Southeast Asia Super App" Grab collaborates with StraitsX: Building a stablecoin payment network to accelerate Web3 into the daily routines of delivery and ride-hailing.

Southeast Asia's super app Grab and StraitsX agreement to integrate stablecoins into the payment system aims to reduce cross-border settlement costs in Southeast Asia, but regulatory attitudes remain the biggest uncertainty (Background: DePIN application》NATIX collaborates with Southeast Asia's largest unicorn Grab: creating a new generation of decentralized global maps) (Background: Southeast Asia Uber》Grab is set to support 180 million users for crypto payments? Collaborating with Circle to enhance Web3 wallet experience) Southeast Asia's super app Grab and Singapore-based stablecoin issuer StraitsX signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday (18th), planning to embed the stablecoin settlement layer directly into Grab's payment network across eight countries, challenging the lengthy and expensive cross-border processes of traditional banks and Swift. We are pleased to announce that @GrabSG and StraitsX have formally signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the @sgfintechfest. This MOU marks the launch of our joint initiative to explore the development of a Web3-enabled payments infrastructure across Asia,… pic.twitter.com/rgKg3r2f0F — StraitsX (@StraitsX) November 18, 2025 From 'value-added services' to upgrading the underlying plumbing In the past, Grab's attempts at NFT coupons or plug-in wallets were mostly marketing experiments. This collaboration feels more like tearing down the foundation of an old house and re-paving the plumbing: the MOU mentions building a 'Web3-supported settlement layer' that would make XSGD and XUSD stablecoins the default clearing tracks. If regulatory approval is granted, funds can be settled on-chain instantly when users click to pay in the Grab App. StraitsX CEO Tianwei Liu candidly stated: The payment systems in Southeast Asia are inherently fragmented and expensive. Existing cross-border remittances are like changing positions on railroads with different gauges, costly and slow. Our goal is to lay down a universal digital railway. Addressing cost pressures from fragmentation Southeast Asia has multiple currencies and forex controls, and cross-border payments often require T+2 to settle. Grab and StraitsX intend to shorten the settlement time to T+0, enabling instant cash flow recovery, which is especially crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on high turnover. Grab's financial head Kell Jay Lim stated: 'We want to use Web3 for the backend, but keep the interface familiar to users, making the technology invisible.' Extending the roadmap to Taiwan and Japan in 2026 StraitsX's official roadmap announced in November plans to expand the network to Taiwan and Japan by 2026. This means that in the future, Taiwanese tourists can complete the exchange of local fiat and stablecoins instantly when taking Grab in Bangkok or Malaysia, bypassing high credit card fees, offering new options for travel and e-commerce ecosystems. Regulatory fragmentation is the biggest variable However, the feasibility of technology does not guarantee a pass. Grab's coverage in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and other eight countries has significant variances in regulations for digital assets. The Monetary Authority of Singapore has released a stablecoin framework, but most emerging markets still view crypto payments as a threat to monetary sovereignty. Grab and StraitsX must comply with local AML and CTF regulations, which incurs high compliance costs, and regulatory attitudes dictate the pace of advancement. If Grab wants to lay down its payment arteries across Asia, it must first overcome regulatory hurdles. In summary, Grab and StraitsX are upgrading stablecoins to a regional settlement layer, aiming to challenge the inefficiencies of traditional finance; whether it can be realized depends on the final nod from central banks and regulatory authorities in various countries. Related reports: The first Solana staking ETF in the US debuted: $33 million on the first day, but difficult to withstand 'good news has been fully priced in'? SOL underperformed ETH 2025 DePIN report: Opportunities and challenges in the AI era Tesla Robotaxi trial operation in Texas, self-driving taxis will challenge Waymo and Uber's positions <Southeast Asia Super App》Grab collaborates with StraitsX: creating a stablecoin payment network to accelerate Web3's entry into delivery and ride-hailing daily life> This article was first published on BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.