Operationalising CARF and CRS 2.0: From Policy to Practical Implementation

The impending domestic implementation of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and the Amendments to the Common Reporting Standard (CRS 2.0) marks a fundamental shift in tax transparency for Singapore's digital asset ecosystem. With the transition from FATCA and CRS to the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and CRS 2.0, financial institutions, crypto-asset service providers (RCASPs), fintechs, and payment providers face a new era of tax transparency and compliance.

Be part of one of @Tax Academy of Singapore first comprehensive seminar on CARF & CRS 2.0, where IRAS, leading tax advisors, financial institutions and digital asset industry practitioners come together to discuss Singapore’s implementation roadmap, emerging challenges and practical steps towards Day 1 readiness.

From policy intent to operational implementation, this practical seminar will equip participants with the latest developments, regulatory perspectives and implementation insights needed to prepare for the next phase of international tax transparency.

Who Should Attend?

This seminar is designed for anyone navigating, managing, or investing within the digital asset ecosystem who needs to understand upcoming regulatory.

Segment 1: CARF and CRS 2.0: The State of Global Discussions

• Focus: OECD developments, foundational rules, and the evolving boundary between CARF and CRS regarding tokenization and stablecoins.

• Speaker: Dr. Max Bernt, Managing Director, Taxbit (APAC & EMEA)

Segment 2: IRAS Perspectives & Updates

• Focus: Singapore’s domestic implementation, policy rationale, legislative updates, and compliance expectations. Includes a presentation followed by a panel and an audience Q&A session.

• Speakers: Lim Zhi Wei (Director, IRAS) and Pang Cheng Jong (Deputy Director, IRAS)

• Moderator: Mercy Joseph (Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal)

Networking & Refreshments Break

• Dedicated time for peer networking. Coffee, tea, and light fare provided at the Tax Academy of Singapore Hub.

Segment 3: Operationalising CARF / CRS 2.0: Experiences from First-Mover Jurisdictions

• Focus: Unpacking the practical hurdles RCASPs face, data gap management, and lessons learned from early-adopting regions to ensure a smooth rollout in Singapore.

• Moderator: Dr. Max Bernt (Taxbit)

• Panellists:

  • Wesley Kow (Change Management Lead, Client Tax Team, UOB Singapore)

  • Sima Shah (Partner & Lead for FATCA and CRS Services, EY Singapore)

  • Derek Koh (Head of Tax, OKX)

  • Peter Brewin (Partner and APAC Digital Assets Leader, PwC Hong Kong)

Event Details

📅 Date: 12 August 2026

⏰Time: 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM SGT

💻 Format: Hybrid (In-person & online via Zoom)

📍 In-Person Venue: Tax Academy of Singapore Hub @ Revenue House (Light refreshments provided)

👥 Note for Local Attendees: We highly encourage in-person registration to participate in the direct networking segment and face-to-face Q&A with the speakers.

 Standard Fee: $327.00 (Incl. GST) – Seats are limited due to event venue capacity

🏷️ Early Bird Rate: $261.60 (Incl. GST) – Save 20% off! Limited to first 10 registrants only

🔗Registration & Brochure: Via Link

Please ensure that you have read and understood the Terms and Conditions (https://www.taxacademy.sg/independent-pages/terms-and-conditions/) before you register for the course.

All applications are subject to confirmation. The first 10 successful registrants, determined by order of registration, will receive an invoice at the early bird rate of $261.60. Subsequent registrants will receive an invoice at the standard fee of $327.00. Upon payment, a confirmation email will be sent to you.

Please note that photographs and footage may be taken during the course/event. These will be used by Tax Academy for marketing and publicity in our publications, website and social media platforms.

Speakers

Dr. Max Bernt, Managing Director, Taxbit (APAC & EMEA)

Dr. Max Bernt is Managing Director for APAC & EMEA at Taxbit, based in Singapore, with over 10 years of experience in the digital asset industry. A qualified lawyer and judge from Austria, he serves as Co-Chair of the Business Advisory Group to the OECD's Working Party No. 10, where he has led private sector engagement on the implementation of the CARF and the CRS amendments over the past several years. In addition, he serves on the UN's International Expert Commission on Cryptocurrency Levies for Climate & Development under the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force (GSLTF), an initiative co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron (France), Prime Minister Mia Mottley (Barbados), and President William Ruto (Kenya).

Beyond tax information reporting, Max advises governments and regulators on the development and implementation of digital asset regulation, including contributing to the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) and its recent AML legislative package.

Lim Zhi Wei, Director, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

Zhi Wei is Director of Exchange of Information at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), where he leads Singapore’s efforts in international tax transparency. He currently serves as Singapore’s competent authority for exchange of information, overseeing the implementation of global standards, including the Common Reporting Standard, and representing Singapore in OECD working groups.   

Prior to joining IRAS, Zhi Wei spent close to two decades at the Singapore Ministry of Finance, where he worked on tax policy, with a focus on corporate and international tax issues, including tax transparency policies. This experience continues to inform his work on international tax transparency and cross-border tax cooperation.

