Philippines proposes 12-month freeze on new payment operators, tightens crypto rules

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, has proposed a 12-month suspension on new payment system operator registrations. This move is accompanied by plans to enforce stricter controls on cryptocurrency payments within the country. The proposed measures include enhanced due diligence, monitoring, transaction limits, and settlement controls for crypto-related merchant payment arrangements. This regulatory shift appears to reflect a cautious approach by the BSP as it reviews its licensing framework for operators and virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The recent announcement by the BSP suggests a potential tightening of the regulatory environment for cryptocurrency transactions in the Philippines. This could influence market conditions for Bitcoin and other digital assets, particularly in relation to their integration within formal payment systems. Markets are likely to interpret these developments as indicative of a more challenging landscape for crypto adoption in the country. Key Takeaways The BSP’s proposal indicates a shift towards more stringent regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency payments in the Philippines. Market pricing suggests pa...