Grab PH Users Can Now Cash In With Their Cryptocurrency Through PDAX, Triple-A Partnership

Manila, Philippines — Grab users in the Philippines can now top up their GrabPay wallets using Cryptocurrencies. This is made possible by Grab’s partnership with payments provider Triple-A and local digital asset exchange PDAX.

Crypto top-ups into the GrabPay e-wallet were initially launched in Singapore in 2024 through Grab’s partnership with Triple-A, a firm that enables businesses to facilitate payments in digital currencies.

Building on this success, Triple-A teamed up with PDAX to bring a new level of convenience and flexibility to Grab users in the Philippines by enabling this innovative cash-in method.

Users can top up their GrabPay wallets using an array of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), US dollar-backed stablecoin USDC, and USDT.

• Cashing in on Grab via crypto can be done in a few simple steps:
• Select ‘Cryptocurrencies’ as the cash-in method on the Grab app.
• Choose a token and network from the supported list of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.
• Enter the amount in pesos, and review the conversion rate and transaction details.
• Send the tokens from your preferred crypto wallet to the provided address.
• Top-up confirmed. Funds are instantly reflected in your GrabPay wallet.

Eric Barbier, CEO of Triple-A, shared: “We had a successful launch of GrabPay top-ups with cryptocurrency in Singapore. The response has been fantastic. Now, we're looking forward to bringing this service to the Philippines, a market that's ready for digital currencies. This is a big step in making digital currencies easier to use in everyday life across Southeast Asia.”

CJ Lacsican, Vice President for Cities and Head of the Grab Financial Group in the Philippines, shares, “Integrating cryptocurrency as a cash-in option for GrabPay reflects our commitment to advancing financial inclusion in the Philippines. By offering more accessible, digital-first solutions, we aim to empower a wider spectrum of Filipinos — especially those with limited access to traditional banking or those who prefer the convenience of digital currencies.” Other cash-in methods for GrabPay include e-wallets, online banking via InstaPay, linked bank accounts, debit and credit cards, and select convenience stores and business centers.

Meanwhile, PDAX is an all-in-one wealth platform. With millions of users nationwide, it provides access to digital assets and modern investment solutions, empowering progressive Filipinos to take charge of building their own wealth through cryptocurrencies, tokenized bonds, and other digital assets. Nichel Gaba, PDAX CEO shares, "The Philippines has one of the largest crypto user bases globally. Through this partnership, we're thrilled to offer accessible use cases that will both support the existing crypto community and drive greater adoption of cryptocurrency."

This tripartite partnership strengthens safe and secure crypto transactions in connection with everyday services like on-demand mobility and deliveries — with Triple-A licensed by organizations like Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN); and PDAX regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, ensuring that every top-up meets global standards for cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and data protection.

PDAX Ready for Potential Market Shifts Post-bitcoin Halving

APRIL 2024, Makati, Philippines — Local cryptocurrency exchange platform PDAX announced that it is fully prepared for the expected fluctuations in the digital currency market in anticipation of the upcoming Bitcoin halving.

“When Bitcoin started going up in price, and customers started coming to our platform. That was a real test of our platform five years ago. That's bound to happen again. But I guess the difference between that happening four years ago versus today, as far as feedback is concerned, is that our platform is ready,” PDAX CEO Nichel Gaba said during "What’s Halvening? Token Tales and Toasts” session at Rockwell, Makati City, on Tuesday.

The Bitcoin halving occurs roughly every four years wherein the reward for mining new blocks is slashed by half. This reduction slows the introduction of new Bitcoins into circulation, a mechanism that has historically triggered increased market activity and notable price fluctuations.

The anticipation surrounding the halving has intensified following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs), making it easier for retail and institutional investors to buy and engage with Bitcoin directly. This development has played a crucial role in propelling Bitcoin’s price to an all-time high of $73,737.94.

“This is the first halving event where there are already institutional participants in the crypto market. Now that institutions are in the crypto space, we can expect whatever excitement propelled retail investors to take Bitcoin to $72,000. You can just imagine how much more that would be when institutions are also in the market. That’s why this upcoming halving is truly important,” he added.

In terms of the platform, PDAX said the bear market in the past few years gave them time to gear up for this year’s market.

“Before the approval of ETFs and the Bitcoin halving, we’ve been preparing our systems for it, making them more stable and secure. We work with various organizations to make the frameworks up to stuff. The idea is that if a user wants to get in on the action, there's an easy way to do it, and there's a secure way to do it. We are not stopping, and we’re continuing to improve our platform,” said Vincent Tio, Head of Platform Solutions at PDAX.

As to the country’s regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency, the PDAX CEO noted the constructive stance of the local regulators towards financial innovations and how this level of oversight is crucial for platform integrity and user trust.

