What is XSGD (XSGD)?
Quick Facts
- Issuer: StraitsX, a subsidiary of Southeast Asian fintech group Fazz
- Peg: 1:1 to the Singapore Dollar (SGD)
- Launched: 2020
- Reserves: Held at DBS Bank and Standard Chartered
- Regulator: Licensed Major Payment Institution under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
- Blockchains: Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Zilliqa, and more
- Audits: Monthly reserve attestation reports published by an ISCA-listed auditing firm
Introduction
XSGD is a Singapore Dollar stablecoin issued by StraitsX. It is designed to bring the Singapore Dollar on-chain, giving individuals, businesses, and developers a regulated, reliable digital version of SGD they can use across multiple blockchain networks.
Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, XSGD maintains a stable value because every token is backed one-to-one by actual Singapore Dollars held in reserve. This makes it a practical tool for payments, settlements, and DeFi applications.
History & Background
StraitsX launched XSGD in 2020, making it one of the first regulated Singapore Dollar stablecoins. StraitsX operates as a Major Payment Institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), giving XSGD a strong regulatory foundation compared to many other stablecoins.
Over time, XSGD expanded to additional blockchain networks and has been acknowledged by MAS as compliant with Singapore's emerging Single Currency Stablecoin (SCS) regulatory framework.
How XSGD Works
For every XSGD token in circulation, StraitsX holds one Singapore Dollar in reserve accounts at DBS Bank and Standard Chartered. Users can mint XSGD by depositing SGD on the StraitsX platform and redeem it back to SGD at any time on a 1:1 basis.
Transactions settle on-chain, enabling 24/7 transfers without traditional banking delays or third-party clearing agents. Monthly attestation reports by an independent auditor verify that reserves always match the outstanding token supply.
Tokenomics
XSGD follows a fully reserved, collateralized model. New tokens are only minted when an equivalent amount of SGD is deposited, and tokens are burned when users redeem them for fiat. This keeps the circulating token supply directly tied to real fiat holdings.
The token has no inflationary issuance or algorithmic mechanism — its supply simply reflects actual SGD deposited on the platform, making it straightforward and predictable.
|
Circulating supply
| 19.72 million XSGD |
|---|---|
| |
|
Total supply
| 83.62 million XSGD |
|
Max supply
| 0 XSGD |
Ecosystem & Use Cases
XSGD serves a broad range of use cases across the financial ecosystem:
- Cross-border payments — fast, low-cost SGD transfers globally at any hour
- DeFi participation — liquidity provision, lending, borrowing, and yield generation
- FX on-chain — seamless SGD-to-USD or SGD-to-other-currency swaps via liquidity pools
- Business treasury — efficient on-chain SGD rails for regional businesses
- E-commerce & remittances — a stable, programmable currency for Southeast Asian commerce
XSGD is accepted across wallets, exchanges, and fintech platforms in Asia, and has expanded to Coinbase and the Base network, broadening its global reach.
Team, Governance & Community
StraitsX is the sole issuer and manager of XSGD and is a subsidiary of Fazz, a leading Southeast Asian fintech group. Key figures include co-founder and deputy CEO Liu Tianwei, who has spoken publicly about StraitsX's vision for stablecoins as critical financial infrastructure.
Governance over XSGD issuance and redemption is centralized under StraitsX, consistent with its role as a regulated payment institution. The MAS licensing framework provides oversight and consumer protection.
Advantages
- Regulatory compliance — MAS-licensed issuer, aligned with Singapore's SCS framework
- Full reserve backing — every XSGD is backed 1:1 by SGD at reputable banks
- Multi-chain availability — usable on Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, and more
- Transparency — monthly independent reserve attestation reports
- 24/7 settlement — no banking hours or clearing delays
- Non-USD alternative — reduces foreign exchange risk for SGD-denominated users
Risks & Challenges
- Centralization risk — StraitsX controls minting, burning, and reserve management
- Regulatory dependency — changes in MAS policy could directly affect operations
- Limited scale — smaller market cap compared to dominant USD stablecoins like USDT or USDC
- Counterparty risk — reserves rely on the solvency and integrity of custodian banks
- Adoption hurdles — SGD-denominated stablecoins face competition from widely adopted USD stablecoins globally
Long-Term Vision
StraitsX envisions XSGD as critical infrastructure for the future of digital finance in Southeast Asia. By expanding to additional blockchains such as Solana and the XRP Ledger, and forming partnerships with major platforms like Coinbase, StraitsX aims to make XSGD the default digital SGD rail for regional and global commerce.
As cross-border payments and digital finance in Asia continue to grow, XSGD is positioned as a compliant, interoperable bridge between traditional Singapore Dollar finance and the blockchain economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is XSGD?
XSGD is a Singapore Dollar stablecoin issued by StraitsX. It is pegged 1:1 to the SGD and backed by actual Singapore Dollars held in reserve at DBS Bank and Standard Chartered.
- Who issues XSGD?
XSGD is issued by StraitsX, a subsidiary of Southeast Asian fintech group Fazz. StraitsX is licensed as a Major Payment Institution by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
- How is XSGD kept stable at 1 SGD?
For every XSGD token minted, StraitsX holds one Singapore Dollar in reserve. Tokens are only created when SGD is deposited, and destroyed when users redeem them for fiat, keeping the peg intact.
- On which blockchains is XSGD available?
XSGD is available on multiple blockchains including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Zilliqa, and the Base network. StraitsX continues to expand to additional networks over time.
- How can I verify that XSGD reserves are fully backed?
StraitsX publishes monthly reserve attestation reports prepared by an ISCA-listed independent auditing firm. These reports confirm that the amount of SGD held in reserve matches the outstanding XSGD supply.
- What are the main use cases for XSGD?
XSGD can be used for cross-border payments, DeFi activities like liquidity provision and yield generation, on-chain foreign exchange, business treasury management, and e-commerce payments across Southeast Asia.
- Is XSGD regulated?
Yes. StraitsX holds a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and XSGD has been recognized as compliant with Singapore's Single Currency Stablecoin (SCS) regulatory framework.
- How is XSGD different from USD stablecoins like USDC or USDT?
XSGD is denominated in Singapore Dollars rather than US Dollars, making it useful for users and businesses that operate in SGD and wish to avoid foreign exchange conversion costs and currency risk.