Top 3 Signals This Week
1) MAS crackdown unlicensed crypto firms to cease operations by 30 June 2025
MAS is tightening oversight, requiring all unlicensed digital token service providers incorporated in Singapore to cease operations if they haven’t applied for a licence.
➤ Why it matters: MAS is drawing a clear line. Any crypto or Web3 firm incorporated in Singapore, no matter where it operates, must get licensed or shut down. For founders and hiring managers, compliance isn’t optional anymore. It directly affects the ability to hire, raise capital, or even stay operational. Expect shakeups across unlicensed exchanges, wallet providers, trading firms, and more in the coming months in Singapore.
MAS Guideline: https://www.mas.gov.sg/-/media/guidelines-on-licensing-for-digital-token-service-providers.pdf
Learn more: https://rockrose2022.substack.com/p/singapores-mas-crackdown-unlicensed
2) Trump signs proclamation banning travel from 12 countries
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation banning the nationals of 12 countries from entering the US, saying the move was needed to protect against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats.
The countries affected by the latest travel ban are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
The entry of people from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will be partially restricted.
➤ Why it matters: This may not directly affect most job seekers in Asia, but it signals a shift toward tighter U.S. immigration and travel policies. That could impact global hiring plans, cross-border mobility, and how companies structure distributed teams. It’s a reminder that geopolitics can shape where and how top talent moves.
3) ChatGPT business plans get a major update
Read the full update by Nate Gonzalez, Product Leader at OpenAI.
💡 Headhunter’s Lens
We’ve been hiring in web3 for the past 5 years, and here’s what we’ve observed:
- Crypto nativeness is overrated; functional, technical, leadership, and soft skills triumph every time.
- Shady hiring managers lead to shady hiring practices and culture. Birds of a feather flock together.
- Some companies have such a bad reputation that others won’t even interview candidates from them. Choose wisely who you join.
- Personal risk is real. Don’t take a role just because it’s cool or sounds too good to be true, you could end up in custody if things go wrong.
- Compliance enables growth. Visionary leaders know this.
- Most projects and people in web3 are in it to get rich, and many won’t be around for long. Pick employers with a long-term vision that solves real-world problems.
🚀 Executive Move to Watch
Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn, will now also oversee Microsoft’s Office products and M365 Copilot.
Read his announcement here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7336055049233584130/
📬 One to Forward
🎧 The career of Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team Principal and CEO