a digital wallet that enables users to send, receive and store digital assets. There will be no minting fees as part of the offering. Customers will be able to take advantage of a zero-fee product offering for both the minting and redemption of USDC. The move eliminates additional risks and additional fees, as well as the ability to do away with the lengthy transaction times often associated with brokers and resellers.Circle Mint Singapore has been designed to align seamlessly with MAS regulations. In that way, the company can reassure its customer base that financial activities are conducted efficiently, securely and compliantly within the regulatory framework.Instant availabilityInstant availability is another feature that Circle is enabling through its Circle Mint product offering. Fiat funds from users’ bank accounts can be swiftly and automatically converted to USDC. That’s thanks to the instant settlement networks of participating banks. Circle Mint Singapore is also planning to expand access to regional banking rails for near-instant settlement, streamlining transactions for users.As digital currency adoption gains momentum in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, Circle Mint Singapore’s initiatives have the potential to play a pivotal role in making digital currencies more accessible for businesses in this dynamic market.Asian market emphasisIn addition to this latest product offering, other recent activities of the global financial technology firm in recent weeks suggest that it has placed a strong emphasis on market growth in the APAC region.In September, the firm partnered with Southeast Asian super-app Grab. As part of that collaboration, Circle’s Web3 services platform is being integrated into the app to facilitate blockchain-enabled solutions. The move will see Grab’s 25 million users exposed to the facility of a digital wallet within the app.Similarly, the following month, Circle followed up with a deal with Taiwan FamilyMart, a convenience store chain, and the BitoPro cryptocurrency exchange. Once again, Circle’s Web3 services platform is being integrated, this time into the FamilyMart app, so as to enable the redemption of loyalty points in USDC.

Metaplanet, a Japanese Bitcoin treasury company listed on the Tokyo stock exchange, is targeting a holding of 10,000 BTC in 2025.2025 targetTaking to the X social media platform on Jan. 5, the company’s CEO, Simon Gerovich, set out a number of objectives which the company will strive to reach in 2025. Among them is the objective to expand the company’s Bitcoin holdings to 10,000 BTC. Gerovich said that the expansion of the firm’s Bitcoin holding would be achieved “by utilizing the most accretive capital market tools available to us.” He followed up on Jan. 6 with an announcement that Metaplanet has completed its 12th series stock acquisition rights. Gerovich claimed that the successful completion of the stock issuance marked “a milestone in Metaplanet’s financing and Bitcoin acquisition strategy.” The 12th series stock issuance was first announced back in November, with a six-month exercise period opening on Dec. 17. Additionally, the company issued 4.5 billion yen ($28,562,451) and 5 billion yen ($31,736,057) in ordinary bonds, with a maturity date of June 2025. Other objectives the company has set out for 2025 include enhancing transparency and shareholder engagement through new initiatives. Furthermore, Metaplanet intends to leverage its partnerships to advance Bitcoin adoption in Japan and further afield. Gerovich said that Metaplanet will explore innovative opportunities to grow the firm’s impact in Japan and within the Bitcoin ecosystem.Photo by Vasilis Chatzopoulos on Unsplash2024 ‘transformational’The Metaplanet CEO claimed that 2024 had been “transformational” for the company. He added: “We broke records, expanded our Bitcoin treasury, and reinforced our position as Asia’s leading Bitcoin Treasury Company.” Shifting its attention to 2025, the firm is focused on its efforts to drive greater value for shareholders. Metaplanet’s fortunes are now heavily dependent upon the performance of Bitcoin. In an interview at a New Year’s Eve party held in Miami by Microstrategy founder Michael Saylor, Gerovich commented on Bitcoin adoption, stating:"I’m slowly but surely seeing Bitcoin becoming a topic of discussion at the highest levels of government. Corporations around the world are beginning to adopt it as a Bitcoin standard." The Metaplanet CEO is optimistic that the U.S. will adopt a strategic Bitcoin reserve once the Trump administration commences. Should that happen, he believes that other countries will follow. He sees Japan as one of those countries where they do look to the U.S. as a guide on such matters. “So I think if President Trump does adopt it as a strategic reserve, then Japan and many countries in Asia will do the same,” he stated. Metaplanet is understood to be pursuing a business model very similar to the one pioneered by Microstrategy in the United States. The company increased the rate at which it acquired Bitcoin in H2 2024. Metaplanet made its first Bitcoin purchase in April 2024. At that time, its stock was trading at $1.90. Just as the Bitcoin unit price surged, so too did Metaplanet stock, closing the year at $22.05 per share.