Complying with Singapore’s Payment Services Act and MAS Notice PS-N01

A guide for Stripe users in Singapore

  1. Introduction
  2. Background
  3. What this means for Stripe users
  4. Enhanced identity verification
  5. Collection of additional KYC information
  6. Verification of authority to open the account
  7. Account closure
  8. Conclusion
  9. References

Background

The Singapore Payment Services Act 2019 (PSA) was issued by the Singapore government as a “forward-looking and flexible framework for the regulation of payment systems and payment service providers in Singapore.” Replacing the former Payment Systems Oversight Act and Money-Changing and Remittance Businesses Act, the PSA “provides for regulatory certainty and consumer safeguards, while encouraging innovation and growth of payment services and fintech.”

In addition, Notice PS-N01 (Prevention of Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism—Specified Payment Services), which was issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in conformity with the PSA, introduces various risk management measures for digital payment systems and regulated payment service providers (including Stripe) across various areas like user protection, anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), interoperability, and information technology.

What this means for Stripe users

In order to comply with the AML/CFT measures mandated by the PSA and Notice PS-N01, Stripe is making certain changes to the user onboarding process and has introduced the following additional measures that apply to both new and current users:

  • Enhanced identity verification
  • Collection of additional Know Your Customer (KYC) information
  • Verification of authority to open the account

Enhanced identity verification

Consumer protection provisions under the PSA and Notice PS-N01 require Stripe to implement an enhanced identity verification process for certain users. To remain in compliance with this requirement, Stripe may ask you to verify yourself via Singapore Myinfo (using your Singpass app) or provide a valid form of ID with a photo of yourself captured by Stripe—using the camera on your computer or mobile device.

Collection of additional KYC information

In order to comply with the PSA and Notice PS-N01, Stripe will collect additional information from you, e.g., your nationality, details about your company’s directors, etc. The extent of additional information Stripe is required to collect depends, among other things, on the type of your Stripe account, and we would only request information that we need in order to comply with the applicable regulations.

Verification of authority to open the account

In order to comply with the PSA and Notice PS-N01, Stripe is required to verify that an individual opening the Stripe account is authorized to do so on behalf of the business. In order for Stripe to verify this information, please only proceed to open the account if you are the owner or a director of the business.

Account closure

If verification remains uncompleted, provisions under PSA and Notice PS-N01 require Stripe to:

  • Pause charge processing and payouts to bank accounts if user verification remains uncompleted 30 business days after the terms of the Stripe SSA have been accepted.
  • Terminate and permanently close the Stripe payment account if verification remains uncompleted 120 business days after the terms of the Stripe SSA have been accepted.

If you wish to use Stripe’s payment system again, you will need to create a new Stripe account.

Conclusion

Stripe’s payment service provider is designed to help our users stay up-to-date on new features or changing regulations—including the new requirements introduced by the PSA and MAS Notice PS-N01. If you have any questions, please let us know.

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