At the Manila Tech Summit 2025, FinTech Alliance.PH Founding Chairman Lito Villanueva announced a new “80×80” vision for the country’s digital finance sector. The goal is to have 80% of Filipino adults using digital transactional accounts and 80% of retail transactions conducted digitally by the year 2028. Villanueva, who is also an executive vice president at RCBC, introduced the FinTech Alliance 4T Framework as a guide for the industry. The framework consists of four pillars: ‘Tech for Good’, ‘Tech for Growth’, ‘Tech for All’, and ‘Tech for Trust’. The ‘Tech for Good’ pillar focuses on consumer protection, with Villanueva stating…

AI SME loan marketplace Kredit Hero has launched KreditLens, a free tool designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) assess their financial health and growth potential. The new platform provides businesses with a comprehensive, AI-powered analysis of their performance and creditworthiness. With KreditLens, business owners can upload their financial and bank statements to receive a personalised performance breakdown in minutes. The tool provides users with a “Kredit Score” (K-Score), which is an AI-driven credit health score based on the business’s revenue, expenses, and other financial data. The platform also offers actionable recommendations that help businesses strengthen their financial standing…

The Philippines is the fastest-growing digital economy and home to one of Southeast Asia’s most valuable fintech unicorns. Yet for investors and fintech founders looking to expand, this hidden gem is not top of mind. Lito Villanueva, Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer at ⁨RCBC⁩ and Chairman of Fintech Alliance.PH explains why you should be paying attention to the Philippines In this conversation, you’ll hear about: Why the Philippines is the next fintech hotspot Opportunities and gaps in Philippines’ fintech scene AI adoption in the Philippines

In an unprecedented legislative move for Asia, the Philippine Congress is reviewing a proposal to integrate cryptocurrency into the nation’s financial treasury, BitPinas reported. Introduced on 30 June 2025 by Congressman Miguel Luis Villafuerte, House Bill No. 421 seeks to mandate the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to build a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The legislation outlines a clear acquisition strategy, directing the central bank to procure 2,000 tokens each year over a five-year period, ultimately amassing a 10,000 Bitcoin portfolio. To ensure the security of these digital assets, the central bank would distribute the holdings across domestic cold storage facilities.…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued cease and desist orders against seven companies for operating online lending platforms (OLPs) without the necessary registration. In separate orders dated August 15, the SEC’s Financing and Lending Companies Department (FinLend) directed the operators of Cash Konek, Pesosuki, Yescom Lending-Quick Cash Loan, Peso101-Fast Loans PH, Peso Cow-Mabilis Pera Loan, Swiftloan: Loan App Philippines, and Pera Loan: Fast Cash PH to immediately stop any lending-related transactions. The orders cover the companies’ owners, operators, and agents. According to the SEC, the companies’ operation of unrecorded OLPs violates two key regulations. The first is SEC…

Cebuana Lhuillier and digital bank Maya have partnered to introduce ‘Easy Loan,’ a flexible 30-day credit line designed to provide Filipinos with access to funds of up to PHP 30,000. The product combines Cebuana Lhuillier’s nationwide branch network with Maya’s digital platform. ‘Easy Loan’ functions as a revolving, multipurpose credit line, giving users repeat access to funds for daily needs, bills, or unexpected expenses. The collaboration aims to bridge traditional microfinance with digital banking to improve access to financial services. “Through Easy Loan, we’re making it simpler and faster for Filipinos to access much-needed funds, whether for daily essentials or…

Across Southeast Asia, SMEs make up over 97% of all businesses and drive the majority of employment. Yet access to credit remains a challenge, particularly for smaller and non-collateral borrowers. For lenders, the opportunity is huge — but only if they can scale operations quickly, manage risk effectively, and deliver services efficiently. Esquire Financing Inc., one of the Philippines’ largest non-bank financial institutions, faced exactly this challenge. Serving over 27,000 entrepreneurs with flexible, non-collateral business loans, Esquire had the market demand but was held back by operational bottlenecks, slow loan approvals, and aging, siloed technology. Choosing a Partner for Scalable…

Global cross-border payments platform Wise has now fully integrated with the Philippines’ online payment systems, gaining access to the PESONet gateway. This follows its previous integration with the real-time transfer service InstaPay and direct settlement through the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) PhilPaSS Plus system. Wise is integrating with PESONet to remove limits and delays when its customers send large sums of money for purposes such as overseas tuition or remittances. Wise stated that its direct connections with local payment systems have reduced fund transfer costs, with fees for a PHP 50,000 transfer to a US dollar account dropping by…

The Philippines has been officially removed from the European Union’s (EU) list of countries considered to have a high risk for money laundering and terrorism financing. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has vowed to continue strengthening safeguards against financial crimes following the decision. The country has now made its third major exit from an international watchlist this year. The move was made official when the corresponding EU regulation took effect on August 5. It follows the Philippines’ removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list” in February and the United Kingdom’s high-risk list in March. The country…

