Rain Alternative for Compliant Card Issuance in APAC

Rain alternative needed? Launch Visa debit card programs in APAC in 12-14 weeks with StraitsX. Our regulated, full-stack platform ensures compliant, zero-fee stablecoin settlement.
Launch in Asia

What is a stablecoin-backed card?

A stablecoin-backed card program uses stablecoins as the underlying settlement layer while operating on established card networks. Transactions are converted into the required network currency within the issuing framework, linking digital asset treasury operations with regulated payment rails.

Why teams look beyond Rain for card infrastructure

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Without a MAS-licensed issuer and Visa BIN sponsor in your stack, teams face regulatory hurdles that delay go-live by months or force costly infrastructure rebuilds.
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Relying on external processors adds overhead at every settlement cycle, eroding margins and creating reconciliation complexity that crypto-native operations cannot afford.
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Signing separate issuer relationships market by market across APAC adds years to expansion timelines and fragments the compliance and operations stack.

What makes StraitsX a credible Rain alternative

Card Issuance

Visa BIN Sponsorship Without a License

StraitsX acts as the Visa BIN sponsor for your card program, handling all scheme licensing, compliance, and network approvals. Go live in 12 to 14 weeks across APAC without a 2 to 3 year independent licensing process.
12 to 14 week go-live
No independent Visa license needed
10-market APAC coverage
Infrastructure

Full Stack Issuer and Processor Control

StraitsX operates as both card issuer and processor, removing the third-party processor layer that drives up costs and slows SLAs. This delivers tighter system control, structurally lower costs, and a clear path to your own BIN ownership.
No third-party processor overhead
Faster SLAs and system control
Path to BIN ownership
Settlement

Zero Fee Stablecoin Settlement Native

Because StraitsX is the issuer of XUSD and XSGD, stablecoins issued by StraitsX licensed as a Major Payment Institution under the Payment Services Act 2019, there is no third-party conversion overhead. Card programs and treasury operations settle at zero stablecoin handling fees.
Zero stablecoin handling fees
XUSD and XSGD settlement
Issuer-native no counterparty markup
Transparent green padlock enclosing a stack of coins with a Polygon cryptocurrency logo on them.
Compliance

Built In AML and Card Scheme Compliance

Clients inherit StraitsX's MAS-licensed compliance framework, including AML screening, transaction monitoring, KYC onboarding, and card scheme controls. No need to build a compliance stack from scratch before launch.
MAS-licensed compliance framework
AML and KYC built in
Card scheme controls included
Digital Wallets

Complete Apple Pay and Google Pay Certification

StraitsX completes full in-app provisioning certification for Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, not shortcuts or workarounds. Cardholders add cards directly from your app, with wearable tokenization for smart rings and watches also supported.
Complete provisioning certification
Apple Pay Google Pay Samsung Pay
Wearable tokenization supported

Wallet-ready cards for everyday spend

Cards your users can tap anywhere – StraitsX supports end-to-end card tokenization across major mobile and wearable wallets, allowing programs to deliver instant, wallet-ready cards to their users.

Token Service

We also support tokenization for virtual cards, physical cards, wearable rings and in-app provisioning.

Hear from our clients

Powering the Pionex Card Program with StraitsX Card Issuance Infrastructure

Read customer story

Frequently
Asked
Questions

  • How is StraitsX different from Rain as a card issuance partner?

    StraitsX is the only APAC-licensed player that both issues its own stablecoins, as a Major Payment Institution licensed by MAS under the Payment Services Act 2019, and acts as a Visa BIN sponsor. This dual role means stablecoin settlement carries zero handling fees because StraitsX is the issuer, not a third party. StraitsX also operates as both card issuer and processor, removing external processor overhead and delivering tighter control, faster SLAs, and a clear path to BIN ownership for clients.

  • Which APAC markets does StraitsX card issuance cover?

    StraitsX supports card program issuance across 10 APAC markets: Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Issued cards carry global acceptance at 175 million Visa merchants worldwide. Multi-BIN architecture means a single issuing relationship with StraitsX covers multiple markets, removing the need to source separate BIN sponsors market by market.

  • Do I need my own Visa license to launch a card program with StraitsX?

    No. StraitsX acts as the Visa BIN sponsor, handling all scheme licensing, compliance, and card network approvals on your behalf. This means you can launch a branded Visa debit card program in 12 to 14 weeks without undergoing the 2 to 3 year process of obtaining independent scheme approval. StraitsX provides a clear path for clients to migrate to their own BIN ownership over time if they choose.

  • What stablecoins can card programs settle in?

    Card programs on StraitsX can settle in XUSD, XSGD, or USDC. XUSD and XSGD are stablecoins issued by StraitsX, licensed as a Major Payment Institution under the Payment Services Act 2019, and carry zero handling fees when used within the StraitsX platform. Card programs can also support funding and settlement in USDC, a Digital Payment Token (DPT). JIT (Just-In-Time) funding is supported, so cards can be funded at the point of transaction rather than requiring pre-funding.

  • How does StraitsX handle Apple Pay and Google Pay provisioning?

    StraitsX completes full certification processes for Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay in-app provisioning, not shortcuts or workarounds. This compliance-led approach means StraitsX is among the few issuers in APAC maintaining fully certified digital wallet provisioning under stricter enforcement environments. Wearable tokenization for smart rings and watches is also supported. Clients inherit these capabilities without needing to build or certify provisioning independently.

    • Scale faster with stablecoin infrastructure that works.

    StraitsX is here to help you simplify settlements, reduce costs, and unlock new markets.
    Speak with us