Coinbase Partners with StraitsX to List Singapore Dollar Stablecoin XSGD in Landmark Move

Digital asset giant Coinbase just shook up the stablecoin game—adding Singapore's XSGD to its trading roster through a strategic partnership with StraitsX.

The Asian Gateway Opens

This isn't just another listing. Coinbase strategically bypasses traditional forex channels by integrating Singapore's first regulated stablecoin. The move positions XSGD as a direct competitor to US-dominated stablecoins while giving Asian traders seamless access to SGD-denominated crypto trading.

Regulatory Chess Move

StraitsX brings MAS-approved credibility to the table—something even Tether struggles with in certain jurisdictions. Coinbase gains instant regulatory cover while expanding its Asian footprint without the usual compliance headaches.

Global Liquidity Shift

Watch for liquidity flows to fragment away from pure USD pairs. Traders now have clean SGD on-ramps without currency conversion fees—cutting out banking intermediaries that typically take 3-5% on forex spreads.

Because nothing says financial revolution like creating digital versions of every fiat currency—but this time with 24/7 settlement and actual transparency. Take that, traditional finance.

Coinbase has announced today a strategic partnership with StraitsX, issuer of Singapore dollar-backed stablecoin XSGD, in a collaboration will bring XSGD to Coinbase users globally.

The partnership will see XSGD available on both Coinbase and Coinbase Advanced starting September 29 at 19:00 UTC. StraitsX operates as a stablecoin issuer in Singapore and issues XSGD and XUSD. XSGD has been acknowledged by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to be compliant with the upcoming Single Currency Stablecoin (SCS) regulatory framework.

This initiative brings faster and cheaper local and cross-border payments for Singaporeans, offering a seamless one-to-one conversion between the Singapore dollar (SGD) and XSGD. By providing an alternative to USD-based stablecoins, XSGD aims to mitigate currency risk and foreign exchange volatility, thereby fostering greater financial inclusion and strengthening the local economy.

The collaboration will also see the issuance of XSGD on Base, the low-cost ethereum Layer 2 chain incubated by Coinbase. This will enable on-chain foreign exchange transactions in a decentralized, frictionless, and cost-efficient manner. A key feature of this rollout will be the launch of an XSGD/USDC pool on Aerodrome, the central liquidity hub on the Base network, with liquidity incentives to drive adoption.

According to an announcement shared with Blockhead, the companies believe that launching on Base "will unlock a series of exciting use cases for Base users and builders in their local currency, including enabling AI agents to interact seamlessly on the blockchain, purchasing digital art and acquiring ‘real-world assets’ such as collectible items linked to NFTs, and powering on-chain FX transactions that are permissionless and available 24/7."

Hassan Ahmed, Country Director of Coinbase Singapore, stated, "With XSGD live on Coinbase Singapore, we're one step closer to making local and cross-border payments instant and accessible to everyone with a phone and wallet."

Tianwei Liu, CEO & Co-Founder of StraitsX, echoed this sentiment, adding, "By enabling seamless, direct access to local currency stablecoins, we are breaking down the USD-centric barriers that have long limited on-chain FX markets."

Both Coinbase and StraitsX are licensed as Major Payment Institutions (MPI) in Singapore. This collaboration is indication of Coinbase's continued commitment to expanding its footprint in the APAC region.