Expert verified

5 min read

Coinbase acquires Major Payment Institution license in Singapore

Published date:

February 2, 2026

Our Editorial Standards:

Cryptocurrencies can be volatile and high risk. Though our articles are for informational purposes only, they are written in accordance with the latest guidelines from tax agencies around the world and reviewed by certified tax professionals before publication. Learn more about our Editorial Process and Risk Warning.

Coinbase’s blog post stated, “Singapore is home to over 700 Web3 companies, making it a pivotal market for the growth of the crypto and Web3 economy… We're ready to continue our work in Singapore, supporting and growing with the local crypto and Web3 community.”

Crypto exchange Coinbase has acquired a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), bringing it one step closer to expanding its presence in Southeast Asia. The announcement came almost a year after Coinbase received the initial approval from the Singaporean regulator.

Major Payment Institution (MPI) licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore: secured. Thank you MAS. https://t.co/VXkTmw7tVf
— paulgrewal.eth (@iampaulgrewal) October 2, 2023

Calling Singapore a priority market, Coinbase highlighted that 25% of its surveyed Singaporean residents consider cryptocurrencies the future of finance. Coinbase has also launched multiple services for Singapore-based clients over the last few months. This includes SingPass digital ID integration and support for PayNow and FAST payment gateways.

Get Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get tips, our favorite services, and the best deals on Bitcompare-approved picks sent to your inbox

The MPI license is one of the three licenses issued by the MAS that involves a thorough review of a firm’s compliance arrangements, risk assessment, and security provisions, among other factors. It also has higher minimum eligibility requirements and monetary thresholds than the Standard Payment Institution (SPI) license. MPI-certified firms are allowed to conduct business without the SG$3M ($2.18M) monthly transaction limit on a single payment service.

It is worth noting that Coinbase has increased its efforts to expand to other nations with clearer crypto rules ever since it received a Wells Notice from the SEC earlier this year. In fact, Coinbase has already registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Spain, Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Written by

Ayush Pande

Ayush Pande is a hardware, gaming, and crypto writer based in India. He's a tech enthusiast who's fascinated by the potential of blockchain technology.

Connect with Ayush on LinkedIn

How we reviewed this article

All Bitcompare articles go through a rigorous review process before publication. Learn more about our Editorial Process and Risk Warning.

Ayush Pande

Written by:

Ayush Pande

Writer

As a tech enthusiast who's always on the prowl for the latest developments concerning crypto and hardware, you can find him covering news stories or tinkering with PCs.

About the Author

As a tech enthusiast who's always on the prowl for the latest developments concerning crypto and hardware, you can find him covering news stories or tinkering with PCs.

About the Author

Radica Maneva

Reviewed by:

Radica Maneva

Senior Editor

Radica is a Senior Editor at Bitcompare. She has worked for more than a decade at leading publications as an Editor across various industries, including crypto and finance.

Bitcompare is a trading name of Blue Venture Studios Pty Ltd.

Advertiser disclosure: Bitcompare is a comparison engine that relies on advertising for funding. The business opportunities that can be found on this site are offered by companies with which Bitcompare has made deals. This relationship may affect the way and where products appear on the site, such as in what order they are listed in categories. Information about products may also be placed based on other factors, such as the ranking algorithms on our website. Bitcompare does not look at or list all companies or products on the market.
‍
Editorial disclosure: The editorial content on Bitcompare is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The opinions expressed here are the author’s alone. Additionally, the opinions expressed by the commenters do not necessarily reflect those of Bitcompare or its staff. When you leave a comment on this site, it will not show up until a Bitcompare administrator approves it.

Warning: The price of digital assets can be volatile. The value of your investment can go down or up, and you may not get back the amount invested. You are the only one who is responsible for the money you invest, and Bitcompare is not responsible for any losses you might have. Any APR shown is a rough estimate of how much cryptocurrency you will earn in rewards over the time period you choose. It does not display the actual or predicted returns or yields in any fiat currency. The APR is adjusted daily, and the estimated rewards may differ from the actual rewards generated. The information on this page is not meant to be a sign from Bitcompare that the information is correct or reliable. Before making any investment, you should carefully consider your investment experience, financial situation, investment objectives, and risk tolerance, and consult with an independent financial advisor. Links to third-party sites are not under the control of Bitcompare, and we are not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of such sites or their contents. For more information, see the Terms of Service for Bitcompare and our Risk Warning.