OKX Singapore Launches Stablecoin Payments at Grab Merchants Islandwide

OKX Singapore has launched what it claims is the first stablecoin-powered scan-to-pay service in the city-state, enabling customers to spend USDC or USDT at GrabPay merchant locations by scanning standard SGQR codes.

The service , launched today through partnerships with stablecoin issuer StraitsX and payments platform Grab, allows OKX customers to convert their stablecoins into Singapore dollars at point of sale across Grab's extensive merchant network. Transactions settle through StraitsX's XSGD stablecoin using Singapore's Purpose Bound Money framework, which applies programmable logic for compliant conditional settlement.

The OKX Pay rollout addresses a longstanding challenge in cryptocurrency adoption: bridging the gap between digital asset holdings and everyday merchant acceptance. While crypto payment cards have existed for years, direct scan-to-pay integration with established merchant networks represents a more seamless user experience.

OKX Singapore's service targets the company's existing customer base, who can now utilize stablecoin holdings for daily purchases rather than converting to fiat before spending. The instant conversion mechanism addresses volatility concerns by settling transactions at real-time exchange rates.

"OKX Pay addresses real needs for customers by expanding DPTs' use beyond trading and investing to everyday payments - from a morning coffee to dining out with friends," said Gracie Lin, OKX Singapore CEO, in a statement shared with Blockhead.

The integration operates through the OKX SG app with instant USDT/USDC-to-XSGD-to-SGD conversion, while merchants receive settlement in Singapore dollars without directly handling digital payment tokens. Each transaction executes as a blockchain transfer with embedded compliance checks and real-time validation through the PBM framework.

Lim Kell Jay, regional head of Grab Financial Group, emphasized the benefit for merchant partners: "By integrating OKX Pay with GrabPay through StraitsX's settlement network, we are enabling our merchant-partners to benefit from expanding acceptance to a broader range of users and payment options, without any change to their existing flows."

The launch represents a practical application of Singapore's regulatory framework for digital payment tokens, which OKX Singapore operates under as a licensed DPT platform. The company received Major Payment Institution status from the Monetary Authority of Singapore in September 2024, allowing it to provide digital payment token services in the jurisdiction.

StraitsX serves as the regulated payment service provider enabling the settlement layer. The company's XSGD stablecoin maintains a 1:1 peg with the Singapore dollar and provides the bridge between cryptocurrency holdings and local currency merchant settlement.

"The future of payments will be defined by trust, speed, and interoperability – and stablecoins are at the heart of this shift," said Tianwei Liu, StraitsX CEO and co-founder. "The launch of OKX Pay is more than a new service but a blueprint for how stablecoins will underpin global commerce in the years ahead."

StraitsX has established integrations beyond Grab, including Alipay+ connectivity that enables acceptance at merchants supporting regional wallets like GCash, KakaoPay, and Touch 'n Go. These partnerships position XSGD as infrastructure for cross-border stablecoin commerce across Asia.

Singapore's Purpose Bound Money framework provides the regulatory infrastructure enabling such implementations. The PBM system allows digital currencies to carry programmable conditions governing their use, ensuring transactions meet compliance requirements without manual intervention.

The launch comes as Singapore positions itself as a hub for regulated digital asset activity. The Monetary Authority of Singapore has pursued a measured approach to cryptocurrency regulation, establishing licensing frameworks while maintaining strict compliance requirements for operators.

Whether the service gains significant traction depends on user adoption patterns and merchant awareness. Grab's extensive merchant network provides broad potential acceptance, though merchant education about accepting stablecoin-originated payments may require time.