Singapore ranks first globally as most crypto-friendly city: regulatory transparency and infrastructure
Singapore has ranked first in the 2026 Global Crypto-Friendly City Index, ahead of traditional financial centers like London and New York. The Asia-Pacific region also performed strongly, taking six of the top 10 spots, underscoring Asia's growing influence in attracting digital asset capital, entrepreneurs, and infrastructure.
The ranking, released earlier this month by Multipolitan, a platform specializing in cross-border flows, assessed global cities based on regulatory clarity, tax efficiency, institutional infrastructure, and actual 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 strengthening competitiveness of the Asia-Pacific region in digital assets, especially in areas such as licensing regimes, stablecoin and exchange-traded fund (ETF) frameworks, digital-native consumer groups, and more competitive tax environments.
Low tax rates no longer the sole factor; regulation and infrastructure more critical
Multipolitan pointed out that low tax rates alone are insufficient to sustain long-term crypto competitiveness. The best-performing cities typically combine transparent governance, reliable licensing pathways, institutional-grade infrastructure, and high levels of everyday usage.
The platform described this as a 'low-tax, high-trust' model, distinguishing modern digital asset hubs from traditional financial centers. The latter, despite mature financial systems, may have higher compliance complexity that could restrict innovation, capital formation, and ecosystem development.
The index also focused on infrastructure already in place, rather than just policy announcements. Multipolitan cited Singapore's regulated stablecoin framework, Hong Kong's spot virtual asset ETFs, Dubai's licensed virtual asset service provider ecosystem, and merchant and government payment integration as key factors supporting the rankings.
Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) released a regulatory framework for issuing stablecoins locally in 2023, which has not yet become formal law, but the authority has indicated it will proceed with legislation.
The Multipolitan index also showed that Hong Kong continues to consolidate its position through exchange licensing and expansion of institutional products. Thailand is gradually building a competitive edge with regulatory sandboxes and tax exemptions. Dubai ranks high due to zero personal income tax and relatively clear regulatory infrastructure under the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
