Singapore tops Multipolitan’s 2026 Crypto Friendly Cities Index, leading an Asia Pacific showing that accounted for six of the global top 10 cities.
The index evaluates cities across regulatory clarity, tax efficiency, institutional infrastructure and real-world adoption. Multipolitan says Singapore secured first place by combining a clear regulatory architecture with favourable tax treatment, institutional participation and expanding payment integration.
The ranking puts Singapore ahead of legacy financial centres, including London and New York. Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei also placed in the global top 10, reflecting what Multipolitan described as Asia’s growing role in attracting digital asset capital, founders and infrastructure.
“Singapore’s lead reflects a broader structural shift in global finance. Crypto competitiveness is increasingly defined not by speculation, but by regulatory predictability, operational infrastructure, and capital efficiency,” says Nirbhay Handa, chief executive officer of Multipolitan.
Multipolitan says Asia Pacific cities benefited from clearer licensing regimes, expanding stablecoin and exchange-traded fund (ETF) frameworks, digital-native consumer populations and increasingly competitive tax environments.
Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position through exchange licensing and institutional product expansion, according to the index. Thailand’s regulatory sandbox and tax exemptions are emerging as competitive accelerators, while Dubai ranks strongly by combining zero personal income tax with a visible regulatory infrastructure under the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
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Low tax alone is no longer enough to sustain long-term crypto competitiveness. Top-performing cities combine transparent governance, reliable licensing pathways, institutional-grade infrastructure and meaningful everyday usability, according to the index.
The company describes this as a “low tax, high credibility” model, which it says distinguishes modern digital asset hubs from traditional financial centres where heavier compliance complexity can hinder innovation, capital formation and broader ecosystem development.
Multipolitan says the index placed emphasis on live infrastructure rather than policy announcements. It cites Singapore’s regulated stablecoin framework, Hong Kong’s spot virtual asset ETFs, Dubai’s licensed virtual asset service provider ecosystem, and growing merchant and government payment integrations as examples.
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“Policy creates headlines, but infrastructure creates a durable advantage. The jurisdictions leading this next chapter are those where crypto works in practice, not just in theory,” says Handa.
The findings suggest digital wealth is increasingly moving toward jurisdictions where financial innovation, governance and mobility converge. For investors, founders and borderless families, location is becoming a strategic variable in preserving returns, reducing friction and accessing future growth.
Multipolitan was launched in 2024 and describes itself as a platform for borderless living, enabling people to live, move and travel globally.
