Bitstamp Enters Singapore as City-State Solidifies Crypto Hub Ambitions

Singapore has granted crypto exchange Bitstamp a license to operate, reinforcing its role as a leading digital asset hub in Asia—even as regulators impose strict barriers to entry.

The approval comes months after MAS mandated that all offshore-facing crypto firms obtain licenses, warning that few would qualify due to money laundering risks and oversight limitations. Bitstamp’s compliance contrasts with smaller players now at risk of expulsion.

Alongside Hong Kong, Singapore is emerging as a gateway for crypto in APAC, leveraging clear regulations to attract firms. MAS approved double the crypto licenses in 2024 vs. 2023, though retail adoption lags behind institutional growth.

The move highlights Singapore’s balancing act: fostering innovation while maintaining ironclad controls—a model increasingly shaping global crypto policy.