Pang Cheng Jong, Deputy Director, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

As Deputy Director in the Exchange of Information Branch at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), Cheng Jong leads Singapore’s implementation of the Automatic Exchange of information (AEOI) framework, including the Common Reporting Standard and Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework. With expertise spanning policy, legislation, system development and cross-border tax cooperation, Cheng Jong has been at the heart of Singapore’s AEOI journey.  He also serves as Singapore’s Competent Authority for exchange of information and represents Singapore at various OECD working groups, actively shaping the development of these international standards. Before joining IRAS, Cheng Jong spent several years in tax advisory and compliance at a leading professional services firm, advising businesses on corporate and cross-border tax matters.

Mercy Joseph, Managing Director, Alvarez and Marsal

Mercy Joseph is a Managing Director at Alvarez and Marsal, based in Singapore, with over 18 years of experience in tax, including over 10 years specialising in operational taxes across multiple industry verticals including Banks, Funds, trustees, insurance companies, fintechs, family offices as well as multinational companies. ​Mercy advises banks on classification and treatment of bank products from a Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (“CARF”) and Common Reporting Standard (“CRS”) perspective as part of CARF readiness assessment while also providing insights into practical challenges of extending CRS and Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) frameworks to CARF. In addition, she has advised coin issuers on their obligations under CARF and CRS. She has also been a speaker at various events on the topic of digital assets and CARF bringing insights on the CARF implementation challenges.​ Her areas of expertise include the FATCA, CRS, Qualified Intermediary (QI) regime, and the CARF. She advises financial institutions on interpreting these evolving reporting regimes, with a focus on aligning industry practice with regulatory intent.

Mercy also has experience with the Qualified Intermediary (“QI”) regime and has worked with new QI applicants on assessment of the status, application, setting up the process and framework required as well as annual reporting for QI and NQIs.

Mercy is a Chartered Accountant from India.

Prior to joining A&M, Mercy was a Partner in EY Singapore leading the Customer Tax Operations and Reporting team in Singapore. She actively participates in industry forums on operational taxes to share thought leadership with a view to preparing the industry on what’s to come. She collaborates closely with the tax authorities on new regimes as well as changes in existing operational tax regimes. Mercy brings a forward-looking perspective on the evolution of global transparency regimes and actively engages with regulators and industry participants on emerging implementation challenges in the digital asset ecosystem and the traditional financial ecosystems.

Wesley Kow, Change Management Lead within the Client Tax team at UOB Singapore

Wesley Kow is the Change Management Lead within the Client Tax team at UOB Singapore, where he drives the implementation of global tax transparency and information reporting regimes across the bank. A seasoned operational tax specialist with extensive experience in FATCA, CRS, Qualified Intermediary (QI), and, more recently, the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), Wesley has been at the forefront of translating complex regulatory requirements into practical business solutions. With deep expertise in bridging regulatory, business, data, and technology functions, Wesley specializes in transforming regulatory obligations into sustainable operational processes, data frameworks, and systems capabilities. At UOB, he plays a key role in ensuring that emerging tax transparency regulations are embedded into the bank's operating model in a meaningful and scalable manner, helping the organization navigate increasingly complex global reporting requirements.

Sima Shah, Partner and Lead for FATCA and CRS services, EY Singapore

Sima Shah is a Partner in EY Singapore's Financial Services Tax practice and leads EY Singapore's FATCA and CRS services. A specialist in FATCA, CRS, and other tax transparency initiatives, she advises financial institutions and investment funds on regulatory implementation, governance, due diligence and compliance across Singapore and key offshore financial centres.  Sima holds degrees in Commerce and Law from Mumbai University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Derek Koh, Head of Tax at OKX

Derek is Head of Tax at OKX, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, where he leads global tax strategy and oversees all of OKX's tax matters. With over 17 years of tax experience, including 4 years focused on the digital asset industry, Derek has developed deep expertise in navigating the unique tax and reporting challenges facing crypto exchanges — from cross-border transaction structuring to the rapid evolution of global tax transparency standards.

Derek holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from Nanyang Technological University of Singapore and is an Accredited Tax Advisor (Income Tax) with the Singapore Chartered Tax Professionals.

Peter Brewin, Partner and APAC Digital Assets Leader, PwC Hong Kong

Peter Brewin is the PwC APAC digital assets leader and is also a partner in PwC Hong Kong’s financial services tax practice from which he coordinates PwC’s tax efforts globally with respect to digital asset taxation. He has been working in digital assets and Web3 since 2017 and in financial services since 2004. He has advised clients across the financial services sector on taxation matters – with deep expertise in transfer pricing and M&A and on the Crypto Asset Tax Reporting Framework. He has experiences in advising digital asset exchanges, custodians and funds and financial institutions on how to develop their digital assets tax strategies. More recently he has advised companies on real world asset tokenisation, and has worked with governments and regulators on the development of digital asset policies and regimes to incentivise the adoption of Web3.

Peter is a founding member of the board of Web3 Harbour, an industry association focused on supporting the growth and development of the Web3 industry in Hong Kong. He is also a participant on the AIMA digital assets working group, the ASIFMA fintech working group and a member of the Fintech Association of Hong Kong. He is also the author of the PwC Global Crypto Tax Report and the Global Crypto Hedgefund Report which is prepared by PwC in conjunction with the Alternative Investment Management Association.

Register Now!

Avoid last-minute operational bottlenecks ahead of the upcoming compliance deadlines. Secure your pass today to benchmark your readiness against industry peers and regulators.

Sign up here: Link