The Singapore and Malaysia division of Domino's Pizza has partnered with SingularityNET to implement its blockchain-powered artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the Domino’s division confirmed to Cointelegraph on May 2. Within the new partnership, SingularityNET will incorporate AI algorithms and solutions in Domino’s operations to improve its supply chain processes and logistics in Malaysia and Singapore, a SingularityNET press release shared with Cointelegraph notes. According to the announcement, the strategic partnership aims to improve the food industry giant’s business operations by conducting feasibility studies, running AI-focused workshops and developing new algorithms specific to the firm’s needs. New AI features are set …

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has issued two consultation papers seeking public feedback on the regulatory frameworks for initial coin offerings (ICOs) and property crowdfunding. The request was noted in a press release published on the SC’s website Wednesday, March 6. The Malaysian SC, a statutory body responsible for the regulating and systematic developing of the capital markets in Malaysia, has invited the public to leave comments on the consultation papers by March 29, 2019. The Malaysian finance minister, Lim Guan Eng, had previously noted that the ministry saw digital assets as offering both an alternative fundraising method and a …

The Malaysian state of Penang is considering the use of blockchain technology in food and agricultural products supply chains, local English-language newspaper The Star reports on March 1. According to the country’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Sim Tze Tzin, cited by the newspaper, the technology can be used for various applications in the industry. For instance, consumers would be able to track the origins of a particular product they purchase by scanning codes. Additionally, the industry can quickly warn consumers about the outbreaks of dangerous foodborne diseases. The minister also stated that the key advantage of using …

Swiss-based cybersecurity firm WISeKey and a subsidiary of Malaysian tech investment holding Censof announced a partnership to expand blockchain activities, according to a press release Jan. 25. WISeKey, which focuses on secure authentication and identification using a cryptographic tool called Root of Trust, has increasingly incorporated Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain technology into its portfolio. The partnership will reportedly establish a “Blockchain Center of Excellence” in Malaysia, as well as broaden the use cases for blockchain available to Censof’s clients via its subsidiary, Cendee. The project forms the latest step in a series of plans for WISeKey, which has …

Cryptocurrency exchanges and blockchain-based companies in Malaysia face some testing times following regulatory changes in the country. As of Tuesday, Jan. 15, new regulations governing cryptocurrencies have come into effect in Malaysia. According to reports, the new regulation has classified cryptocurrencies, tokens and crypto assets as securities, which means they are now under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Securities Commission. In accordance with the change, any unauthorized cryptocurrency exchanges or initial coin offering (ICO) could face a 10-year jail sentence and fines to the tune of $2.4 million. While the change may seem harsh at face value, the punishments for …

Malaysian cryptocurrency regulation comes into effect on Tuesday, Reuters reports on Monday, Jan. 14. The Malaysian finance minister, Lim Guan Eng, reportedly said today that the Capital Markets and Services Order 2019 would become effective on Jan. 15. According to Reuters, the new regulation classifies digital currencies, tokens and crypto-assets as securities, placing them under the Securities Commission’s authority. Starting from Tuesday, any person operating unauthorized initial coin offerings (ICOs) or digital asset exchanges in Malaysia will be reportedly facing a 10-year jail sentence and a 10 million ($2.4 million) ringgit fine. According to Malaysian news outlet The Star, Eng …

The Malaysian government is reportedly still undecided whether to legalize cryptocurrencies, English-language local media New Straits Times reports on Jan. 12. When answering a query about whether digital currencies are currently legal or illegal, Khalid Abdul Samad, the Malaysian federal territories minister, reportedly said: “At the moment, the answer is neither legal nor illegal as the situation is still unclear.” Samad also pointed out that while he was involved in the launch of Harapan Coin (HRP) — a proposed political cryptocurrency — he wasn’t appointed as finance minister, noting that the the matter therefore does not fall under his jurisdiction. …

Malaysia’s finance regulator and central bank issued a joint press statement Dec. 6 in which they confirmed they were “putting in place” legislation on cryptocurrency and Initial Coin Offering (ICO) assets. The statement from the Malaysia’s Securities Commission (SC) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), which follows comments from senior government official that regulation of the sector could appear in Q1 2019, also reiterates the need comply with securities laws where appropriate. “The SC will regulate issuances of digital assets via initial coin offerings (ICO) and the trading of digital assets at digital asset exchanges in Malaysia,” it confirmed. “Regulations are …

The ongoing controversy surrounding Malaysia’s proposed political cryptocurrency, Harapan Coin, is far from letting up. On Nov. 26, the country’s finance minister, Lim Guan Eng, weighed in on the issue by reiterating that any entity looking to issue a cryptocurrency should first refer to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission: “Don’t do it without Bank Negara’s guidelines or directive on the matter to avoid doing something wrong and against the law.” During the same press conference, Lim Guan Eng also said that he had asked a government official — who has recently made a series of statements in …

Malaysia will enact regulations for cryptocurrency and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) in Q1 2019, local English-language news media outlet The Star reported Nov. 28. The publication quoted finance minister Lim Guan Eng, who said Wednesday said the country’s regulator, the Securities Commission (SC), had updated him with a timeframe for the new rules. The move will form “part of the SC's efforts to facilitate alternative fundraising avenues and new investment asset classes,” The Star added. Malaysia has taken a piecemeal path to regulation of its domestic cryptocurrency industry, originally beginning the process in late 2017. Authorities have sought to control …

Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has stated that any entity wishing to issue cryptocurrency must defer to the country’s central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). The minister’s comments were reported by local English-language daily broadsheet the New Straits Times (NST) Nov. 26. The finance minister outlined his stance in response to a question from parliamentary member Dr Tan Yee Kew of the country’s ruling People's Justice Party (PKR). Dr. Tan reportedly inquired into which measures were being taken to assess the risks cryptocurrencies may pose for the financial system and local fiat currency. As the NST notes, Dr. Tan’s …

Malaysian lending giant CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has joined Ripple’s (XRP) cross-border payments network RippleNet, Bloomberg reports Nov. 15. The $53.5 billion market cap CIMB will integrate Ripple’s XCurrent product, a software solution for expediting cross-border payments, for its “SpeedSend” remittance product. As Bloomberg reports, CIMB’s product serves multiple Southeast Asian markets, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. As Bloomberg notes, Ripple is vying to outstrip incumbent money transfer giant SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) in the global cross-border payments industry. The latter’s website claims SWIFT currently serves over 11,000 clients across 200 countries. In an interview with …