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…

Aiming to rebuild community trust and foster stronger ties with the public sector, the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP) has initiated a major organisational shift for 2026, as reported by BitPinas. The advocacy group’s strategic direction will now be steered by Luis Buenaventura, who takes over the presidency from Donald Lim. Lim, who guided the Blockchain Council Philippines through its formative years, will remain on the board and transition into the role of Chairman. Emphasising the need for an open operational approach, the incoming President outlined his immediate priorities. He indicated that the public should expect numerous structural changes…

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) has entered into a strategic partnership with fintech cash lending firm JuanHand to combat the rising threat of cybercrime in the digital lending sector. The collaboration focuses on protecting Filipino consumers from scammers and educating the public on how to identify and avoid predatory lenders. The agreement outlines several key initiatives designed to improve cybersecurity awareness. These include information sharing between the two organisations, specialised training programmes, and public workshops regarding the evolving nature of cyber threats. The primary objective is to equip borrowers with the necessary knowledge and tools to report suspicious…

The province of Davao Oriental has officially adopted the Paleng-QR Ph Plus programme, an initiative designed to promote cashless transactions among markets, local vendors, and the transport sector. The launch ceremony took place at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court in Mati City. It was attended by local officials and representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The system utilises QR codes to provide a safer and more efficient payment method for residents. BSP Mindanao Regional Director Judith Dolot emphasised that the adoption of digital payment systems is essential for economic adaptability. “The primary intention of the Paleng-QR Ph Plus…

The Philippines Central Bank (BSP) is preparing to draw up a shortlist of contenders for four new digital banking licences, a development expected to introduce fresh competition to the country’s financial sector. BSP Deputy Governor Lyn Javier, who heads the department regulating banks, confirmed that the central bank has commenced its review of applications. Javier indicated that the regulator aims to select candidates for recommendation to the Monetary Board within the first quarter of the year. “We have to look at them and see the most promising business models that can actually provide value and greater services to the Philippines,”…

Digital transformation consultancy Kollab has invested US$2 million in a Series A funding round for Evolut10n Labs, Inc., operating as PayRex, to support the fintech startup’s expansion in the Philippines. Launched in late 2023, PayRex provides end-to-end online payment solutions, including PCI DSS-compliant processing for credit and debit cards, as well as integrations with local e-wallets like GCash and Maya. Jaime Hing and Edwin Lacierda co-founded the company, bringing experience from their previous role as PayMongo co-founders. PayRex will use the new capital to accelerate the development of upcoming products and services. Additionally, PayRex aims to expand its merchant base…

The Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a unified hotline number designed to centralise public inquiries and streamline communication with the corporate sector. Officially rolled out on 23 January, the new hotline 1-4732, or 1-4SEC, serves as the primary channel for concerns related to company registration, reportorial requirements, and general requests. The SEC is phasing out the old network of multiple direct lines to establish a single entry point. SEC Chairperson Francis Lim stated that the move addresses feedback from the business community regarding accessibility. “One of the clear messages we’re getting from the business sector is the…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has clarified that Apple Pay is free to enter the Philippine market at any time, having determined that the service does not require specific regulatory registration. The central bank has previously stated that Apple Pay is classified as a technology service provider rather than an Operator of Payment System (OPS). This distinction means the service does not hold user funds or maintain direct contracts with merchants, but instead processes payment credentials. Consequently, it falls outside the registration requirements mandated for standard payment operators. BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan confirmed the regulator’s stance, stating,…

Fraud in the Asia Pacific is growing at an explosive pace and scale, forcing financial institutions to rethink where and how they detect risk. This threat has evolved from a consumer issue into a trillion-dollar cybercrime economy that legacy controls can no longer withstand. Regulators are responding with stronger action, with Singapore introducing the Scam Bill and Malaysia rolling out a National Fraud Portal to drive earlier intervention. As criminals increasingly exploit the earliest stages of the customer journey, financial institutions now need smarter ways to detect high-risk users before onboarding even begins. Getting a snapshot of current fraud trends…

UnionBank of the Philippines has finalised the consolidation of its trust subsidiary with ATRAM Trust Corporation (ATC). The merger between ATC and UnionBank Investment Management and Trust Corporation (UBIMTC) officially took effect on 9 January 2026, following approvals from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under the agreement, ATC serves as the surviving entity, assuming all investment management and fiduciary responsibilities previously held by UnionBank’s trust arm. The transaction aligns with UnionBank’s strategy to leverage partnerships for scaling specialised financial services while maintaining its focus on digital banking and platform-driven growth. By integrating with ATC,…

GCash and Ateneo de Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School have officially launched a partnership to introduce digital payment solutions for the school community. The parties formalised their collaboration on Thursday, 22 January 2026, signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Office of the School President in Iloilo City. This move makes Ateneo de Iloilo the third Ateneo campus in the Philippines to adopt GCash services, following similar implementations in Naga and Davao. The primary feature of this partnership allows parents and guardians to pay tuition and other school fees directly through the GCash app. This aims to provide…

Ayala Corp. has applied for regulatory approval to establish a bond shelf registration of up to PHP 30 billion. The move aims to secure funding flexibility for future peso-denominated debt issuances over the next five years. In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Thursday, Ayala confirmed that its board of directors had approved the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The proposed shelf registration covers potential issuances of Philippine peso-denominated bonds, which are intended to be offered through general public offerings. The mechanism allows the company to undertake bond issuances “on an efficient and timely basis” throughout…

Digital lending platform Cashalo has integrated with LenderLink, a Philippine real-time credit data network, in a move designed to refine credit decisioning and expand access to financing for underserved borrowers. The partnership allows Cashalo to access LenderLink’s ecosystem of borrower insights and consent-based checks. By utilising this data, the company aims to plug critical information gaps. These gaps often prevent individuals with limited credit histories from securing loans. In return, Cashalo will contribute its own verified borrower data to the network. This contribution assists other participating lenders in making more informed decisions. Gabby Ayala, President of Paloo (trading as Cashalo),…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a new exemption for micro enterprises, removing the requirement to submit audited financial statements (AFS) as part of their annual reporting. Under Memorandum Circular No. 4, Series of 2026, issued on 20 January, both stock and non-stock corporations with total assets or liabilities not exceeding PHP 3 million are now exempt from the mandatory audit. Previously set at PHP 600,000, the new limit represents a substantial increase in the exemption threshold. SEC Chairperson Francis Lim stated that the reform aims to make compliance more proportionate for smaller businesses. “This reform recognises the…

Zepz, the parent company of global payment brands WorldRemit and Sendwave, has announced the acquisition of Pomelo International, Inc. This move marks a significant step in the group’s strategy to expand beyond simple remittances and offer broader financial services such as cards, lending, and credit to cross-border communities. Pomelo, a San Francisco-based fintech with a strong presence in the Philippines, offers a credit card specifically designed for money transfers. The product allows users to send remittances without incurring cash advance fees or high interest rates typically associated with credit-based transfers, while also helping them build a credit history. Mark Lenhard,…

We’ve moved from Cash to Cards, and Cards to QR. Is your face the next wallet? Or will “Tap to Pay” on smartphones dominate the future of payments in Asia? Fintech News Network Chief Editor Vincent Fong sits down with Sam Su, CMO of SUNMI, to debate the future of payment hardware. While “Face Pay” has seen massive adoption in China, Southeast Asia is still a battleground between QR codes and the rapidly rising “SoftPOS” (Tap to Pay) technology. In the same interview Sam also revealed to us the future direction of SUNMI.