Singapore’s central bank is assessing whether additional regulations are required to protect investors in cryptocurrencies, an official said in a speech yesterday.

The city-state which is aiming to be a hub for financial technology and so-called initial coin offerings in Asia – does not regulate virtual currencies and last year called for the public to exercise “extreme caution” over investment in cryptocurrencies.

Its central bank does regulate activities involving virtual currencies if they pose specific risks. For example, it imposes anti-money laundering requirements on intermediaries providing virtual currency services.

“We are assessing if additional regulations are required in the area of investor protection,” Ong Chong Tee, deputy managing director (Financial Supervision), Monetary Authority of Singapore said in a Reuters report. – The Straits Times

New firms in Vietnam up 30% in 2 months

Nearly 18,703 new enterprises were formed in Vietnam in the first two months of this year, with a total registered capital of more than 197.3 trillion dongs (US$8.66 billion).

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, there has been a rise of 29.4 per cent in the number of enterprises and 29.3 per cent in registered capital compared to the same period last year.

In February, the country had 7,864 newly-established firms, with a total registered capital of 99 trillion dongs, posting 44 per cent and 59 per cent year-on-year increases in terms of the number of companies and registered capital, respectively.

The average registered capital of each firm was 12.6 billion dongs last month, increasing 10.5 per cent from the same period last year.

The number of labourers in newly-established enterprises in February was 71,120, posting a 13.8 per cent year-on-year increase.

However, the number of new firms in February was reduced by 27.4 per cent compared to January due to the eight-day Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) holiday. – Viet Nam News

AirAsia gains 967m ringgit from leasing ops sale

Malaysia’s AirAsia Bhd is selling its aircraft leasing operations to BBAM Ltd Partnership for US$1.185 billin (4.619 billion ringgit ) under its strategy of disposing non-core assets and businesses and focus on its core operations.

Its unit Asia Aviation Capital Ltd’s aircraft leasing operations have an enterprise value of US$2.846 billion (11.096 billion ringgit).

The low-cost carrier said on Thursday it expects to recognise a gain on sale of about 967.1 million ringgit, which analysts were expecting to return to shareholders in the form of dividends.

Under the deal, Asia Aviation Capital is selling its portfolio of 84 aircraft and 14 engines – of which 79 aircraft and 14 engines will be leased back to AirAsia and its affiliates.

BBAM Ltd Partnership (BBAM) is one of the world’s largest dedicated managers of investments in commercial jet aircraft. – The Star