Singapore Leads Global Crypto-Friendly Cities, Regulation & Infrastructure Key
Singapore ranked first in the 2026 Global Crypto-Friendly Cities Index, ahead of traditional financial centers like London and New York. The Asia-Pacific region also performed strongly, taking six of the top ten spots, reflecting Asia's growing influence in attracting digital asset capital, entrepreneurs, and infrastructure.
The ranking, released earlier this month by Multipolitan, a platform focused on cross-border flows, assessed cities on regulatory clarity, tax efficiency, institutional infrastructure, and actual adoption.
Nirbhay Handa, CEO of Multipolitan, said, "Singapore's lead 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."
Asia-Pacific Cities Collectively Strong
In addition to Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei also entered the global top ten. Multipolitan believes this reflects the region's growing competitiveness in digital assets, particularly in licensing regimes, stablecoins and exchange-traded fund (ETF) frameworks, digital-native consumer bases, and more competitive tax environments.
Regulation and Infrastructure More Important Than Low Taxes
Multipolitan noted that low taxes alone are no longer sufficient to sustain long-term crypto competitiveness. The best-performing cities typically combine transparent governance, reliable licensing pathways, institutional-grade infrastructure, and high everyday usage.
The platform calls this the "low tax, high credibility" model, arguing that it distinguishes modern digital asset hubs from traditional financial centers, which, despite mature financial systems, may restrict innovation, capital formation, and ecosystem development due to higher compliance complexity.
Real Infrastructure Determines City Rankings
The index also focuses on existing infrastructure 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 city rankings.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore published a regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers in Singapore in 2023, which has not yet become formal law. However, the authority has indicated it will proceed with legislation.
The Multipolitan index also shows that Hong Kong continues to consolidate its position through exchange licensing 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 a relatively clear regulatory infrastructure under the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
