The Crypto Roundtable brings together industry leaders and participants to discuss market literacy and the Philippine digital asset market
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has proposed suspending new registrations of Operators of Payment Systems (OPS) for 12 months and tightening how payment firms deal with virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The Philippine crypto trading community has welcomed the proposal, as reported on 30 September 2026.
Under the draft circular, released for consultation earlier in September, the suspension would run while the central bank reviews its licensing framework. Payment firms would deal with regulated VASPs only through direct arrangements, with enhanced due diligence, monitoring, and transaction and settlement limits.
Global Miranda Miner Group (GMMG) said it supports stronger accountability and traceability. Arlone Abello, CEO of GMMG and Founding Chairman of the Innovative Movement of the Philippine Association of Crypto Traders (IMPACT), spoke at The Crypto Roundtable alongside John Garcia, Head of Strategic and Market Education Ventures at GCash, Alden Yburan, Head of GCrypto, and Patrick Lao, Head of Retail at PDAX.
“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. He called the pause on new licenses and closer controls on VASPs “what happens when an industry grows up.”
GMMG CEO Arlone Abello shares insights in a panel discussion on crypto identity, financial and market literacy
The retail base is large and growing. About 10% of Filipinos now use crypto, and users are projected to reach nearly 12.8 million this year. Much of the adoption comes from demand for digital-first financial services in a country where about 76% of the population is unbanked or underbanked.
Abello said participants now include traders moving across from gold and equities, professionals applying familiar investment approaches to crypto, and younger Filipinos building crypto into their wider financial plans. This is a change from the play-to-earn boom that drove early adoption.
GMMG cautioned that regulation does not make people better investors, and that market participants may still face losses without stronger financial literacy. The company said it will continue working with industry partners and regulators to expand education. The next edition of The Crypto Roundtable will be held in November 2026. Details are available at globalmirandaminer.com.
[L-R] Arlone Abello (Coach Miranda Miner), CEO of Global Miranda Miner Group; Patrick Lao, Head of Retail at PDAX; John Garcia, Head of Strategic and Market Education Ventures at GCash; and Alden Yburan, Head of GCrypto, at The Crypto Roundtable