Current Economic Situation in the Philippines
The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is among the world's largest remittance recipients, constituting about 9% of its GDP.
With over 2 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), families back home heavily rely on cross-border remittance flows to meet household expenses.
According to the preliminary figures for 2023, overseas workers' cash remittances sent to the Philippines reached approximately 33.5 billion U.S. dollars. Most of these remittances came from land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
However, traditional remittance channels often come with hefty transaction fees and delays, prompting many to seek alternatives like cryptocurrency for its speed and affordability.
Despite improving employment rates, estimated at 96.9 percent in December 2023, 1.4 percentage points (ppts) higher compared to the previous quarter’s rate of 95.5 per cent, wage stagnation remains a concern for many Filipinos.
Limited employment opportunities, particularly for the youthful population, have driven the alternatives of play-to-earn (P2E) games and online platforms that offer crypto-based rewards.
The Philippine population has been quick to embrace digital assets. This positive attitude towards cryptocurrency assets began to be recorded during the Covid-19 lockdowns when Filipino families started earning a living by “farming” non-fungible tokens (NFTs) through P2E games, especially the now-defunct video game Axie Infinity.
Government Regulations and Policies
Cryptocurrencies in the Philippines are generally regulated by two government bodies:
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recognizes cryptocurrencies as legitimate tools for payment and financial transactions. Its regulatory framework began with Circular No. 944 in 2017, which provided guidelines for Virtual Currency Exchanges (VCEs). Following 2021 when the BSP introduced rules to that required Virtual Asset Providers to maintain comprehensive records of user activity and regularly report to the BSP
As of October 2024, the BSP has licensed of 14 Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in the Philippines such as the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX) and Bloomsolutions, Inc. while also ensuring compliance under the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) protocols of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 which monitors transactions for suspicious activities.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) primarily regulates the issuance and management of securities, investments, and other related digital assets in the Philippines. On the consideration that cryptocurrencies are virtual currencies, The SEC, using the Howey Test, In 2023, expanded its regulatory scope to include tokenized securities and financial products utilizing Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)
The SEC further makes regulation that Companies conducting Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in the Philippines are required to register with the SEC and adhere to its reporting requirements. ICO issuers are also expected to disclose financial details, project plans, and potential risks to investors.
Cryptocurrency Taxation in the Philippines
As cryptocurrency transactions increased, the Philippine government introduced tax policies to regulate the sector and generate public revenue. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) oversees taxation and applying general tax principles to crypto activities in the country.
The Bureau identifies the two key areas that are regarded as taxable in the Philippines and they include Capital gains and business incomes.
Profits from trading or exchanging cryptocurrencies are subject to capital gains tax, capped at 15%. This provision applies to both individual and corporate taxpayers. Also, crypto trading or mining conducted as a business activity is treated as ordinary income and is subject to income tax rates and value-added tax (VAT).
The law also mandates Filipino citizens and residents to report gains from crypto transactions during annual tax filings. Non-compliance can result in penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
More recently, the government has been considering new tax rules for crypto transactions which includes imposing a 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) on digital services by companies based outside the Philippines. This has raised concerns among industry stakeholders and individuals about its potential impact on crypto adoption.
Current State of Crypto Adoption in the Philippines
The Philippines ranks sixth globally in cryptocurrency adoption according to the 2023 Chainalysis report, a drop from second place in 2022.
Around 16 million Filipinos own cryptocurrency, amounting to about 13.4% of the total population. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization in the country has exceeded twice the amount in 2023, rising from USD 829 billion to USD 1.72 trillion.
DBS Bank highlights the significant web traffic from the Philippines to crypto-related gaming and gambling platforms, reflecting the role of these activities in driving adoption.
The country also has 42 operational crypto ATMs and reports a growing number of Bitcoin wallet registrations. Coins.ph, one of the leading platforms, has integrated crypto into services like remittances, bill payments, and mobile top-ups.
