Singapore Advances Digital Asset Framework with Stablecoin Rules, CBDC Trials
Singapore's central bank is forging ahead with a comprehensive digital asset strategy, finalizing stablecoin regulations and expanding wholesale CBDC experiments. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will prioritize reserve-backed stability for stablecoins, addressing systemic risks from recurring de-pegging events.
Three major Singaporean banks successfully tested interbank settlements using live wholesale CBDC—a watershed moment for institutional blockchain adoption. MAS plans to escalate trials in 2024 with tokenized bill issuances, signaling accelerated CBDC development timelines.
The BLOOM initiative creates a regulatory sandbox for tokenized liabilities and regulated stablecoins, inviting financial heavyweights to pioneer multi-currency settlement solutions. MAS Managing Director Chia Der Jiun emphasized three pillars for scaling tokenization: interoperable standards, SAFE settlement assets, and enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure.