Skyro has partnered with insurtech firm Qoala to offer purchase protection at checkout. Customers can now add insurance protection to their purchases as they apply for instalment loans, following a recently formalised memorandum of agreement between the two firms. The integration provides Skyro users with three distinct options: Gadget Protection, Merchandise Protection, and an Extended Warranty. These plans cover accidental or liquid damage for devices and household appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines. Furthermore, the extended warranty offers protection that continues after the initial manufacturer’s warranty period ends. Yernar Ashimov, Skyro’s Head of Key Accounts, explained that the partnership…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued Circular No. 1219, Series of 2025, to streamline the prudential regulatory guidelines for Islamic banking. These amendments aim to encourage broader participation from conventional banks across all categories, allowing them to establish Islamic Banking Units (IBUs) more easily. Under the revised rules, conventional banks that meet the capitalisation requirements of their specific banking category are eligible to operate an IBU. Crucially, the BSP has removed the requirement for IBUs to maintain a separate capital pool, instead applying the parent bank’s existing capital framework. This shift reduces the financial barriers for institutions entering…

Philippine payment startup PayRex has appointed Red Jaques Bernaldez as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Bernaldez joins the fintech firm following his tenure as Head of Technology at ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Philippines). In a statement regarding his new role, Bernaldez expressed his intent to help modernise the digital payment landscape in the country. Bernaldez expressed readiness for his new role, noting that the company will scale its solutions and support even more local merchants with secure, seamless e-payments. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company, coinciding with the securing of US$2 million in Series…

Gaming isn’t just a hobby; it’s a global infrastructure challenge. In this episode Vincent Fong (Chief Editor, Fintech News Network) explores the intersection of gaming and fintech with Livia Ang (Global Business Director, NetEase Games) and Juan Pablo Ortega (CEO & Co-Founder, Yuno). We discuss how NetEase Games, the powerhouse behind global hits like Marvel Rivals, Eggy Party, and LifeAfter navigates the complexities of international expansion where “standard” payment stacks are no longer enough. Key Discussion Points: The Fragmentation Crisis: Managing 450+ providers through a single API. The D2C Economic Trap: Why saving 30% on app store fees is a…

MYEG Philippines Inc. has renewed its strategic partnership with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to continue providing digital payment solutions for economic zone locators. The agreement was formalised during a signing ceremony on 28 January involving MYEG Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ann Margaret Saldaña and PEZA Director General Tereso Panga. Under the renewed agreement, PEZA locators will retain access to a wide network of payment channels, which reportedly includes over 100,000 options nationwide. The system allows businesses to settle fees via major e-wallets such as GCash, Shopee Pay, Palawan Pay, Grab Pay, and Maya. It also supports online bank…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has initiated discussions with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to provide satellite internet connections to various parts of the country. This strategic move is intended to support the central bank’s push for wider adoption of digital payments and financial literacy in remote communities. Speaking at a briefing in Dumaguete City on Monday, BSP Deputy Governor Berna Puyat confirmed she is coordinating with DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda regarding the provision. “This will improve connectivity in underserved areas,” she noted. The proposal originally began in 2025, when Puyat requested assistance to improve…

The Landbank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have expanded their partnership to digitalise payment systems and streamline procurement processes within the tourism sector. In a signing ceremony held in January 2026, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina C. Frasco formalised two agreements aimed at improving operational efficiency and transparency. Under the new agreement, the DOT will adopt the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal. This digital payment channel will allow tourism-related establishments and businesses to pay for accreditation, regulatory fees, penalties, and bidding documents online. The system is designed to reduce the…

Coins.ph has announced its integration into the Circle Payments Network (CPN) to facilitate more efficient cross-border payments into the Philippines. The platform has assumed a new role as a beneficiary financial institution within the network. Through this position, it aims to streamline fund settlements into Philippine Pesos (PHP) for institutions, enterprises, and individual users. Member institutions of the CPN can now route funds directly to Coins.ph through this integration. The platform then distributes these payouts across its extensive local network, which includes over 120 banks and e-wallets. The move is designed to reduce the friction often associated with traditional international…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is exploring the use of a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) to settle government securities. The central bank is currently developing a strategic roadmap and a second proof of concept to support this initiative. BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan confirmed that the next phase will align with the Bureau of the Treasury’s recent advancements. “What we are thinking of doing next is to focus on wholesale CBDC settling government bonds, because the Bureau of the Treasury moved ahead with their pilot of the tokenised treasury bonds,” Tangonan said. He noted that the treasury’s…

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) is planning to offer fixed-rate peso-denominated bonds to support its growth and sustainable financing initiatives. The bank will draw the proposed issuance from its PHP 200 billion bond and commercial paper programme. The Yuchengco-led lender intends to use the proceeds to bolster asset growth, refinance maturing liabilities, and fund general corporate requirements. The bank intends to allocate funds toward financing or refinancing new or existing sustainable projects. RCBC emphasised that these projects must fall under the definitions of its Sustainable Finance Framework. The bank will also soon finalise specific terms of the offering, such as…

