SINGAPORE (BLOOMBERG) - Singapore is introducing new payments legislation that offers global cryptocurrency firms a chance to expand their operations in the country by applying for operating licences for the first time.

The Payment Services Act, which came into force on Tuesday (Jan 28), is the first comprehensive regulation for companies handling activities ranging from digital payments to trading of tokens such as Bitcoin and Ether. The aim is to safeguard against money laundering and terrorism financing, as well as strengthen consumer protection, cyber security and promote confidence in the use of e-payments.

The Act brings providers of digital payment token services, more commonly known as cryptocurrency dealing or exchange services, into the regulatory fold under the ambit of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

This narrows the gap with Japan, currently a major Asian centre for cryptocurrency trading after 22 exchanges received licences there since 2017. Increased investor interest in digital tokens has encouraged several regulators around the world to bring the venues under their scrutiny, especially for money laundering and other illicit activities.

The key advantage of Singapore's new legislation is providing regulatory clarity on new types of payments activities such as e-wallets and cryptocurrency exchanges, according to Nizam Ismail, the founder and chief executive officer of Ethikom Consultancy, which helps potential applicants with licensing and compliance issues.

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Tokyo-based crypto exchange operator Liquid Group Inc and London-based Luno, which already operate in Singapore, are among the firms planning to apply for the licences. "We welcome the Act with open arms," said Liquid's CEO Mike Kayamori. The firm will apply via its local Quoine Pte subsidiary.

The legislation "provides regulatory certainty to industry players but, more importantly, it provides consumers with a clear sense of the players they can trust", said Luno's Singapore general manager Sherry Goh. Luno obtained an operating licence in Malaysia last year.

Twenty of the top 50 crypto exchanges are based in the Asia-Pacific region and accounted for about 40 per cent of Bitcoin transactions in the first half of last year, according to Chainalysis data.

Binance Holdings Ltd, operator of one of the world's largest crypto exchanges, has an office in Singapore and is backed by Vertex Venture Holdings, the venture capital arm of Temasek Holdings. Kathy Zhu, a Binance spokesman, declined to comment on whether the firm will seek a Singapore licence.