Singapore – Technology Performance Digest

Executive Summary

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of Singapore’s current performance and future trajectory in two key dual-use technologies: blockchain-technology and digital-twins, as of June 2025. The analysis focuses on the roles of leading local organisations, namely DataMesh and the National University of Singapore, in advancing these technologies for both civilian and defence applications. Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, strong regulatory frameworks, and strategic investments have positioned it as a regional leader in digital transformation. However, challenges remain in scaling deployments and maintaining technological sovereignty. The report concludes with a five-year outlook, identifying opportunities, risks, and recommendations for sustaining Singapore’s competitive edge.

Strengths

Strategic National Vision and Policy Support

Singapore’s government has consistently prioritised digital innovation as a core pillar of national development. The Smart Nation initiative, now in its second decade, provides a robust policy backbone for the adoption of blockchain-technology and digital-twins. Regulatory sandboxes, grants, and public-private partnerships have created a fertile environment for experimentation and scaling.

Research and Talent Ecosystem

The presence of world-class institutions, notably the National University of Singapore (NUS), underpins Singapore’s leadership in both technologies. NUS has established dedicated research centres, such as the NUS Centre for Trusted Internet and Community (CTIC), which focus on secure, scalable blockchain architectures and digital twin modelling. NUS’s strong industry linkages facilitate rapid translation of research into operational prototypes.

Industry Champions and Startups

Singapore’s vibrant startup ecosystem includes key players like DataMesh, which has emerged as a regional leader in digital twin solutions for manufacturing, logistics, and urban planning. The city-state’s status as a financial hub has also attracted global blockchain firms, while local startups have pioneered applications in supply chain, fintech, and defence logistics.

Defence Innovation and Dual-Use Mindset

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) have actively explored dual-use applications of these technologies. Blockchain-based secure communications, tamper-proof supply chain management, and digital twin-based simulation for training and maintenance are being piloted. The close integration of civilian and defence R&D accelerates technology transfer.

Weaknesses

Limited Domestic Market Size

Singapore’s small population and market size constrain the scale at which new technologies can be deployed and stress-tested domestically. This limits the availability of large, diverse datasets for training digital twins and stress-testing blockchain networks under real-world loads.

Dependence on Foreign Technology Providers

Despite strong local capabilities, Singapore remains reliant on foreign technology stacks, especially in blockchain protocols and high-fidelity digital twin platforms. This dependence creates potential vulnerabilities in supply chain security and limits sovereign control over critical infrastructure.

Talent Retention and Skills Gap

While NUS and other institutions produce top-tier graduates, there is intense global competition for blockchain and digital twin specialists. Singapore faces challenges in retaining talent, particularly as regional competitors (e.g., South Korea, Australia) ramp up incentives for skilled professionals.

Regulatory and Standards Fragmentation

The rapid evolution of both technologies has led to a fragmented standards landscape. While Singapore has pioneered regulatory sandboxes, harmonisation with global standards—especially in blockchain interoperability and digital twin data formats—remains incomplete, creating friction for cross-border applications.

Notable Programmes & Investments

National University of Singapore

• Blockchain Research Programme: NUS leads several government-funded projects on blockchain scalability, privacy-preserving protocols, and smart contract security. The university’s partnerships with industry (e.g., IBM, ConsenSys) have resulted in pilot deployments for secure digital identities and cross-border payments.
• Digital Twin Innovation Lab: NUS operates a state-of-the-art lab focused on urban digital twins, collaborating with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and DSTA. The lab develops high-fidelity city-scale models for infrastructure planning, disaster response, and energy optimisation.

DataMesh

• Industrial Digital Twin Platforms: DataMesh provides turnkey digital twin solutions for manufacturing, logistics, and defence clients. Its platforms integrate real-time IoT data, 3D modelling, and predictive analytics to optimise asset management and operational efficiency.
• Cross-Sector Pilots: DataMesh has partnered with Changi Airport Group and PSA International to deploy digital twins for predictive maintenance and logistics optimisation, demonstrating dual-use potential for both civilian and defence logistics.

Government Initiatives

• Project Ubin: The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) flagship blockchain initiative has moved beyond payments to explore asset tokenisation, supply chain finance, and cross-border trade documentation using distributed ledgers.
• Smart Nation Digital Government Group (SNDGG): SNDGG continues to fund public sector pilots of digital twins for urban planning, transport, and utilities, with a focus on interoperability and resilience.

Defence Programmes

• DSTA Blockchain Supply Chain Pilot: DSTA has trialled blockchain-based systems for tracking defence equipment, improving transparency and reducing fraud.
• MINDEF Digital Twin Simulators: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have adopted digital twin-based simulators for training, maintenance, and mission rehearsal, leveraging real-time data feeds and AI-driven scenario generation.

Competitive Comparison

Regional Leaders

• South Korea: Invests heavily in blockchain R&D and smart city digital twins, with large-scale deployments in Seoul and Busan. Korean firms benefit from a larger domestic market and strong electronics manufacturing base.
• Australia: Focuses on blockchain for supply chain and critical infrastructure protection, and digital twins for mining and defence. Australian universities and defence agencies have strong international collaborations.
• China: Leads in both technologies at scale, driven by state-led programmes and massive datasets. However, concerns over data governance and trust limit international adoption of Chinese platforms.

