SINGAPORE

Singapore, a country famous for its technology-friendly environment and financial innovation, is undergoing a strong transformation in its approach to the cryptocurrency market. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has just issued a stern "ultimatum": unlicensed crypto exchanges must cease all activities targeting overseas customers from Singapore by June 30, 2025.

Trident, a publicly listed technology services company based in #Singapore , is going against the popular trend of Bitcoin reserves, instead choosing XRP (related to Ripple) as its treasury asset with a fundraising plan of up to $500 million.
The company, whose blockchain-based identity solution is its flagship product and trades on Nasdaq under the ticker TDTH, announced this plan on Thursday. At the same time, they appointed Chaince Securities LLC as a strategic advisor.

The past week has witnessed many notable events in the cryptocurrency and fintech sectors, from national policies to technological advancements. Below are the highlights:
1. Donald Trump Bans CBDC in the U.S.
Former President Donald Trump signed the first executive order of his term, officially banning the issuance and use of central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the United States. Trump emphasized that #CBDC is a "dangerous threat to freedom" and committed to supporting stablecoins as an alternative.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has cut Singapore's 2025 growth forecast to 0% to 2% ahead of the tariff war between the U.S. and China, while some economists warned of the possibility of a technical recession in 2025.
MTI's new forecast announced on April 14 is a reduction from the previous 1% to 3%. Singapore's economy is expected to grow by 4.4% in 2024.
On the same day, the Monetary Authority of Singapore continued to slow the appreciation of the local currency against the trade-weighted index to respond to reducing inflation and rising risks to economic growth.

Singapore, Independent Reserve (IR), Singapore’s 🇸🇬first licensed cryptocurrency exchange for all investors, has announced its pioneering role in listing Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD). Starting from 22 December 2024, customers in Singapore will be able to trade RLUSD on the platform.
As the first exchange in Singapore to offer RLUSD, Independent Reserve is bringing this stablecoin to its order book and OTC desk, providing a seamless and efficient liquidity solution for cross-border transactions. This addition allows clients to conduct global transactions with greater speed and reduced costs, further enhancing the exchange’s offerings.
RLUSD is a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, issued on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum networks. It is designed for a wide range of applications, from cross-border payments to decentralized finance (DeFi), offering a secure, fast, and scalable alternative for users in the growing stablecoin market.
Lasanka Perera, CEO of Independent Reserve Singapore, commented: “The stablecoin market has experienced tremendous growth, demonstrating that stablecoins are becoming integral to modern financial systems. They have proven to be a viable solution for payment transactions and supporting DeFi ecosystems. RLUSD offers a compelling option for investors and financial institutions, providing a more efficient and secure way to move capital globally."
He continued, “As long-standing partners of Ripple, we are proud to be the first regulated exchange to offer Ripple USD in Singapore. This decision reflects the strong trust and mutual support we have cultivated over the years. By listing RLUSD, Independent Reserve continues its commitment to transforming financial services through crypto and blockchain technology.”
Secure and Accessible Stablecoin Opportunities in Singapore
Customers of Independent Reserve in Singapore can now buy and sell RLUSD using either Singapore dollars (SGD) or US dollars (USD) on the exchange’s order book and OTC desk.
RLUSD is issued under the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) limited-purpose trust charter, one of the most stringent regulatory frameworks in the financial industry. Fully backed by the US dollar, the Ripple USD Reserve is maintained through a combination of USD fiat and cash equivalents, including government money market funds and short-term US Treasury Bills, held by US-based financial institutions. Ripple also commits to providing monthly third-party attestations of RLUSD’s reserve assets, conducted by an independent auditing firm, ensuring transparency and security for investors.
Independent Reserve’s listing of RLUSD marks a significant step forward in expanding stablecoin accessibility in Singapore, offering a regulated and secure environment for users to trade and leverage the benefits of Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin. #Singapore #Ripple #RippleUpdate #Ripple💰 #SingaporeCryptoTrend $XRP