Why Asia is Choosing Crypto
Traditional cross‑border transfers through banks, even with SWIFT GPI, 90% of cross‑border payments reach the destination bank within an hour, but end‑customer crediting and total cost still depend on the corridor, intermediaries and local rules. The cost of such transfers also remains high.
The situation is no easier for cards. Visa interchange for many categories is above ~1.5% + a fixed fee; with scheme/acquirer markups the merchant discount often exceeds 2%. This is a significant burden for a startup.
Add a fragmented banking system and the lack of uniform standards between countries, and it becomes clear why businesses are actively looking toward crypto. This is especially true given that the region has long been accustomed to digital payments: QR codes, super apps, and mobile wallets have already become the norm.
Regulation also plays a key role. For example, MAS (Singapore) has finalized a regulatory framework for single‑currency stablecoins (SCS) pegged to SGD or G10 currencies; HKMA (Hong Kong) implemented a licensing regime for fiat‑referenced stablecoin issuers (effective 1 Aug 2025).
Stablecoins and Infrastructure
The main driver of growth is stablecoins. They reduce day‑to‑day volatility, ensure predictable settlements, and are pegged to the dollar or other fiat currencies.
Today, a startup can connect crypto payments in literally hours: via Merchant API, webhooks, plugins and hosted payment pages. Payment acceptance can be automated immediately: merchants can enable auto‑conversion of incoming payments into a target crypto (e.g., USDT) to reduce volatility exposure.
Cryptomus
Cryptomus is a good example of such native infrastructure. The platform offers:
- •Merchant API and webhooks,
- •Plugins for WooCommerce, WHMCS, and other CMS,
- •Ready‑made payment pages,
- •Auto‑conversion to stablecoins.
Payment acceptance starts at a 0.4% commission, and KYC is a mandatory part of the process, which complies with regional AML requirements.
Advantages for Startups
The key advantages of crypto payments are obvious:
- •Fees are lower than for cards and bank transfers;
- •Transfers can settle within minutes, depending on the network and confirmation policy;
- •Startups can reach global customers more easily, subject to local rules and compliance;
- •Crypto users form a new and growing audience segment.
In addition, startups working through Cryptomus receive fast onboarding, 24/7 support and a personal manager available during onboarding and scaling.
Challenges and Prospects
Despite progress, there are still no uniform rules in the region: each country is developing its own approach to stablecoins and crypto processing. That’s why it’s important for startups to choose platforms that implement mandatory KYC/AML and provide a transparent infrastructure — Cryptomus follows these standards, helping businesses operate legally and scale safely.
The trend is clear: the number of countries with clear rules for stablecoins is growing, and the role of digital money in cross‑border payments is increasing.
So, crypto payments in Asia are no longer a niche alternative. They are becoming the new payment rails on which the region's digital economy is built. For startups, this is not only an opportunity to save on commissions and speed up transfers, but also a chance to integrate into the new global financial system, leaving competitors behind.