Coinbase Expands in Asia: Launches Singapore Business With USDC Payments for Startups

Coinbase has kicked off its first international expansion of Coinbase Business in Singapore, equipping local startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with seamless USDC payments, crypto trading, and automated financial tools. Announced November 12, 2025, the platform—initially unveiled in the U.S. last June—partners with Standard Chartered for real-time Singapore dollar (SGD) transfers, enabling instant settlements via stablecoins like USDC and XSGD. This launch targets Asia’s innovation hotspot, where over 700 Web3 firms thrive amid supportive regulations.

At the core is a “crypto operating account” that slashes cross-border fees to 1%—versus traditional card rates—and eliminates chargebacks with on-chain efficiency. Businesses can issue payment links, automate payroll for global teams, manage vendor payouts, and earn yields on USDC holdings, all integrated with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero. APIs further allow ERP systems to accept stablecoin invoices, streamlining cash flow for fintech and Web3 ventures.

“Singapore stands as a beacon of digital innovation and a vital gateway to Asia,” said Sid Coelho-Prabhu, Coinbase’s head of business. “By harnessing USDC’s speed and stability, we’re delivering a unified stack for payments, assets, and reporting—empowering ambitious firms to outpace legacy finance.” The rollout builds on Coinbase’s October 2025 role in the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) BLOOM Initiative, focusing on “Agentic Payments” for programmable settlements.

Securing its Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from MAS in October 2023 paved the way for this compliant growth. Country Director Hassan Ahmed, a Harvard MBA alum with prior stints at eToro and GoTo Group, emphasized ecosystem building: “We’re fostering workshops at NUS and SMU, investing via Coinbase Ventures, and collaborating with groups like the Singapore Fintech Association to amplify economic opportunities.”

Analysts hail the timing amid Asia’s stablecoin surge. “USDC addresses remittance bottlenecks with near-zero volatility and 24/7 access—ideal for Singapore’s borderless economy,” noted fintech consultant Lim Wei Jie of Straits Analytics. With institutional adoption rising—evidenced by recent Echo acquisition for on-chain fundraising—Coinbase eyes deeper penetration in Japan, India, and Australia.

This Singapore foothold signals crypto’s pivot from speculation to infrastructure, potentially capturing a slice of the $2.5 trillion B2B payments market. For regional entrepreneurs, it’s not just tools—it’s turbocharged growth in a compliant, crypto-native era.