Singapore Alerts on Use of Digital Payments in Terrorism

The authorities in Singapore have alerted people about the dangers to security, including terrorists’ use of digital payment options.

The Singaporean authorities have identified numerous vulnerabilities that terrorist groups could exploit through digital payment systems in their most recent release on national terrorism financing risk. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Monetary Authority of Singapore conducted the assessment, which indicated that the risk level for digital payment tokens (DPT) has elevated from medium-low to medium-high.

Digital Payment Tokens: A New Frontier for Terrorist Financiers

The report disclosed that DPTs have emerged as the most effective method for terrorist financiers (TF) to transfer funds across borders. The bad actors collect the digital payment tokens through the services of digital payment service providers (DPTSPs). Subsequently, these tokens are transmitted through numerous transactions within a brief timeframe. Nevertheless, it was observed that there had been no documented instances of terrorism financing through the use of DPT. Nonetheless, the increasing prevalence of the service is a cause for concern.

The Singaporean authorities are concerned about the characteristics of digital payment tokens, as they are also an appealing option for individuals who finance terrorism. These features encompass their anonymity, the cross-border nature, and the rapidity of transactions facilitated by the service providers. They declared:

“While there are no known domestic TF cases involving DPTs, Singapore is cognisant of the higher TF risks originating from the increasing presence of DPT service providers. The higher TF risks are driven by the anonymity, speed, and cross-border nature of transactions facilitated by DPTSPs.”

Singapore’s Five-Pronged Strategy to Combat Terrorism Financing

To address the financing of terrorism, the Singaporean government will implement a five-pronged national strategy for countering financial terrorism (CFT). This strategy will encompass the following:

• Thoroughly comprehending the potential hazards.
• Establishing robust laws and sanction systems.
• Developing stringent regulations that are rigorously adhered to.
• Enforcing the laws and regulations with determination.
• Collaborating with other countries worldwide.

They declared:

“Singapore will continue to partner with industry players to implement strategies and measures to tackle TF threats. We will also closely collaborate with foreign counterparts, international organizations, and standard-setting bodies, such as the Financial Action Task Force.”

These novel methods of rapidly transacting money across borders and raising funds online have raised concerns. According to the authorities’ report, the increase in the digital economy during the pandemic has increased the danger associated with these new money transfer and collection methods.

The assessment is a comprehensive strategy implemented by the Singaporean authorities to mitigate emergent risks in its financial ecosystem. Additionally, the country has expanded its crypto regulation to provide users with protection when utilizing digital payment service providers. Consequently, the monetary authority’s ongoing monitoring is intended to protect the nation from the peril of terrorism funding.