Philippines

The Philippines maintains a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) overseeing virtual asset service providers (VASPs) under Circulars No. 944 and 1108. Recent moratorium and CASP rules issued in 2025 further clarify licensing and operational requirements.

Overview

StatusLegal
Risk Score37/100 (Moderate Risk)
Regionsoutheast asia
CurrencyPHP

Tax Information

Capital Gains (Personal)Capital gains from crypto transactions are subject to regular income tax rates, typically ranging from 20% to 35% depending on income bracket.
Capital Gains (Corporate)Corporate capital gains from crypto are taxed under standard corporate income tax rates, approximately 25%.
VAT on CryptoNo
Staking TaxStaking rewards are treated as taxable income and subject to income tax.
Airdrop TaxAirdrops are considered taxable income at fair market value upon receipt.

Crypto gains are taxed as income for individuals and corporations, with no VAT on crypto transactions. Staking, mining, and airdrops are taxable as income.

Licensing & Registration

RequiredYes
RegulatorBSP / SEC PH
FrameworkBSP Circular No. 944 (2017) and BSP Circular No. 1108 (2021) - VASP Framework; SEC MC 04-2025 and MC 05-2025 for CASPs
Easemedium
Cost (USD)$200,000 - $1,000,000 (PHP 10M-50M minimum capital)

Licensing is mandatory for exchanges and other crypto service providers. A moratorium on new VASP licenses was imposed effective September 1, 2025, pending regulatory review.

Enforcement Activity

Level: Moderate

No detailed enforcement information available

CBDC

StatusResearch
NameAgila 2.0
Issuing AuthorityThe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Modelwholesale

AML / KYC

KYC RequiredYes
Travel RuleYes
FATF MemberYes
FATF Statuscompliant
FATF BodyAPG
Suspicious-Activity ReportingYes

DeFi, Stablecoins & NFTs

Status: regulated

DeFi activities fall under existing VASP regulations and are subject to licensing and AML requirements.

Stablecoins

Status: regulated

Stablecoins are regulated under the BSP's VASP framework and must comply with licensing and AML rules.

NFTs

Status: unregulated

Mining

LegalYes
Electricity Cost$0.12/kWh
Renewable Energy25%
Infrastructurefair

Mining is legal but limited by relatively high electricity costs and moderate infrastructure quality. No special mining zones currently.

Geopolitical Risk

Stabilitymoderate
SanctionsNo
Corruption Index34/100
Banking Accessmoderate
Sanctions Program ActiveNo

Risk Factors

The Philippines has a moderately stable political environment with ongoing regulatory adjustments in crypto. No international sanctions apply. Corruption remains a challenge, impacting business ease.

Recent Political Events

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cryptocurrency legal in Philippines?

The Philippines maintains a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) overseeing virtual asset service providers (VASPs) under Circulars No. 944 and 1108. Recent moratorium and CASP rules issued in 2025 further clarify licensing and operational requirements.

What is the FATF status of Philippines?

Philippines is classified by FATF as: compliant.

Are VASPs licensed in Philippines?

Yes, licensing is required for VASPs.

What is the AML/KYC regime in Philippines?

KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.

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Last reviewed: 2026-09-06 · Data source: Soken Crypto Legal Map

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