Coins.ph has reported a 327% increase in monthly spot trading, with volumes reaching US$500 million (approximately PHP 29.4 billion) back in November 2025. This figure represents a nearly fourfold rise compared to the US$117 million recorded during the same period in 2024. The platform recently recorded a daily spot trading peak of US$50 million. Company leadership attributes this growth to the increasing use of stablecoins like USDT and USDC as financial infrastructure for cross-border payments. In the Philippines, where remittances totalled US$38.3 billion at the end of 2024, stablecoins are becoming a preferred method for corporate payouts and supplier disbursements…

Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Mastercard have formalised a partnership to accelerate the implementation of tokenised digital wallet payments in the Philippines. This collaboration aims to update PNB’s payment infrastructure to improve transaction security and consumer convenience. The technology, known as tokenisation, replaces a customer’s actual 16-digit card number with a unique digital token for each transaction. This process reduces the exposure of sensitive card details, lowering the risk of fraud in both online and in-store settings. Furthermore, tokenisation supports biometric authentication and assigns device-specific account numbers, providing multiple layers of security without disrupting the user experience. PNB President and…

Globe Telecom Inc. has received regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise up to PHP 25 billion through the sale of preferred shares. The offer consists of a PHP 15 billion base amount, representing 7.5 million shares. It also includes an additional PHP 10 billion set aside for an oversubscription option of five million shares. The company describes the shares as cumulative, non-voting, and non-convertible redeemable perpetual preferred shares. Globe plans to release the offer in two tranches. The first dividend rates set at 6.1179% per annum for Series A. The other will be at 6.7631%…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Philippine Payments Management, Inc. (PPMI) are set to enforce new rules on how digital banks and e-wallets move their money, as reported by YugaTech. These regulations mandate that digital banks and e-wallets utilise standardised payment rails, such as InstaPay and PESONet, rather than proprietary “shortcut” integrations. A primary result of these changes is the deactivation of linked bank account features. For instance, GoTyme Bank permanently disabled deposits via linked accounts on 1 February 2026, ending a feature that allowed direct, in-app cash-ins from local banks like BPI. Similarly, BPI announced that linked…

The Google Play Store in the Philippines no longer hosts the main Binance mobile application following recent regulatory actions, as reported first by BitPinas. A search for Binance on the app now only displays results for local competitors or region-specific versions of the app intended for other countries, such as Thailand or Turkey. This removal aligns with escalating enforcement measures by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). In 2024, the SEC formally requested that both Google and Apple remove the Binance app from their Philippine marketplaces, citing the exchange’s lack of a necessary license…

SB Finance, an affiliate of Security Bank Corporation, has partnered with global insurtech bolttech and MAAGAP Insurance to introduce a bundled loss-of-employment protection feature for motorcycle loan customers in the Philippines. This initiative strengthens the MotorsikLOAN programme by offering riders financial stability during unexpected life challenges. MAAGAP Insurance is currently the only insurer in the country authorised by the Insurance Commission to provide insurance for involuntary loss of employment due to just and lawful causes. Under this collaboration, SB Finance will bundle the protection with all motorcycle loans issued through its retail network, while bolttech will manage distribution and claims…

Luis Buenaventura has announced that February 2026 will be his final month as the Head of GCrypto, the cryptocurrency division of the Philippine fintech giant GCash, BitPinas reported. Buenaventura confirmed his departure on Thursday, 12 February 2026, concluding a tenure focused on integrating crypto trading into the country’s most popular mobile wallet. Since joining GCash in late 2023, Buenaventura has overseen significant growth for the platform. Under his leadership, user volume increased approximately tenfold. He also established key partnerships with industry leaders, including Tether, Circle, the Ronin gaming chain, and the Kaia blockchain. Beyond technical integration, his team focused on…

The US$2.5 trillion SME credit gap in the Asia Pacific remains a significant challenge for traditional banks. Joe Udomdejwatana of Axe Finance joins us to discuss how the Axe Credit Portal (ACP) is transforming lending infrastructure. Key Highlights Composable architecture avoids high-risk “rip and replace” projects. Tools like Axe Studio and Axe BPM empower compliance officers to manage regulatory shifts. Predictive scoring with explainability models replaces “black box” AI with a transparent “glass box” approach. Lending 3.0 focuses on “intelligent adaptability” to process data in real time.

The global rate of identity fraud decreased in 2025 from the previous year’s high, but the threats have become more severe. Fraud isn’t retreating, it’s maturing. The sloppy, low-effort attacks that thrived in 2024’s era of widely available tools are being replaced by fewer but sharper operations: multi-step, coordinated, and built to bypass basic verification. Sumsub, a global verification and fraud prevention firm, have identified this Sophistication Shift, signalling that the next stage of identity fraud won’t be measured by volume alone. Why attackers are leveling up Behind the numbers is a change in criminal behavior. When simple tactics stop…

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has introduced a digital banking feature that allows users to hold U.S. dollars and convert them to Philippine pesos in real time. Available on the RCBC Pulz app, this service provides customers with the flexibility to manage foreign currency based on preferred timing and exchange rates. Developed in partnership with U.S.-based payments provider Meridian, the feature specifically supports Filipinos, such as freelancers and virtual assistants who receive overseas funds from the United States. This addition builds upon the U.S. Virtual Account feature introduced last year, which enables users to receive international transfers directly through the…

