Gobi Partners Invests in Transak for Asian Expansion

Gobi Partners has invested in Transak, a company that helps convert between regular currencies and crypto, as part of a strategic funding round announced on April 8, 2026. The deal, with an undisclosed amount, will fund expansion of stablecoin and digital asset payment systems across Asia. Transak, founded in 2019, operates in over 64 countries with more than 21 regulatory approvals, including in the US, UK, Eurozone, Australia, Canada, and India. It handles fiat-to-crypto conversions through a single API, managing KYC, AML, risk monitoring, and local payment integrations.

The investment comes as stablecoins see growing use for cross-border settlements and remittances. Transak has set up its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong and plans to build relationships with regional payment networks and banks, particularly in ASEAN markets. Singapore's regulatory clarity has helped stablecoin adoption there, while markets like Malaysia remain more cautious.

Transak's platform is integrated into over 600 applications worldwide, supporting access to more than 130 digital assets across 45 blockchains. It has onboarded over 10 million users through bank transfers, cards, local payments, and stablecoins. The company previously raised $20 million in a 2022 Series A and $16 million in a 2025 strategic round led by Tether and IDG Capital.

| Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | Project | Transak | | Sector/Category | Digital asset payments infrastructure | | Funding Round | Strategic | | Amount Raised | Undisclosed | | Valuation | Not disclosed | | Lead Investor | Gobi Partners | | Notable Participants | None specified beyond Gobi Partners | | Announcement Date | April 8, 2026 | | Disclosure Gaps | Amount and valuation not revealed; no other investors named |

FT Partners advised Transak on the transaction. Sami Start, Transak's co-founder and CEO, said the company started in 2019 to fix fiat-crypto conversions that "didn't work well," building infrastructure that handles compliance behind the scenes. With stablecoins gaining broader use, the Gobi investment will help push into Asian markets.

Compliance Is Now Expected, Not Optional

Gobi Partners, a Malaysia- and Hong Kong-based venture capital firm with over two decades in emerging markets, sees Transak as a way to connect digital assets with traditional finance. Managing Partner Jamaludin Bujang said compliance and risk management are now "operating requirements" rather than things that set companies apart. Hisham Ibrahim, Gobi's ASEAN managing director, added that this kind of infrastructure lets digital payment rails integrate securely with existing systems.

The round suggests stablecoins are becoming real financial infrastructure, especially in Asia's fragmented markets where cross-border payment efficiency matters. Transak plans to expand into the Middle East, Latin America, and broader APAC.

• Gobi Partners led the investment, focusing on regulated blockchain payment rails.
• The funds will support integrations with ASEAN payment networks and banks.
• Transak addresses infrastructure gaps for fintechs, with 600+ global integrations and 10 million users.
• Prior funding includes a $20 million 2022 Series A and $16 million 2025 round, showing sustained investor interest.
• Regulatory differences across Singapore, Malaysia, and other markets affect how quickly adoption spreads.

This investment comes as digital assets move beyond speculation, with institutions adopting stablecoin rails for real-world payments. Transak's regulatory approvals and scalable APIs position it to serve enterprises dealing with compliance requirements. The exact amount wasn't disclosed, but the partnership gives Transak access to Gobi's Asian networks, which could help grow its role in remittances and financial services.

Bottom line: Investors are still funding compliant digital asset infrastructure in Asia's emerging markets.