Philippines

Crypto / Digital Assets

Philippine Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Establish National Bitcoin Reserve

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 25/08/2025

A new bill directs the BSP to acquire 10,000 Bitcoin over five years and hold it for two decades to diversify national assets.

Securities / Derivatives

PSE Amends Business Continuity Rules for Market, Brokers

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 21/08/2025

The PSE has changed its market halt trigger to a value-based metric and is requiring all brokers to have "correspondent arrangements" in place.

AML / KYC

BSP Pledges Stronger Financial Crime Safeguards

By Nithya Subramanian | 21/08/2025

The Philippines’ exit from global money laundering watchlists is expected to lower remittance costs, ease banking ties abroad, and boost investor confidence in its financial system.

ESG / Sustainability

Philippines to Tighten Independent Director Rules for Listed Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/08/2025

The SEC plans new rules to cap independent director terms and ensure tenure, aiming to enhance corporate governance.

Market Infrastructure

BSP Issues Rules to Keep Markets Open During Holidays

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/08/2025

The new rules require payment systems, FX trading and clearing to continue on local holidays, with exceptions only for nationwide shutdowns.

Securities / Derivatives

Philippine SEC Proposes New Rules to Streamline Securities Exemptions

By Nithya Subramanian | 19/08/2025

The SEC has drafted guidelines to clarify rules for exempt transactions, introducing a no-fee notice system to improve ease of doing business.

Capital / Liquidity

Philippines Suspends Mount Peak Securities Over Capital Violations

By Editors | 18/08/2025

The brokerage is the second to be suspended this year, with CMIC citing grave violations of securities laws and imposing strict trading prohibitions.

Fintech / Regtech

BSP Orders Removal of Gambling Links from Banking Apps

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 15/08/2025

The BSP has given financial institutions 48 hours to remove access to gambling sites from their mobile apps.

ESG / Sustainability

SEC Philippines, UNICEF Urge PLCs to Embed Children’s Rights in Sustainability Plans

By Nithya Subramanian | 14/08/2025

A joint study found children’s rights largely missing from the sustainability reports of over 80 listed Philippine firms, urging stronger integration into governance and risk disclosures.