Singapore Tops Global Most Crypto-Friendly Cities as Regulation Transparency Leads
Singapore ranked first in the 2026 Global Most Crypto-Friendly Cities Index, ahead of traditional financial centers such as London and New York. The Asia-Pacific region also performed strongly, taking six of the global top 10 spots, showing that Asia’s influence in attracting digital-asset capital, entrepreneurs and infrastructure continues to rise.
The ranking, released earlier this month by Multipolitan, a platform focused on cross-border flows, assesses global cities 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.”
Asia-Pacific cities shine; Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul and others make the top 10
Besides Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei also entered the global top 10. Multipolitan said this reflects the growing competitiveness of the Asia-Pacific region in digital assets, especially in licensing regimes, stablecoin and exchange-traded fund (ETF) frameworks, digitally native consumer bases and more competitive tax environments.
Low taxes are no longer the only factor; regulation and infrastructure matter more
Multipolitan said low tax rates alone are no longer enough to sustain long-term crypto competitiveness. The best-performing cities typically combine transparent governance, reliable paths to licensing, institutional-grade infrastructure and high levels of day-to-day use.
The platform described this as a “low-tax, high-trust” model, arguing that it distinguishes modern digital-asset hubs from traditional financial centers. The latter may have mature financial systems, but higher compliance complexity can limit innovation, capital formation and ecosystem development.
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 ecosystem of licensed virtual asset service providers, and merchant and government payment integration as key factors supporting city rankings.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore announced a regulatory framework for stablecoins issued in Singapore in 2023, but it has not yet become formal law. The authority has indicated that legislative work will follow.
The index also shows Hong Kong continuing to strengthen its position through exchange licensing and institutional product expansion. Thailand is gradually building a competitive edge through regulatory sandboxes and tax exemptions. Dubai ranks high as well, thanks to zero personal income tax and clearer regulatory infrastructure under its Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