Despite these advancements, adoption is still concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural areas with limited exposure.
Factors Driving Adoption of Cryptocurrency in the Philippines
The cryptocurrency market thrives in the Philippines primarily due to its boisterous youth population and the digitally-inclined community. Other factors that drives the adoption of cryptocurrency in the Philippines are underlisted
- Remittance Efficiency: Traditional remittance services charge high fees and involve lengthy processes. Cryptocurrencies offer faster, cheaper, and more secure alternatives, attracting OFWs and their families.
- Young, digitally-inclined Population: With a median age of 25, Filipinos are naturally inclined towards technology. The popularity of blockchain-based P2E games like Axie Infinity, which allowed users to earn and trade tokens, highlights this major trend.
- Financial Inclusion: Around 44% of Filipinos remain unbanked. Crypto platforms provide a gateway for these individuals to access digital financial services, fostering greater economic inclusion.
- Low Transaction Costs: Cryptocurrencies minimize transaction fees compared to traditional banking and remittance channels, especially for microtransactions.
- Cultural Openness to Innovation: Filipinos have demonstrated adaptability to new technologies, further accelerated by the pandemic, which normalized digital payments and virtual economies.
Cryptocurrency Usage in Various Sectors
- Gaming and Gambling: The rise of P2E games has made the gaming sector a significant driver of crypto adoption. According to DBS Bank, a substantial portion of crypto traffic in the Philippines is attributed to gaming and gambling platforms.
- Remittances: OFWs are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies for cross-border money transfers, significantly reducing fees compared to traditional methods like Western Union.
- E-Commerce: Crypto payments are slowly gaining traction in the e-commerce sector, with platforms like Coins.ph enabling seamless transactions.
- Startups and Fintech: Companies like Bloom Solutions and PDAX are leveraging blockchain to improve services like remittances and trading. These startups are bridging gaps between traditional finance and digital currencies.
- Education and Awareness: Institutions and organizations, such as the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, are actively promoting crypto education, further integrating blockchain into the nation’s financial ecosystem.
Challenges Facing Crypto Adoption in the Philippines
- Regulatory Uncertainty: While the BSP and SEC have made strides in regulation, frequent changes can create uncertainty for businesses and investors.
- Market Volatility: Cryptocurrencies are inherently volatile, which may discourage users from looking for stable financial instruments.
- Limited Rural Access: Although urban areas are hubs for crypto activity, rural regions face limited access due to technological and infrastructural gaps.
- Low Tax Compliance: With one of the lowest crypto tax compliance rates globally, the government struggles to harness revenue from this burgeoning industry.
- Cybersecurity Risks: The rise in crypto transactions has been accompanied by an increase in fraud and scams, posing risks to users.
- Global Influence: The Philippine crypto market is vulnerable to International regulations and market dynamics, as seen with the Binance ban.
The Potential for Cryptocurrency in the Philippines
Despite challenges, the potential for cryptocurrency in the Philippines is immense.
The adoption rate of cryptocurrency holds a promise of Increased Financial Inclusion for Filipinos. Cryptocurrencies can further bridge the gap between the unbanked population and banking services, reducing economic inequality.
Through integration, blockchain technology can revolutionize sectors like healthcare, supply chain, and education.
As OFWs increasingly use crypto, remittance efficiency has higher chances of improvement, directly benefiting millions of households.
Conclusion
The adoption rate of cryptocurrency in the Philippines reflects a blend of economic necessity, youthful innovation, and a proactive regulatory environment.
While challenges like market volatility and regulatory uncertainty are major concerns, the nation's growing embrace of digital assets signals a promising future.
From enhancing financial inclusion to revolutionizing remittances the Philippines appears to be on track to harness the potential of cryptocurrency.
By being more innovative with progressive legislation, the Philippines can further take a leading role in crypto adoption, opening the Philippine economy to a future of possibilities and opportunities for millions.
