Philippines

Payments & Settlements

Bank Indonesia Joins Nexus Project to Strengthen Cross-Border Payments

By Nithya Subramanian | 04/02/2026

Joining the BIS-led initiative will help lower costs, improve speed and expand access to international transfers by linking domestic instant payment systems across borders.

Cryptocurrency

Philippines Bans Banks From Dealing with Unregistered Crypto Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/02/2026

New rules prohibit dealings with unlicensed virtual asset service providers and restrict retail customer access to offshore platforms.

Climate Risk

BSP Taps Space Agency to Integrate Satellite Data into Financial Supervision

By Mark Johnston | 03/02/2026

The BSP will use geospatial tools to monitor physical risk exposures, inflation drivers and disaster impacts on economic stability.

Structural Regulation

Philippine Plans Tech Board for PSE to Attract High-Growth Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/01/2026

Regulators are developing a new listing board with more flexible rules, inspired by Nasdaq, to help technology startups access public capital.

Conduct, Culture & Accountability

Philippines SEC Mandates Strict 9-Year Term for Independent Directors

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/01/2026

The SEC removes extensions and sets a firm nine-year cumulative term for independent directors of listed firms to bolster board independence.

Structural Regulation

Philippines to Name Successful Digital Bank Applicants Within Q1

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/01/2026

The BSP is reviewing applicants for four new licences, aiming to lower costs, streamline services, and enhance financial inclusion with fresh competition.

Anti-Money Laundering

Philippines to Launch Digital Registry for Beneficial Ownership Reporting

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 26/01/2026

The new HARBOR portal will centralise corporate ownership data, a move aimed at bolstering AML efforts and FATF compliance.

Structural Regulation

Philippines SEC Mulls Lifting Moratorium on New Online Lenders

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/01/2026

The SEC is studying an end to its 2021 ban but plans to introduce higher capital requirements and other consumer protection measures.

Capital Adequacy

Philippines Mandates Digital Submission for Banks' Regulatory Relief Reports

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/01/2026

Banks availing of specific relief measures must now submit supplemental financial and capital adequacy reports via the central bank's PRIME platform.