By Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) is reportedly expanding its stablecoin services to retail customers, allowing users to convert between US dollars and the dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies USDT and USDC directly through its mobile banking application.
According to reports published on October 16, 2026, customers can exchange dollars for either stablecoin and convert their holdings back into fiat without transferring funds to an external cryptocurrency exchange.
The reported service also allows customers to hold USDT, USDC and supported fiat currencies within a single banking relationship. Conversions are described as available around the clock from Monday through Friday. However, the precise scope of retail eligibility has not been independently confirmed through a new official announcement from the bank.
Despite its name, Singapore Gulf Bank is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, rather than operating as a Singapore-licensed bank. The development would represent another step toward integrating stablecoins into conventional banking services, reducing the operational separation between digital assets and traditional money.
Retail Expansion Builds on Existing Stablecoin Infrastructure
SGB has spent much of 2026 developing infrastructure connecting fiat currencies with blockchain-based assets. On February 2, the bank announced an expansion of SGB Net, its proprietary settlement network, to support stablecoin minting, conversion, custody and trading.
The platform was designed to accommodate USDC and USDT across blockchains including Solana, Ethereum and Arbitrum. At that time, SGB reported processing more than $2 billion in monthly fiat transactions through its network. On April 17, the bank formally launched stablecoin minting and redemption for corporate and high-net-worth clients.
The initial service supported USDC transactions exceeding $100,000, with additional stablecoins, including USDT, planned for subsequent introduction. SGB also introduced promotional incentives for Solana-based transactions, including temporary waivers of network gas fees and banking charges.
The newly reported retail functionality would therefore represent an expansion beyond the previously disclosed institutional offering. However, SGB has not publicly clarified whether retail users face minimum conversion amounts, transaction limits, spreads or additional eligibility restrictions.
Banking Partnerships Strengthen Digital Dollar Connectivity
The reported retail expansion follows two significant banking infrastructure developments earlier in October. On October 5, SGB announced a partnership with Payward, Kraken’s parent company, to provide continuous US dollar settlement for selected institutional clients across eligible Asian and Gulf jurisdictions.
The integration connects Payward with SGB Net and includes plans to incorporate Kraken Prime as an additional digital asset liquidity source. SGB reported that its settlement network was processing more than $20 billion in monthly fiat transactions by October, compared with the $2 billion disclosed in February.
On October 12, the bank separately announced expanded dollar payment capabilities through BNY’s 24/7 USD Book Transfers service. That arrangement enables eligible corporate and retail customers to execute qualifying dollar transfers during weekends and US public holidays.
The BNY service is distinct from stablecoin conversion and does not establish that cryptocurrency transactions are available seven days a week. Together, these developments illustrate SGB’s strategy of combining conventional banking rails with blockchain-based settlement infrastructure.
For customers, direct stablecoin conversions could reduce reliance on third-party exchanges and simplify movement between bank balances and digital dollars. Nevertheless, stablecoins carry issuer, redemption and operational risks that differ from ordinary bank deposits.
The commercial significance of the reported retail rollout will depend on confirmed customer eligibility, pricing, transaction volumes and whether the bank expands access beyond its existing jurisdictions.