Singapore officials urges caution on cryptocurrencies after scams raise questions in parliament
- Singapore has expressed a desire to become a hub for cryptocurrency and financial technology, but officials are proceeding with caution
- MPs have warned of Singaporeans losing tens of thousands of dollars to scams such as one ‘gaming craze’ called Neko Inu
Singapore’s government is “closely studying” the characteristics and risks of technologies such as blockchain, decentralised finance, NFTs and the metaverse, Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran wrote in a reply to a question from parliament member Yip Hon Weng.
“Similar to the physical world, the government will seek to balance between promoting economic vitality, preserving social stability and protecting public security in the digital domain,” Iswaran said. He called on individuals and companies to “play their part by participating responsibly in the metaverse.”
Singapore officials have expressed a desire for the nation to become a hub for cryptocurrency and financial technology, and numerous companies in the sector have set up regional or global headquarters there.