Before July 5, 2025, anyone could run a crypto exchange in the Philippines without asking anyone for permission. That changed overnight. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) didn’t just tweak the rules - it rewrote the entire game. Now, if you want to serve Filipino users with crypto services, you need a license. No exceptions. No loopholes. And the cost? It’s not cheap.
Who Needs a License?
The SEC calls them Crypto Asset Service Providers, or CASPs. That’s any company offering crypto trading, custody, staking, lending, or even marketing crypto assets to Filipinos. It doesn’t matter if you’re based in Singapore, the U.S., or Estonia. If your website accepts Filipino users, you’re under their jurisdiction.This isn’t about banning crypto. It’s about controlling who can operate. The SEC wants to stop scams, protect savings, and stop money laundering. And they’ve made it clear: if you’re not licensed, you’re breaking the law.
The Five Core Requirements
Getting licensed isn’t a formality. It’s a full-scale corporate overhaul. Here’s what the SEC demands:- Domestic incorporation - You must register as a Philippine corporation. Foreign companies can’t just apply as-is. You need a local legal entity.
- PHP 100 million paid-up capital - That’s about $1.8 million USD. And no, you can’t use Bitcoin or Ethereum to meet this. It has to be cash, bank deposits, or other liquid assets approved by the SEC.
- Physical office in the Philippines - You need a real building, a local address, and staff who can be reached by regulators. No PO boxes. No virtual offices.
- Full AML/KYC system - Every user must be verified. Transaction monitoring must be real-time. Reports must go to both the SEC and the Anti-Money Laundering Council. No exceptions.
- 30-day pre-disclosure period - Before you market any crypto asset, you must file a disclosure document with the SEC and publish it on your website and social media. You can’t say “this coin will double next month.” You can only state facts - no promises.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
The SEC isn’t playing around. On August 1, 2025, they publicly named ten unlicensed exchanges still serving Filipinos: OKX, Bybit, KuCoin, Kraken, Binance, and others. These platforms had been operating for years. Now, they’re blocked from targeting Filipino users. Some users got 90 days to withdraw funds. Others didn’t.Fines are steep. Each violation can cost between ₱50,000 and ₱10 million. If you keep operating illegally? You pay ₱10,000 per day, every day, until you stop. That’s not a penalty. That’s a financial death sentence.
Who’s Already Licensed?
A few exchanges moved fast. Youholder, Cex.io, BitGet, and Bigone submitted full applications before the July 5 deadline. They’ve since added local support teams, opened Philippine bank accounts, and updated their websites with SEC-approved disclosures.Bybit, despite being named in the SEC’s enforcement list, later applied for a license and is now in review. Their move shows even the biggest global players see the Philippines as too big to ignore - and too risky to defy.
Why Does This Matter?
The Philippines has over 12 million crypto users - more than 10% of its population. That’s bigger than the entire user base of some European countries. The SEC isn’t trying to kill crypto. They’re trying to make it safe.Before this, people lost money because exchanges vanished overnight. Now, if a licensed CASP fails, customer funds are legally separated from company assets. That means your coins aren’t at risk if the company goes bankrupt.
Marketing is also cleaner. No more fake influencers promising 10x returns. No more hidden fees buried in fine print. Disclosures are public, reviewed by regulators, and enforceable.
What About Smaller Players?
The PHP 100 million capital requirement is the biggest hurdle. For many startups, it’s impossible. Even for established exchanges, it’s a major investment. That’s intentional. The SEC wants to keep out fly-by-night operators, but it also means fewer choices for users.Some analysts warn this could lead to a monopoly. If only a handful of big players can afford the license, competition drops. Prices might rise. Features could shrink. The SEC says they’ll review this after one year. For now, the barrier stands.
What’s Next?
The SEC isn’t done. They’re watching how licensed CASPs perform. Monthly reports, AML audits, and marketing reviews are now routine. If a company missteps, penalties hit fast.There’s talk of allowing licensed CASPs to offer tokenized securities - real-world assets like stocks or real estate on blockchain. That could turn the Philippines into a regional fintech hub. But for now, the focus is on safety, not innovation.
International exchanges are still trying to find loopholes. Some use Filipino agents to handle customer support. Others route payments through local partners. The SEC is tracking these tactics. If you’re trying to sneak in, you’ll get caught.
What Should You Do?
If you’re a Filipino investor:- Only use platforms with a visible SEC license number on their website.
- Check the SEC’s official list of registered CASPs - it’s updated monthly.
- Avoid any platform that pushes “guaranteed returns” or uses influencers to promote crypto.
If you’re a crypto business:
- Start the licensing process now - it takes 6 to 9 months.
- Set up a Philippine corporation and open a local bank account.
- Hire local compliance officers. Don’t outsource this.
- Prepare your AML/KYC system to meet SEC standards - not just international ones.
The rules aren’t going away. They’re here to stay. And if you’re serious about crypto in the Philippines, you have one path: compliance.
Do I need a license if I only trade crypto as an individual in the Philippines?
No. The SEC rules apply only to businesses offering crypto services - exchanges, custodians, staking platforms, etc. If you’re buying, selling, or holding crypto for yourself, you don’t need a license. The regulation targets platforms, not users.
Can I use a foreign crypto exchange that doesn’t have a Philippine license?
Technically, yes - but you’re on your own. If the exchange gets blocked or collapses, you won’t have legal recourse. The SEC won’t help you recover funds. Licensed platforms are required to protect your assets. Unlicensed ones aren’t. If you care about safety, use only SEC-registered CASPs.
How do I verify if a crypto platform is licensed by the SEC?
Go to the SEC Philippines website and check their official list of registered Crypto Asset Service Providers. Every licensed CASP must display their registration number on their website, usually in the footer or legal section. If you can’t find it, assume they’re not licensed.
What happens if a licensed CASP goes bankrupt?
Customer funds must be held separately from the company’s own money. This is a strict requirement under the CASP Rules. If a licensed exchange fails, your crypto or fiat should remain protected and can be returned to you. This is one of the biggest improvements over the old system, where users lost everything when platforms disappeared.
Are there any crypto assets that are banned in the Philippines?
No. The SEC doesn’t ban specific coins like Bitcoin or Ethereum. But they do ban unapproved offerings. If a new token is sold without SEC disclosure, it’s illegal - even if it’s a popular global coin. The issue isn’t the asset. It’s whether the platform offering it followed the rules.
Can a Philippine-based startup get a license if it doesn’t have $1.8 million?
Not under current rules. The PHP 100 million capital requirement applies to all applicants, regardless of size or origin. This makes it nearly impossible for small startups to enter. The SEC says they’ll review this after one year of enforcement, but for now, only well-funded companies can qualify.
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