“What happened since the crash of Luna and the bankruptcy of FTX really made regulators aware of the risks of platforms that are unregulated. I cannot overstate the significance of a platform being regulated. Regulated means that the BSP visits PDAX and makes sure that we are processing transactions correctly, every quarter we have to report any significant change in our platform, and we’re also bound to conform to the guidelines that they set,” Gaba explained.

“A lot of what the BSP and SEC have been doing in the past year and a half is not just to create new rules that can safeguard the public but to enforce already existing rules. As crypto becomes much more popular moving forward, we can expect the regulators to continue to raise the standards,” he added.

Launched in 2018 and regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, PDAX stands as the country's leading cryptocurrency exchange, offering a secure platform for trading over 70 assets, including cryptocurrencies and tokenized bonds, with plans to expand its asset offerings.

As part of the PDAX commitment to user engagement and market participation, the platform has announced that they are giving away free Bitcoin to new users who sign up, verify their accounts, and start trading between March 27 and April 30, 2024. Users can check out the full mechanics on their official website: https://learn.pdax.ph/post/next-money-move-free-btc.

Y Combinator-backed stock trading platform Cera rolls out in the Philippines

18 October 2023 - Cera, a US stock trading platform backed by Y Combinator, in partnership with Fireblocks, announced its  Beta launch, allowing Filipinos and anyone anywhere in the world to invest in US stocks using stablecoins.

Cera enables users to invest in US stocks using stablecoins such as USD Coin, Tether (USDT), and Binance USD. Each of these coins is pegged to a value of $1, ensuring stability and eliminating the hassle of complex account setups and international transactions.

Users are now able to buy and trade a wide range of stocks, including energy companies, healthcare providers, and tech giants such as Tesla Inc. (TSLA), Apple Inc. (AAPL), and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT).

“Cera is revolutionizing the entryway to the US stock market through a seamless deposit, purchase, and trade process. Our core values of stability, transparency, and accessibility ensure that diverse global communities including Filipinos can confidently engage with the market,"  Cera’s Product Lead, Daniel Phan said.

Cera's platform makes the US stock market accessible as it allows investing as little as $2. The platform supports investments in fractional shares, offering increased flexibility to users.

As part of its launch, for a limited time, Cera offers up to $50 for new sign-ups that make eligible deposits. Their attractive referral program is also available for users who introduce friends to the platform.

“We aspire to empower anyone in the world with global investment opportunities, emphasizing ease and user fund security. Our partnership with Fireblocks ensures that our users always have control over their investments,” Phan said.

Cera app is available on Google Play and Apple Store.

Moneybees Expands OTC Crypto Services through Tivoli Money Exchange’s New Branch at One Ayala

24 August 2023 – Aimed at making crypto buying and selling more accessible to Filipinos, Moneybees, a leading over-the-counter cryptocurrency exchange platform, has reinforced efforts with its long-standing partnership with Tivoli Money Exchange through its recently opened branch at One Ayala.

Located at the corner of Ayala Avenue and EDSA in Makati, the new intermodal transportation hub is now home to Tivoli’s latest store. Tivoli One Ayala houses Moneybees’ competitive crypto services to cater to digital currency users of all backgrounds within the vicinity.

“Expanding our services to the new branch of Tivoli at One Ayala attempts to meet the increasing demand for convenient and reliable crypto exchange services in the country. Moneybees remains dedicated to offering transparent rates and expert support for a seamless and rewarding crypto trading experience as customer satisfaction and safety are at the core of our operations,” said Jay Villarante, Chairman and CEO of Moneybees Forex Corporation.

The biggest branch to date is poised to serve many customers while committing to swift crypto exchanges with shorter waiting times. Founded in 1983, Tivoli has been trustworthy in buying, selling, and exchanging currencies and covering high- and low-value transactions over the counter.

“As cryptocurrencies gain acceptance in the market, offering Moneybees cryptocurrency exchange services allows us to thrive in this digital age, they serve as a bridge between our target market and the world of cryptocurrencies and accelerate the digital revolution,” said Eirene Tinitigan, President of Tivoli Money Exchange.

“Our customers can expect a seamless integration of traditional currency trading and cryptocurrency investments. They will gain access to an extensive range of fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat trading pairs, ensuring enhanced liquidity and convenience,” Tinitigan added.

Since 2021, Moneybees, a duly registered Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Anti Money Laundering Council, has established a dynamic presence in Metro Manila through strategically located Tivoli branches in major commercial buildings such as in Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Glorietta 2 in Makati, and Okada Manila in Parañaque. Bringing crypto services near leisure and shopping centers reaches both experienced and inexperienced traders and enthusiasts.

All four Tivoli branches offer a range of cryptocurrencies for trading, such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USD Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ripple (XRP), Cardano (ADA), and other major cryptocurrencies.

