I pagamenti in stablecoin diventano 'invisibili' nel sud-est asiatico mentre il business delle carte crypto cresce

Bilal_With_Crypto · 2026-03-30T04:01:23.000Z

StraitsX, un'azienda con sede a Singapore, ha visto una rapida crescita nel suo programma di carte stablecoin, con un aumento di 40 volte nel volume delle transazioni e un incremento di 83 volte nell'emissione delle carte tra il 2024 e il 2025. Nei mercati affollati e nelle economie digitali del sud-est asiatico, è in corso una rivoluzione silenziosa. I pagamenti sostenuti da stablecoin stanno diventando così senza soluzione di continuità che gli utenti spesso non si rendono nemmeno conto di stare utilizzando criptovalute. Dietro le quinte, fornitori di infrastrutture come StraitsX, con sede a Singapore, stanno trasformando le ferrovie blockchain in uno strato "invisibile" che alimenta la spesa quotidiana.

StraitsX, a Singapore-based company, has seen rapid growth in its stablecoin card program, with a 40x surge in transaction volume and an 83x increase in card issuance between 2024 and 2025.
In the bustling markets and digital economies of Southeast Asia, a quiet revolution is underway. Stablecoin-backed payments are becoming so seamless that users often don't realize they're using crypto at all. Behind the scenes, infrastructure providers like Singapore-based StraitsX are turning blockchain rails into an "invisible" layer that powers everyday spending.
Between Q4 2024 and Q4 2025, StraitsX recorded a staggering 40x increase in card transaction volume for its stablecoin card program. The number of cards issued grew even faster — an 83-fold jump — making it one of the fastest-expanding stablecoin card initiatives in the region, according to company co-founder and CEO Tianwei Liu.
StraitsX doesn't issue the cards directly to consumers. Instead, it operates as a Visa BIN sponsor and provides the stablecoin settlement infrastructure for partners such as RedotPay and UPay. When a customer taps their card or scans a QR code at a merchant, the transaction feels like any normal payment in local currency. In the background, stablecoins (including StraitsX's own XSGD and XUSD) settle instantly, bridging crypto and traditional finance without friction.
"No user cares whether a payment runs on stablecoins or fiat — they only care if the payment goes through," Liu told CoinDesk. This philosophy drives the company's strategy: make the stablecoin layer as invisible as possible, much like fiber-optic cables that power the internet but remain unnoticed by everyday users.
Broader Context: Crypto Cards Going Mainstream
The growth at StraitsX mirrors a larger trend. Global monthly volumes for crypto cards have ballooned from roughly $100 million in early 2023 to over $1.5 billion by late 2025. In Southeast Asia, where remittances, cross-border trade, and digital payments are booming, stablecoin cards offer clear advantages: lower fees, faster settlements, and 24/7 availability compared to traditional banking rails.
One partner, RedotPay, is on track to process over $2.95 billion in card transactions in 2025 alone, highlighting the real-world scale these programs are achieving.
StraitsX has cumulatively processed nearly $30 billion in stablecoin transactions, underscoring its role as a key infrastructure player. The company issues regulated stablecoins tied to the Singapore dollar (XSGD), US dollar (XUSD), and Indonesian rupiah (XIDR), providing compliant on-chain rails for both crypto-native and traditional institutions.
Expansion Plans and the Road Ahead
StraitsX is not stopping at cards. The company is actively expanding its StraitsX Payment Network across Asia. Key initiatives include:
Project BLOOM with Thailand's KASIKORNBANK (KBank), enabling real-time, FX-transparent cross-border QR payments between Singapore and Thailand (targeted for Q2 2026 go-live).
Plans to connect Japan, Taiwan, and other markets, creating a unified payment corridor across Southeast and Northeast Asia.
An MOU with super-app Grab to explore Web3 wallets and stablecoin settlement integrated into everyday experiences.
By the end of March 2026, StraitsX expects to launch its XSGD and XUSD stablecoins on the Solana blockchain, opening the door to high-speed, low-cost applications — including potential machine-to-machine micropayments.
Visa, a key partner, views stablecoin-backed cards as a natural evolution of payments. They deliver the same familiar customer experience while unlocking benefits like reduced remittance costs and opportunities for personalized rewards.
Why "Invisible" Matters
For many in Southeast Asia, crypto still carries a perception of volatility and complexity. By making stablecoins the invisible backbone of familiar card and QR payments, companies like StraitsX are accelerating mainstream adoption without requiring users to understand blockchain.
As Liu puts it, stablecoins should simply work — reliably, instantly, and without drawing attention to the technology underneath.
With regulatory clarity improving in Singapore and across the region, and stablecoin volumes continuing to climb, the "invisible" payments layer may soon become the new normal for millions of users in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Stablecoin Payments Go 'Invisible' in Southeast Asia as Crypto Card Business Surges