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DBS Bank Is Planning to Launch a Digital Asset Exchange

DBS is planning to launch an exchange for trading bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the bank told CoinDesk.

DBS Bank, Singapore, Hong Kong
DBS Bank in Hong Kong (Getty Images)

DBS, the Singapore-based bank and financial services corporation, is building a digital assets trading platform.

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  • According to a cached web page, apparently posted in error and then taken down, DBS Digital Exchange will offer access to "an integrated ecosystem of solutions to tap the vast potential of private markets and digital currencies."
  • On offer for trading against the Singapore dollar, the Hong Kong dollar, Japanese yen and U.S. dollar will be four top cryptocurrencies: bitcoinbitcoin cashether and XRP.
  • "DBS' plans for a digital exchange are still work in process, and have not received regulatory approvals," a DBS spokesperson confirmed to CoinDesk after publication of this article.
  • Until such approvals are confirmed, the bank will make no further announcements, they added.
  • The exchange will also offer tokenization services, offering business the opportunity to raise funds by issuing digital forms of securities and assets, per the cached page.
  • Assets will not be held by the exchange but by a dedicated, "institutional grade" custodian set up by DBS, dubbed DBS Digital Custody.
  • The exchange will be regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the city-state's de facto central bank.
  • DBS is Southeast Asia's largest bank by assets, according to online sources.

UPDATE (Oct. 27, 14:10 UTC): Added confirmation from DBS Bank.

Read more: Pandemic Will Speed Bitcoin Adoption, Says DBS Bank Economist

Daniel Palmer

Previously one of CoinDesk's longest-tenured contributors, and now one of our news editors, Daniel has authored over 750 stories for the site. When not writing or editing, he likes to make ceramics. Daniel holds small amounts of BTC and ETH (<a href="https://qa.coindesk.com/editorial-policy/">See: Editorial Policy</a>).

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