Security Bank Corp. has entered into a strategic partnership with the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) to provide priority banking services to foreign and returning Filipino retirees. The collaboration aims to streamline financial requirements for those applying for the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV). Under the agreement, SRRV applicants can open Security Bank accounts as part of their visa application process. The bank offers these clients an exclusive Time Deposit rate, along with dedicated onboarding support and relationship management services. To facilitate these services, the bank has designated its Reposo-J.P. Rizal Branch in Makati City as the central hub for SRRV…

GoTyme Bank Corp., a joint venture between the Gokongwei group and TymeBank South Africa, is exploring an initial public offering (IPO) within the next three to four years. However, the digital lender is prioritising significant business expansion before hitting the public markets. GoTyme President and CEO Nathaniel Clarke indicated a preference for a US listing, citing the need for scale to attract global investors. “Because we’re multi-country, it makes more sense to list in New York, in Nasdaq, or in any stock exchange,” Clarke explained. He observed that analysts and investors do not heavily cover the Philippine market. Consequently, he…

Metrobank has announced a reduction in its InstaPay transfer fees, implementing a new flat rate of PHP 8 per transaction effective 1 February 2026. This adjustment marks a shift from the bank’s previous pricing structure as it competes in the digital banking landscape. Previously, the standard charge for an InstaPay transfer was PHP 25. Over the past year, the bank has offered a temporary waiver for transactions valued at PHP 1,000 and below. Metrobank will now charge a uniform PHP 8 fee for all InstaPay transfers. This single rate applies to every transaction, irrespective of the value. Users making small…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is set to roll out an interoperable auto-debit facility for bill payments this year, expanding the system beyond current same-bank restrictions. Speaking at the 2026 Annual Reception for the Banking Community, BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan confirmed that the initiative follows a successful pilot conducted in 2025. “We already piloted it last year. We’re getting ready to launch this year,” Tangonan stated. The new facility aims to resolve a long-standing limitation in the Philippines, where auto-debit arrangements typically require the payer and the biller to hold accounts within the same bank. Tangonan explained the…

You may be most familiar with their ATMs across international airports but Euronet is much more. They move US$ 200 Billion anually and provide connectivity for over 4 billion bank accounts around the world. In this episode, Fintech News Network Chief Editor Vincent Fong sits down with Himanshu, MD of APAC at Euronet, to uncover the massive infrastructure powering the region’s fintech revolution. From national payment switches to traditional and digital banks, Euronet provides the plumbing that enables seamless transfers both domestically and cross-border. We dive deep into Euronet’s US$249M acquisition of CoreCard the engine behind the Apple Card’s seamless…

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) have entered into a partnership to integrate space science and technology into the country’s economic and financial analysis. The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on 27 January 2026 by PhilSA Director General Gay Jane P. Perez and BSP Assistant Governor Pia Bernadette R. Tayag. This initiative aims to support the BSP’s mandate of maintaining monetary and financial stability by utilising space-derived data and geospatial tools. The agencies will use these technologies to assess climate risks, evaluate the impact of disasters, and monitor socio-economic…

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of criminal charges against Opsytech Corp. and its executives for illegally soliciting investments from the public. This action follows a complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the company’s unauthorised financial activities. In a resolution dated November 21, 2025, state prosecutors found sufficient evidence to charge Opsytech President Carl F. Chao for violations of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The DOJ also implicated company agents Jeffrey Lopez Perez and Brent Bendaña for their involvement in the scheme. The case…

Malaysian payment gateway Paydibs has announced a strategic partnership with global payment service provider AltPayNet to improve financial connectivity between Malaysia and the Philippines. The collaboration aims to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions, initially focusing on enabling Filipinos residing in Malaysia to pay their Social Security System (SSS) contributions directly through local channels. Under this agreement, AltPayNet will leverage Paydibs’ locally licensed payment infrastructure to route transactions securely. This integration forms a framework that expands access to financial services for the region. It allows overseas Filipinos to pay their social security obligations, akin to Malaysia’s EPF, using compliant and local payment…

Visa and GCash have announced a strategic partnership to facilitate easier cross-border money transfers for Filipinos. The collaboration enables the use of Visa Direct, allowing individuals and businesses worldwide to send funds directly to GCash wallets in near real-time. This integration means that overseas banks and remittance platforms using Visa’s rail can now offer GCash as a direct payout destination. Previously, funds often had to pass through bank accounts or specific remittance partners; this development aims to lower the barrier for more international providers to support wallet-based transfers to the Philippines. Additionally, the partnership introduces a feature for overseas Filipinos…

QBE Automotive Protection has initiated a collaboration in the Philippines with Malayan Insurance, working through its local partner Paramount Life & General Insurance Corporation, to enhance coverage for Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Auto Loan Plus customers. The partnership integrates QBE’s Extended Warranty into Malayan’s motor insurance offering. This solution extends vehicle protection to a maximum of five years or 150,000 km, potentially adding up to two years of coverage beyond the standard manufacturer’s warranty. While standard motor insurance typically covers accidents and theft, the Extended Warranty focuses on protecting vital internal components. The warranty covers critical components such as…