The Monetary Authority of Singapore also said it would focus on countering terrorism financing in its 'Enforcement Report' that is published every 18 months.

MAS said it would seek to update its enforcement powers to better detect, investigate, and take action against financial misconduct and would increase focus on the accountability of senior management for any breaches, according to the report.

The city-state is bolstering its enforcement regime as it seeks to solidify its position as a global financial hub.

Singapore authorities earlier this year said they were working together to scrutinise the local operations of collapsed German payments firm Wirecard in one of the more recent high-profile cases.

The MAS has imposed S$11.7 million ($8.6 million)in civil penalties and helped secure the criminal convictions of nine individuals for market misconduct or related offences between January 2019 and June 2020.

($1 = 1.3684 Singapore dollars)

(Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan in Singapore; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa)