Singapore Ranked World's Most Crypto-Friendly City: Clear Regulations

Singapore ranked first in the 2026 Global Crypto-Friendly Cities Index, ahead of traditional financial hubs like London and New York. The Asia-Pacific region also performed strongly, claiming six spots in the global top 10, highlighting Asia's rising influence in attracting digital asset capital, entrepreneurs, and infrastructure.

The ranking, published earlier this month by cross-border flow research platform Multipolitan, evaluated global cities based on regulatory clarity, tax efficiency, institutional infrastructure, and real-world adoption.

Multipolitan CEO Nirbhay Handa said: 'Singapore's leading position reflects a deeper structural shift in global finance. Crypto competitiveness is increasingly determined not by speculation, but by regulatory predictability, operational infrastructure, and capital efficiency.'

Besides Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei also entered the global top 10. Multipolitan believes this reflects the Asia-Pacific region's growing competitiveness in digital assets, particularly in licensing regimes, stablecoin and ETF frameworks, digital-native consumer bases, and more competitive tax environments.

Low Taxes No Longer Enough: Regulation and Infrastructure Key

Multipolitan noted that low tax rates alone are insufficient for long-term crypto competitiveness. The best-performing cities typically combine transparent governance, reliable licensing pathways, institutional-grade infrastructure, and higher everyday usage.

The platform describes this as a 'low-tax, high-credibility' model, distinguishing modern digital asset hubs from traditional financial centers. The latter, despite mature financial systems, may limit innovation, capital formation, and ecosystem development due to higher compliance complexity.

Weight on Live Infrastructure: Stablecoins, ETFs & Payment Integration

The index also focuses on infrastructure already in place, not just policy announcements. Multipolitan cited Singapore's regulated stablecoin framework, Hong Kong's spot virtual asset ETFs, Dubai's licensed VASP ecosystem, and merchant/government payment integration as key ranking factors.

The platform also noted that the Monetary Authority of Singapore in 2023 announced a regulatory framework for stablecoin issuance locally. While not yet law, authorities have indicated legislative work will proceed.

Asia-Pacific Consolidates: Hong Kong, Thailand & Dubai's Differentiated Paths

The Multipolitan index shows Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position through exchange licenses and institutional product expansion. Thailand is building a competitive edge through regulatory sandboxes and tax exemptions. Dubai also ranks high due to zero personal income tax and relatively clear regulatory infrastructure under the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.