Interview: Gemini APAC Head Saad Ahmed Discusses Expansion into Asia and Navigating Regulatory Challenges

cryptonews.com:

Jai serves as the Asia Desk Editor for Cryptonews.com, where he leads a diverse team of international reporters. Jai has over five years of experience covering the web3 industry.

In an exclusive chat with Cryptonews.com at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, Saad Ahmed, Gemini’s Head of APAC, discussed the cryptocurrency exchange’s expansion strategies in the region, the unique challenges of operating in Asia, and Gemini’s plans for the future. As one of the leading exchanges globally, Ahmed highlighted the importance of tailoring experiences to local markets while navigating diverse regulatory environments.

Singapore has long been central to Gemini’s strategy in Asia. “Singapore is kind of like our APAC home,” said Ahmed. Gemini launched its Singapore office in 2020, and the city-state has since become the exchange’s main base of operations in the region. Ahmed explained that Gemini’s commitment to Singapore stems from the regulatory clarity and supportive ecosystem that the country offers.

“There’s regulatory clarity here. You know what the rules are, and it’s very clear in terms of how to operate,” he noted. This environment makes Singapore an attractive base for expanding Gemini’s services across Asia. Singapore remains as one of the major hubs for builders and innovators in Web3. According to Ahmed, this kind of energy reflects the broader growth potential in the region.

Ahmed stressed that one of Gemini’s key strategies for APAC is delivering localized experiences to users. “We’re focused on building localized experiences for users,” Ahmed explained. This involves developing products and services tailored specifically for the region, such as localized onboarding processes for customers and institutions, and easier, frictionless