Investing Updates: Has Singapore’s stablecoin surge peaked, or is 2026 just the start?

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/wealth/crypto-alternative-assets/has-singapores-stablecoin-surge-peaked-or-2026-just-start

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Stablecoins surged globally in 2025, and Singapore has emerged as a leading hub rather than a late adopter. Singapore dollar-backed stablecoin XSGD grew to about S$17 million in market capitalisation by December, up from S$10 million a year earlier. While modest in absolute terms, this growth reflects strong institutional confidence driven by regulatory clarity rather than retail speculation.

A key advantage is Singapore’s early regulatory groundwork. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) finalised its Single-Currency Stablecoin (SCS) framework in 2023, ahead of similar moves in the US such as the Genius Act. This proactive stance has positioned Singapore as a global benchmark for crypto regulation, earning top ranking for regulatory clarity in Bybit’s 2025 World Crypto Rankings. Industry leaders from Coinbase, Crypto.com and Ryder credit MAS for evolving regulation without chasing hype, attracting serious builders and institutional players.

Globally, stablecoins are a US$300 billion market today and could reach US$4 trillion by 2030 in a bullish scenario. Singapore aims not to dominate issuance, but to become Asia’s most trusted institutional hub for compliant stablecoins. Initiatives such as Project Orchid and the newly announced BLOOM framework signal a shift from experimentation toward real-world settlement using tokenised bank liabilities and regulated stablecoins. Industry leaders expect 2026 to see broader commercial deployment across banks, asset managers and payment systems.

However, challenges remain. Over 98% of global stablecoin value is still US dollar-denominated, creating concentration risk and dependence on US monetary policy. Developing liquid, trusted local-currency alternatives like XSGD will take time. Fragmentation is another concern, with users potentially holding multiple stablecoins; this may be solved through “invisible” software that abstracts complexity.

Looking ahead, growth is likely to come from institutional use cases such as tokenised payables, supply-chain finance and cross-border settlement. The ultimate sign of success in 2026 will be when users benefit from faster, cheaper transactions—without even realising they are using stablecoins at all.