Open Stable Network (OSN), a global on-chain foreign exchange (FX) settlement infrastructure provider, has activated a new payment corridor between the Philippines and the UAE. This infrastructure provides businesses with enterprise-grade access to fiat-to-stablecoin FX settlements across emerging and major financial markets. OSN claims that this new corridor offers transaction fees up to 50% lower than those found on leading payment platforms. The framework eliminates the high costs and delays typical of legacy correspondent banking. It facilitates bi-directional fund flows between stablecoins and fiat currencies like the USD, AED, EUR, and PHP. Businesses can bypass the latency and expenses associated…

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to integrate the Link.BizPortal as the department’s official electronic payment facility. Signed by Labour Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma and LANDBANK President Lynette V. Ortiz, the partnership aims to streamline public transactions in line with national directives to expand digital government services. DOLE’s central and regional offices can now collect fees online through this new integration. The system enables clients in the Philippines and abroad to settle transactions without visiting physical offices. Users can pay assessed fees through various…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has penalised Global Dominion Financing, Inc. for using unfair and abusive debt collection methods. In an order dated 28 January 2026, the SEC Financing and Lending Companies Department (FLCD) found the firm in violation of Memorandum Circular No. 18 and the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act (FCPA). The regulator ordered the company to pay an administrative fine of PHP 50,000. The commission warned Global Dominion that repeating such acts would result in more severe consequences. This includes possible higher monetary penalties or the loss of its certificate of authority. The case originated…

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has launched cardless QR withdrawals for GCash users across its entire ATM network in the Philippines. RCBC intends to increase cash-out options for mobile wallet users by linking digital platforms with physical banking infrastructure. The service allows fully verified GCash users to withdraw funds without a physical ATM card for a fee of PHP 18.00. To use the feature, customers generate a “Cash Out” QR code within the GCash app. Then, users need to scan it at any of the bank’s ATMs. While the capability was initially limited to select locations in Metro Manila and…

Digital banks in the Philippines are facing a pivotal year in 2026 as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) prepares to introduce new players into the market, Business World reported. While Filipinos have enjoyed savings rates exceeding 3% (compared to the traditional bank average of 1.8%), this competition has yet to yield widespread profitability. As of late 2025, only Maya Bank and Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) were reported to be net profitable. The regulator intends to issue up to four new digital banking licences by March 2026, aiming to bridge gaps in products that incumbents have not yet addressed. Melchor…

Globe subsidiary Mynt, the operator of GCash, is evaluating various capital-raising options, including a potential initial public offering (IPO). While no official timeline has been established, the company and its shareholders remain open to different capital solutions. Globe Chief Finance Officer Juan Carlo Puno stated: “Mynt and its shareholders remain open to various capital solutions, including an IPO for Mynt. However, there is still no official decision that has been made regarding the timing”. The company is currently prioritising business growth amid evolving macroeconomic and regulatory conditions. Mynt’s attributable equity earnings to Globe rose 64% year-on-year in 2025, reaching PHP…

Asia-Pacific’s fintech market is the most dynamic and fragmented in the world. While legacy banks struggle to keep up with shifting regulations and local payment rails, one European powerhouse is making a massive bet on the region. Gabriel, Stefanak, Business Development Head, Decta, breaks down why the current “fragmented” vendor stack is a ticking time bomb for financial institutions and how DECTA’s “Full-Stack” model, owning everything from issuing to acquiring, is their ultimate moat for entering APAC.

Security Bank Corporation has joined forces with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), MUFG Bank, and Thailand’s Krungsri to strengthen cross-border collaboration for startups. The partners formalised the relationship through a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Such an agreement aims to expand market access and encourage innovation-led growth across the Philippines and neighbouring economies. The collaboration integrates the distinct strengths of its signatories to support the regional ecosystem. Security Bank provides deep local corporate relationships, while MUFG offers an extensive network across Japan and Southeast Asia. Krungsri contributes its regional business-matching expertise, and the DTI anchors the initiative through its…

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Leyte is modernising its scholarship distribution through a partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines. This initiative shifts the disbursement of the Training Support Fund from manual checks to automated teller machines (ATMs) and e-wallet systems. TESDA-Leyte Director Enrico Banario noted that this collaboration marks a significant move away from manual transactions. He stated, “This is an innovation in scholarship management as we move away from manual transactions through our collaboration with Land Bank Tacloban”. The shift aims to remove risks associated with middlemen by facilitating direct fund transfers to…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to introduce stricter regulations for lending companies to combat predatory practices. SEC Chair Francis Lim announced plans to increase the minimum capital requirement for these firms by at least tenfold and launch a formal accreditation system for collection agents. Currently, the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007 sets the minimum paid-in capital at PHP 1 million. Lim noted that this low entry barrier has led to a proliferation of small-scale lenders charging high interest rates. “It’s because capitalisation is PHP 1 million only. Then their effective interest rate was 15% a month.…