“The establishment of an OTC crypto exchange outlet plays a pivotal role in pushing cryptocurrencies into the mainstream by instilling trust, accommodating a broader base of customers, providing essential services, and strengthening the industry's credibility,” Villarante stated.

“With the ever-growing interest in cryptocurrencies, Moneybees invites both our current and new clients to visit Tivoli’s new branch in One Ayala Mall and explore the wide range of crypto services we have to offer. Together, we are embracing the future of finance, making digital assets more accessible,” he added.

More than 400 small businesses in PH now accept Bitcoin payments

5 June 2023, Philippines - A payment fintech launched in 2021 is transforming the landscape of the Philippine digital economy by enabling more than 400 small businesses to accept and process Bitcoin payments. Pouch.ph is tapping into the country’s vast pool of tiny merchants—from mom-and-pop stores to boutique hotels.

Pouch.ph utilizes Lightning Network built atop Bitcoin to make digital payments quicker, cheaper, and more user-friendly. This payment protocol allows customers to pay by scanning a merchant's QR code with any Bitcoin wallet. Pouch.ph then converts that Bitcoin to Pesos and sends the money directly to the merchant's bank or mobile money account, making the process easy and efficient for both parties.

“One of the most significant challenges for the growth of small businesses is the availability of payment methods, with credit cards charging fees up to three percent. With the growing number of internet and smartphone users in the Philippines, Bitcoin as a payment method will allow those who do not have credit cards or even local fiat currency to make online or in-store purchases. We’re helping businesses open up a vast market that was previously untapped,” said Pouch.ph CEO Ethan Rose.

More than 250 local businesses in the popular tourist destination of Boracay, including convenience stores, cafes, hotels, and restaurants, have already enrolled with Pouch.ph and have been integrating Bitcoin payments into their daily operations.

For Erielyn Gaston, owner of Kasbar restaurant, accepting Bitcoin as payment allowed her to attract a wider customer base and increase sales. “[Pouch.ph] has been very helpful as another mode of payment other than credit cards and e-wallets which is the usual mode of payment here [in Boracay],” she said in a panel discussion during the Bitcoin Island conference.

“It's very convenient to have a payment service that's fast and easily available so that for us, in regards to increasing the revenue, it allows people to stay longer because the other alternative that is there is one of these ATMs that are not from the banks the tourists [use]. If you ever add up the fees they charge for credit card users minus the exchange rate difference, you end up paying 10% to 11% if you withdraw from these ATMs,” TIB Market manager Marcel Selfer said.

Building on this success, the fintech firm is actively expanding its reach beyond “Boracay Bitcoin Island” and has onboarded merchants in Cebu City, Dumaguete, Iloilo, and Bacolod City.

In Metro Manila, some establishments have also started accepting Bitcoin as a valid form of payment through Pouch.ph such as the night bar URBN QC in Quezon City, Draper Startup House in Makati City, and niche retailer KosneyLand located inside a mall in Mandaluyong City.

Aside from receiving payments, some partner merchants use Pouch.ph for payroll. With Batch Pay feature, business owners can instantly send money in batches to employees, suppliers, and other recipients, including transfers to all major banks and e-wallets. They can transfer payroll directly to a Pouch Netbank Account with no fees, or to a nominated bank account for a minimal fee. This innovative solution aims to simplify and streamline payment processes for businesses across the country.

Pouch.ph is also preparing to extend its Batch Pay services for over-the-counter remittances through LBC, M Lhuillier, and Palawan Pawnshop.

Locals and tourists can find merchants that accept Bitcoin payments using BTCMap.org.

Bitcoin Island Retreat in Boracay Signals Strong Outlook for Cryptocurrency and Lightning Network

Bitcoin has recently demonstrated its resilience by posting its third consecutive month of positive gains amid the ongoing US banking crisis and regulatory scrutiny. This positive streak for Bitcoin has been interpreted as a strong indication of the cryptocurrency's future potential, as highlighted during the first Bitcoin Island Retreat held on Boracay Island from March 27 to 29, 2023, where venture capitalists and government leaders gathered to discuss Bitcoin's potential.

According to Augie Ilag, a venture partner at HodlCo and former Sequoia Capital crypto investor, Boracay Island has the potential to revolutionize the remittance market through the use of the Bitcoin Lightning Network. As a popular tourist destination that requires a significant currency conversion, Boracay could become a Bitcoin paradise and a model for other tourist destinations to follow.

Bitcoin payments firm Pouch.ph has played a key role in the growing adoption and innovation of Bitcoin in Boracay since mid-2022, with more than 250 locations now accepting bitcoin as payment. Using the Bitcoin Lightning Network, Pouch.ph has made sending money to the Philippines faster, cheaper, and more accessible for people around the world, particularly in a remittance market where traditional offline channels like Western Union often charge predatory rates of up to 7%, making it difficult for people to send money back home.

