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GSR Gets on Path Towards Full Regulatory Approval in Singapore

Policy & Regulation·October 04, 2023, 1:15 AM

GSR Markets Pte. Ltd., the Singaporean subsidiary of the global crypto trading firm GSR, has reached a significant milestone in its quest to become a fully licensed entity within the city-state. On Monday, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) granted GSR in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license.

Photo by Mike Enerio on Unsplash

 

Trading licenses filtering through

This development mirrors similar approvals granted to other crypto firms in the region, solidifying Singapore’s status as a hub for crypto and Web3 innovations. The approval of GSR’s MPI license follows hot on the heels of Coinbase Singapore’s announcement of securing a full Major Payment Institution license from MAS.

Other companies such as Circle, Blockchain.com, and Crypto.com have also obtained MPI licenses this year. These developments underscore the competitive yet regulated landscape of the cryptocurrency market in Singapore.

 

In-principle approval

The in-principle approval from MAS empowers GSR to provide crypto and fiat-related services to Singaporean residents and entities. This includes the ability to conduct payment services without the limitations of single transaction thresholds (SGD 3 million) and monthly limits (SGD 6 million). GSR’s CEO, Jakob Palmstierna, expressed gratitude for MAS’s constructive oversight, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolving digital asset landscape in Singapore. Palmstierna stated:

“We are immensely grateful to MAS for their constructive oversight, which helps shape a growing digital asset ecosystem that we feel proud to be a substantial part of.”

Meanwhile, GSR’s COO Xin Song, emphasized the importance of this approval, stating that it enables them to “deepen our local client partnerships and continue in our critical role as a liquidity provider within the ecosystem.”

GSR’s presence in Singapore aligns with the country’s burgeoning crypto-friendly environment. Recent surveys indicate that 25% of Singaporeans view cryptocurrency as the future of finance, with 32% having some involvement in crypto ownership. Moreover, Singapore boasts over 700 Web3 companies, positioning itself as a pivotal market for the expansion of the crypto and Web3 economy.

 

Company ambitions

GSR, established in 2013 in New Jersey, offers a diverse range of services, including over-the-counter crypto trading, derivatives trading, market making, and venture capital investments. The firm is no stranger to regulatory compliance, holding Money Service Business licenses across several US states.

The company was founded by former Goldman Sachs Executives Rich Rosenblum and Cristian Gil. At the height of the last crypto bull run, the crypto market maker had plans “to add 100 hires every six months for the next few years.” No doubt that ambition has been scaled back since then, given the protracted bear market which has followed.

Last month, Gil became embroiled in a spat with Andrei Grachev of rival market making firm, Singapore-based DWF Labs.

GSR’s recent attainment of in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution license from MAS reinforces Singapore’s position as a leader in the crypto space. The firm’s interest in pursuing a compliant route forward and its role as a liquidity provider bode well for both GSR and the broader crypto community in the Asia-Pacific region.

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