E-commerce platform Shopee has announced the launch of a new accelerator programme designed to help high-potential Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) scale their online businesses. The company is expanding its existing Shopee Tatak Pinoy programme with this initiative, which it is launching as part of its 10th anniversary in the Philippines. The Shopee Tatak Pinoy: Sibol Accelerator Program (SAP) is a structured, six-month growth initiative that will provide selected sellers with personalised mentorship, access to Shopee experts, and targeted support. The pilot cohort, which begins in the fourth quarter of 2025, will be by invitation only and will…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued an advisory warning the public against investing in GAINEXPRESS, an entity soliciting investments online under the direction of an individual named Geronimo Servande. The commission has identified the operation as an unauthorised investment scheme. According to the SEC, GAINEXPRESS offers several investment plans through online platforms, promising returns as high as 8% daily profit or up to 270% in 24 days, with minimum investments as low as PHP 500. The SEC has classified these plans as investment contracts, which are a form of security. Companies must register these securities with the commission…

GCash has officially launched its new ‘Tap to Pay’ feature at a “GCash Spotlight” event in Taguig City. The new service allows users to complete transactions by tapping their device or card, without the need for a signature or PIN. The feature utilises near-field communication (NFC) technology, which allows users to pay at Mastercard-enabled terminals. GCash’s partnerships with Alipay+ and Mastercard enable this capability both in the Philippines and overseas. Ferdie Perez, Product Innovation Head at GCash operator G-Xchange Inc., said the Tap to Pay feature aims to provide users with more convenient payment options. The programme featured interactive segments…

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a statement to clarify the enforcement of its new Rules on Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASP Rules), which took effect on 5 July 2025. The advisory reiterates that the rules apply to all entities, both local and foreign, that offer crypto-asset services to people in the Philippines. The SEC clarified that the CASP Rules do not prohibit cryptocurrency trading or investment. Instead, the regulations require platforms to obtain the appropriate registration and licences before offering their services in the country. According to the commission, these rules are to protect investors, uphold…

While the Philippines has made progress in financial inclusion, a significant portion of the population remains underserved. According to the World Bank’s 2025 Global Findex, only 50.2% of Filipino adults had a financial account in 2024. Fintech AI company Trusting Social is addressing this gap by providing alternative credit scoring to help lenders reach the country’s underbanked population. The Vietnam-based company utilises an AI-driven platform that analyses masked, anonymised, and aggregated telco data to assess an individual’s creditworthiness. Filipinos who lack a formal banking history, including those in remote provinces, can now access formal credit. Lenders are able to offer…

Maya has announced it will comply with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) directive to remove in-app links that connect users to online gambling applications. The move follows a similar announcement from GCash, as the central bank takes action to delink payment apps from gaming websites. In an advisory, Maya stated that it will disable access to gaming sites and apps through the “Games feature” on its app, effective from 8 PM on Saturday, August 16. Until that deadline, customers can withdraw any remaining funds from their linked gaming accounts back to their Maya Wallet using the in-app Games feature.…

GCash has announced it will fully comply with a new Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) directive mandating the suspension of in-app access to gaming services. The e-wallet operator will implement the necessary changes within 48 hours. It is in line with BSP Memorandum No. M-2025-029, which applies to all BSP-supervised institutions. The primary change for users will be the suspension of access to gaming platforms through GLife. GLife is a marketplace feature within the GCash app. This will take effect after 8 PM on Saturday, August 16. GCash has advised users on how to manage their funds in light of…

The Philippine crypto platform Coins.ph has officially integrated Polkadot Asset Hub to enable faster and more cost-effective stablecoin transfers for its users. The move allows users to send, receive, and transfer stablecoins such as USDT and USDC with lower fees and quicker transaction times compared to traditional blockchain networks. Coins.ph is integrating the Polkadot Asset Hub to improve transaction efficiency and provide users with access to the growing Polkadot Web3 ecosystem. The hub is a specialised blockchain that its creators built specifically for stablecoins and other fungible assets. “At Coins.ph, we’re committed to making crypto more practical for everyday use,”…

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered e-wallets, payment applications, and other supervised financial institutions to remove all in-app links and icons that redirect to online gambling platforms. Financial companies have 48 hours to comply with the new directive, which BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan announced during a Senate hearing today, August 14. The move comes amid growing concerns over the social costs of online gambling and as the Senate begins deliberations on several bills that propose to either ban or more strictly regulate the industry. The integration of online gambling into popular e-wallets has facilitated its rapid growth. In…

Digital bank Maya and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have partnered to launch the “Championing the Pinoy Athlete” programme, an initiative designed to modernise and support the local sports community. The collaboration aims to digitalise several of the PSC’s core processes. A key feature of the partnership is the automation of allowance disbursements to athletes and coaches through Maya’s platform. The programme will also establish a transparent digital system for National Sports Associations that aims to improve governance and accountability within the sports community. Beyond operational changes, the initiative will promote financial wellness for athletes, coaches, and PSC employees. Maya…

The Palawan Group of Companies recently marked its 40th anniversary with a two-day event in Quezon City to honour its key business partners, suppliers, and stakeholders. During the celebration, the company announced the rebranding of its business-to-business (B2B) arm and unveiled several upcoming financial service innovations. The company’s B2B unit has been officially rebranded as Palawan for Business. Looking ahead, President and CEO Karlo M. Castro introduced new initiatives for the company’s next phase of transformation. “We are proud to introduce Pera Padala Abroad, Project Voyager, and VISA Direct, solutions designed to integrate the digital and physical, and respond to…