Malaysia Starts Regulating Cryptocurrencies Today

Regulating as Securities
Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said on Monday that his country “will regulate initial coin offerings (ICOs) and the trade of cryptocurrencies,” Reuters reported, adding:The order is known as “the Capital Markets and Services (Prescription of Securities) (Digital Currency and Digital Token) Order 2019.” Cryptocurrencies, ICOs and their related activities must comply with relevant securities laws and be approved by the commission, the minister explained.An order to recognize digital currencies and digital tokens as securities will come into force on Jan. 15, under the regulation of the Securities Commission Malaysia [SC].

Furthermore, the commission stated that it “will enter into coordination arrangements” with the Bank Negara Malaysia, the country’s central bank, in order “to ensure compliance with laws and regulations under the purview of both regulators.” In addition, the regulator revealed that “The relevant regulatory framework is expected to be launched by end-Q1 2019.” Lim was quoted by The Star as saying, “Any person offering an ICO or operating a digital asset exchange without SC’s approval may be punished, on conviction, with imprisonment not exceeding 10 years and fine not exceeding RM10mil [~$2.44 million].”The guidelines will among others, establish criteria for determining fit and properness of issuers and exchange operators, disclosure standards and best practices in price discovery, trading rules and client asset protection. Those dealing in digital assets will be required to put in place anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML / CFT) rules, cyber security and business continuity measures.

Ministry of Finance Sees Potential
The finance ministry “views digital assets, as well as … underlying blockchain technologies, as having the potential to bring about innovation in both old and new industries,” Lim further described, elaborating:Meanwhile, Bank Negara Malaysia has repeatedly said that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in its country. The central bank has advised the public to carefully evaluate the risks associated in dealing with them.In particular, we believe digital assets have a role to play as an alternative fundraising avenue for entrepreneurs and new businesses, and an alternate asset class for investors.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock, the Malaysian government, and Reuters.
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