Singapore’s transparent crypto regulation and infrastructure top the world’s most friendly city ranking

Singapore ranked first in the 2026 Global Most Crypto-Friendly Cities Index, ahead of traditional financial centres such as London and New York. Asia-Pacific also performed strongly, taking six of the global top 10 spots, showing the region’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 mobility, assessed cities worldwide based on regulatory clarity, tax efficiency, institutional infrastructure and real-world adoption.

Multipolitan CEO Nirbhay Handa said: “Singapore’s lead reflects a deeper structural shift in global finance. Crypto competitiveness is increasingly determined not by speculation, but by regulatory predictability, operating infrastructure and capital efficiency.”

Besides Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei also made the global top 10. Multipolitan said this reflects rising Asia-Pacific competitiveness in digital assets, especially in licensing systems, stablecoin and exchange-traded fund (ETF) frameworks, digitally native consumer bases and more competitive tax environments.

Low taxes are no longer enough; regulation and infrastructure matter more

Multipolitan said low tax rates alone are no longer enough to support long-term crypto competitiveness. The best-performing cities usually combine transparent governance, reliable licensing pathways, institutional-grade infrastructure and high everyday usage.

The platform described this as a “low tax, high trust” model, arguing that it sets modern digital asset hubs apart from traditional financial centres. The latter may have mature financial systems, but higher compliance complexity can limit innovation, capital formation and ecosystem growth.

The index also focuses on infrastructure that is already in place, not 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 the integration of merchant and government payments as key factors supporting city rankings.

Multipolitan noted that the Monetary Authority of Singapore announced a regulatory framework in 2023 for stablecoins issued locally. The framework has not yet become formal law, but the authority has said legislation will follow.

At the same time, Multipolitan said Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position through exchange licensing and the expansion of institutional products. Thailand is gradually building a competitive edge with regulatory sandboxes and tax exemptions. Dubai also ranks high thanks to zero personal income tax and a clearer regulatory infrastructure under its Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.