Singapore’s Position

Singapore is recognised as a regional innovation hub, excelling in regulatory clarity, public-private partnerships, and translational research. Its strengths lie in agility, trust, and the ability to pilot and scale solutions quickly within a secure environment. However, it lags behind China and South Korea in terms of scale and depth of domestic deployment, and faces stiff competition for talent and investment.

Global Benchmarks

• Europe: The EU’s Gaia-X and International Data Spaces initiatives set benchmarks for digital twin interoperability and data sovereignty, while the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) advances cross-border blockchain applications.
• United States: US firms dominate blockchain protocol development and digital twin software, but regulatory uncertainty and fragmented markets hinder national-scale deployments.

Opportunities for Collaboration / Export

ASEAN and Regional Markets

Singapore’s regulatory leadership and reputation for trust position it as a gateway for ASEAN digital infrastructure projects. There is strong demand for blockchain-based trade facilitation, digital identities, and logistics optimisation in neighbouring countries.

Defence and Security Exports

Singapore can export digital twin-based training simulators, predictive maintenance platforms, and secure blockchain supply chain solutions to allied defence forces in the region. Partnerships with Five Eyes and NATO countries are feasible, given Singapore’s alignment with international standards and data governance best practices.

Academic and R&D Collaboration

NUS and other institutions can deepen collaboration with leading universities and research centres globally, focusing on joint research in privacy-preserving blockchain protocols, AI-driven digital twin analytics, and standards development.

Public-Private Partnerships

Singapore’s model of public-private consortia (e.g., Project Ubin, DataMesh pilots) can be exported as a template for other small, advanced economies seeking to accelerate dual-use technology adoption.

Risks & Mitigation

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

Both blockchain-technology and digital-twins introduce new attack surfaces. Smart contract vulnerabilities, blockchain consensus attacks, and digital twin data breaches could compromise critical infrastructure or defence operations.

Mitigation:

• Continued investment in cybersecurity R&D (e.g., NUS’s Centre for Cybersecurity).
• Adoption of zero-trust architectures and privacy-preserving computation.
• Regular red-teaming and penetration testing of deployed systems.

Supply Chain and Technology Sovereignty

Reliance on foreign technology stacks exposes Singapore to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical risks.

Mitigation:

• Incentivise local development of core blockchain protocols and digital twin platforms.
• Diversify technology partnerships and maintain multi-vendor procurement strategies.
• Invest in sovereign cloud and data infrastructure.

Regulatory and Standards Uncertainty

Fragmented standards and evolving regulations could impede cross-border interoperability and export opportunities.

Mitigation:

• Proactive participation in international standards bodies (e.g., ISO, ITU).
• Lead regional harmonisation efforts through ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meetings.
• Maintain agile regulatory sandboxes to adapt to technological change.

Talent Drain

Global competition for skilled professionals could erode Singapore’s talent base.

Mitigation:

• Expand scholarships, research fellowships, and talent retention incentives.
• Attract global talent through targeted immigration and work visa programmes.
• Invest in continuous upskilling and industry-academia mobility schemes.

Outlook (5-year)

Technology Trajectory

Over the next five years, Singapore is poised to consolidate its leadership in the secure, scalable deployment of blockchain-technology and digital-twins for both civilian and defence applications. Key trends include:

• Mainstream Adoption: Widespread integration of blockchain-based digital identities, trade documentation, and asset tokenisation across government and industry.
• City-Scale Digital Twins: Expansion of urban digital twins to cover all major infrastructure, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and scenario planning for resilience.
• Defence Transformation: Deeper integration of digital twin-based simulation and blockchain-secured logistics in SAF operations, enhancing readiness and operational efficiency.
• Regional Export Growth: Increased export of Singaporean platforms, standards, and expertise to ASEAN and allied markets.

Challenges

• Scaling Beyond Singapore: Achieving scale will require deeper regional integration and harmonisation of standards.
• Maintaining Trust and Security: As systems become more interconnected, the risk of cyber threats and data breaches will rise, necessitating ongoing vigilance.
• Sustaining Talent and Innovation: Continuous investment in education, R&D, and international partnerships will be essential to stay ahead of fast-moving global competitors.

Strategic Recommendations

• Double Down on Sovereign Capabilities: Prioritise the development of indigenous blockchain and digital twin platforms to reduce external dependencies.
• Lead Regional Standards Initiatives: Position Singapore as the convenor of ASEAN-wide standards for interoperability and data governance.
• Expand Defence-Civilian Technology Transfer: Leverage dual-use pilots to accelerate adoption in both sectors, with a focus on exportable solutions.
• Invest in Talent and Ecosystem Development: Broaden talent pipelines and foster deeper collaboration between academia, industry, and government.

Conclusion

Singapore’s proactive approach, anchored by institutions like DataMesh and the National University of Singapore, has established a strong foundation in blockchain-technology and digital-twins. With sustained investment, strategic partnerships, and a focus on sovereign capabilities, Singapore is well-positioned to remain a regional leader and trusted exporter of dual-use digital technologies over the next five years. However, success will depend on the city-state’s ability to scale, secure, and continually innovate in an increasingly competitive and complex global landscape.