THIS ROUND'S ON BITCOIN

A Singaporean watering hole develops a devoted following among crypto enthusiasts

- Joanna Ossinger

Maison Ikkoku is known for a lot of things. The 80-seat restaurant and bar in the historic Kampong Glam neighborhood has a picturesque patio with views of the nearby Sultan Mosque, Singapore’s largest. The menu lists a Japan Kumamoto Emperor A5 wagyu steak with potatoes, edamame, and miso, starting at S$208 ($150). It also includes a roster of cocktails, such as the S$28 La Vie en Rose with aged sake, French rosé, and edible gold glitter.

And then there’s the crypto.

A sign on the door advertises that payment is accepted in Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, and Binance Coin. You won’t find a menu with prices listed in cryptocurrencies—Leong says that’s because of regulations. Crypto prices are also so volatile, the conversion could change daily.

But Chief Executive Officer Ethan Leslie Leong, a 30-plus-year veteran of the food and beverage business, says crypto has been a serious boost. He became interested in it a few years ago and saw an opportunity to engage the burgeoning community. Now that Covid-19 restrictions are lifting, get-togethers have attracted employees of centralized exchanges, individual traders, and hedge fund managers, Leong says.