As cryptocurrency adoption continues to expand in the Philippines, industry participants are highlighting the importance of stronger accountability, traceability, and market education alongside regulatory oversight.
The discussion took center stage at The Crypto Roundtable, where Arlone Abello, CEO of Global Miranda Miner Group (GMMG) and Founding Chairman of the Innovative Movement of the Philippine Association of Crypto Traders (IMPACT), joined John Garcia of GCash, Alden Yburan of GCrypto, and Patrick Lao of PDAX to discuss the evolving local digital asset landscape.
The conversation comes as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to strengthen its regulatory approach to virtual assets and payment systems. The central bank has maintained a moratorium on new VASP licenses since September 2025, citing consumer protection and cybersecurity concerns.
Abello described tighter oversight as part of the digital asset market’s development, while stressing that regulation does not remove the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency.
“When every payment can be traced to a real business, users, banks and partners can deal with crypto platforms with the same confidence they have in any other financial service,” Abello said. “Our job now is to make sure users mature at the same pace.”
Growing Adoption, Greater Need For Financial Literacy
The Philippine crypto market has expanded beyond its early play-to-earn audience, with participants now including professionals and investors coming from traditional asset classes such as equities and gold. Industry estimates cited during the discussion put crypto participation at more than 12 million Filipinos, with the number projected to reach approximately 12.8 million by the end of 2026.
With more Filipinos encountering digital assets as part of their broader financial activities, Abello emphasized that understanding volatility, exposure, and risk management remains essential.
The need for education becomes particularly relevant as global crypto markets regain momentum. In September, total cryptocurrency market capitalization briefly moved above US$3 trillion, while Bitcoin traded around US$86,000 and open interest in perpetual futures approached US$160 billion. These figures also reflected increased leverage and speculative activity in the market.
Building A More Informed Crypto Community
For GMMG, education is an important complement to regulation. The organization said it will continue working with industry partners and regulators on initiatives covering technical analysis, risk management, market behavior, and disciplined trading.
The next edition of The Crypto Roundtable is scheduled for November 2026, providing another platform for industry participants to discuss developments in the Philippine digital asset ecosystem.
As cryptocurrency becomes more accessible to Filipino users, the conversation is increasingly shifting beyond adoption toward how users can better understand the opportunities and risks that come with participating in a rapidly evolving market.
