Securities Commission Malaysia to allow operators of e-wallets to distribute capital market products

The Guidelines on Recognized Markets has been amended to introduce a new chapter on “e-Services platform”, which contains the registration requirements and ongoing obligations for e-Service providers. This amendment will allow operators of e-wallet or e-payment applications to partner with Capital Markets Services Licence holders to distribute capital market products to investors. E-wallets or e-payment operators which are currently subject to the oversight of another sectorial regulator will be required to obtain the prior approval from the said regulator before submitting their application to the SC.

‘‘The SC will continue to facilitate the development of innovative digital solutions to improve access to investments for all participants of the Malaysian capital markets. The introduction of the e-Service platform framework will facilitate the wider distribution of capital market products through digital platforms which are already familiar to our investors,” said Datuk Syed Zaid Albar, Chairman of the SC.

The SC had stated during its virtual press conference held on 16 April 2020 that it observed an increase in the number of online trading accounts being registered. At the same time, there has also been a shift among licence holders towards using digital channels to distribute capital market products and services.

Interested operators will have to register with the SC as a recognized market operator (RMO) and may submit their applications from today onwards.