Former MAS Official Ziqing Ang Joins TRM Labs as APAC Policy Head

How Will Ang’s MAS Experience Influence TRM’s APAC Strategy?

TRM Labs has appointed former Monetary Authority of Singapore official Ziqing Ang as Head of Policy for the Asia-Pacific region. The appointment was announced on August 27, 2026, as the blockchain intelligence firm reported tracking over $103 billion in adjusted crypto crime volume for 2025. Ang brings regulatory experience from MAS to strengthen TRM’s engagement with policymakers across the APAC region.

Ang’s role will focus on shaping policy responses to illicit cryptocurrency use, leveraging his background in financial regulation and supervision. TRM Labs said his expertise will help bridge the gap between blockchain analytics and regulatory frameworks in fast-evolving digital asset markets. The firm emphasized the growing need for coordinated action as crypto-related financial crime scales globally.

What Challenges Lie Ahead for Crypto Policy in Asia?

Ang’s tenure at MAS included work on fintech innovation and risk management in digital payments. TRM Labs stated this background equips him to advise governments on balancing innovation with safeguards against money laundering and fraud. His appointment signals TRM’s intent to deepen collaboration with central banks and financial authorities in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and beyond.

Regulators across APAC are diverging in their approaches, with some embracing innovation and others imposing strict controls. Ang noted that harmonizing standards remains difficult but essential to prevent regulatory arbitrage. TRM Labs plans to support policymakers with data-driven insights to inform consistent, effective oversight without stifling legitimate blockchain use.

What is TRM Labs’ primary function? TRM Labs provides blockchain intelligence tools to help governments, financial institutions, and crypto businesses detect and investigate illicit cryptocurrency activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did TRM Labs appoint a former MAS official? The company aims to strengthen its policy engagement in APAC by leveraging Ang’s regulatory expertise and relationships built during his time at MAS.

How much crypto crime volume did TRM track in 2025? TRM Labs reported tracking more than $103 billion in adjusted crypto crime volume globally during 2025.