The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the country's central bank, has decided not to interfere with transactions made in the digital currency.
The MAS decision echoes sentiments expressed by the Singapore government that the bank should not regulate virtual currencies.
"Whether or not businesses accept bitcoins in exchange for their goods and services is a commercial decision in which MAS does not intervene," says MAS in an email to the Singapore-based trading platform Coin Republic, according to
Japan and Germany have also taken an open stance on Bitcoin, choosing to keep the digital currency unregulated for the time being.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in the U.S. was the first to issue guidance on virtual currency. Fincen categorized exchangers and administrators as money services businesses, likely prompting states to categorize these businesses as money transmitters that must obtain state licenses. Many Bitcoin businesses have considered
MAS issued a warning to consumers in September, mainly focused on the lack of a party responsible for refunds if bitcoins were to be stolen or if the Bitcoin system were to cease operation,
Many countries and central banks have since issued similar warnings to its residents, including France, Australia and New Zealand.
Other countries have begun to tighten rules regulating the digital currency. This month,