Ilag also believes that lightning payments such as those offered by Pouch.ph provide a unique solution to the problem of remittances, especially for foreigners who come to Boracay and need to convert their home currency into domestic currency but do not have access to local e-money providers like GCash and Paymaya.

Panelists at the Bitcoin Island Retreat, including Jack Lee of HCM Capital, Louis Liu of Mimesis Capital, and Mike Jarmuz of Lightning Ventures, also expressed their bullish stance towards Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. Liu noted that Bitcoin's infrastructure has significantly evolved since the 2008 crisis, with new exchanges and applications being built, making it a potential hedge amid current global financial challenges. Lee and Jarmuz advised attendees to focus on learning about Bitcoin and expressed confidence in supporting early-stage founders and entrepreneurs in the Philippines’ Bitcoin space.

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay also echoed the bullish sentiment towards Bitcoin during a separate panel discussion, stating that he is very bullish about Bitcoin and believes it is the real money of the 21st century. As a dean at Siliman University, he aims to make Bitcoin a global subject and hopes that Silliman will become a Bitcoin-friendly university, with other universities around the world following suit.

The Bitcoin Island Retreat was organized by Pouch.ph, together with crypto exchange and mobile wallet Coins.ph and edutech platform Bitskwela. Attendees at the retreat experienced living off of Bitcoin and learned about the power of instant payment through the Lightning Network. During the conference, Pouch.ph also announced its partnership with ZEBEDEE, a global next-generation payments processor, for a wider borderless transaction. This partnership allows users around the globe to send and receive funds from any other Lightning wallet or service, increasing financial inclusion in the Philippines.

Pouch.ph names Coins.ph as co-presenter of the Philippines’ first-ever Bitcoin Island Retreat

Pouch.ph (“Pouch”), the first company in the Philippines to process payments utilizing bitcoin’s emerging payment standard, “The Lightning Network,” has partnered with Coins.ph, ("Coins"), the Philippines' leading digital wallet provider and crypto exchange platform, to host the country’s first-ever Bitcoin Island Retreat in Boracay.

The inaugural event will be held on March 27 to 29, 2023, bringing together Bitcoin thought leaders, builders, investors, and general enthusiasts from around the world to network and discuss Bitcoin.

Over the past year, Boracay has transformed into the largest and most livable bitcoin community in the world. The tropical island has over 250 locations where attendees can pay for fine dining, resorts, water sports, and drinks with Bitcoin. Bitcoin payments in Boracay are instant and fee-free thanks to the Lightning Network, Bitcoin's layer-2 scaling solution. Pouch.ph enables merchants to accept lightning payments and receive instant, final settlement in Philippine Pesos with no fees.

At the event, attendees will interact with trailblazers in the Bitcoin industry, led by Ethan Rose, the founder and CEO of Pouch.ph. and Elijah Tan, the Vice President of Operations at Coins. Other speakers include Jack Lee, the founder of HCM Capital and an early investor in the Digital Currency Group; Stephan Livera, the Head of Education at Swan Bitcoin; Augustus Ilag, a cryptocurrency investor who previously led Sequoia Capital’s Southeast Asia crypto practice; Mike Jarmuz, a General Partner at Lightning Ventures; and crypto educator and the founder of Bitskwela, Jiro Reyes.

Attendees will also stand a chance at landing a Bitcoin booty if they can find the 12-word seed phrase to a private key owned by Dread Pirate Nakamoto. The words are placed around the island and the Bitcoin bounty will go to whoever finds them first.

To reserve your spot at this year’s premier Bitcoin event, register https://pouch.ph/retreatrsvp.

For more information about Bitcoin Island, follow us on https://twitter.com/BitcoinIslandPH.

How 488EX Is Giving Bitcoin Trading A New Approach

Manila, Philippines - Bitcoin is a digital currency that has a corresponding value just like your cash on hand. The difference is that it’s not tangible. You can’t hold or touch it physically. But you can use it to make transactions, whether you’re into buying or selling products and even services.

Now with heightened awareness of hygiene and security brought about by the current situation of Covid-19, Filipino consumers are continuously looking for ways to pay for their transactions the safest way possible — one of which is through cashless payments like online banking and cryptocurrency.

It is for this reason that 488EX has launched its trading platform recently in Brazil and in The Philippines, to provide an investment platform for both Brazilians and Filipinos that is carefully developed for beginners and professionals, with all the important tools, that are all optimized and functional, making life easier for those who want to buy and sell cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.

488EX is designed for customers, who require extremely fast execution, reliable digital wallets, and industry-leading security practices. Plus, it is completely safe, audited, and with an anti-fraud system.

So if you are looking to save and invest in bitcoins during this time of the pandemic, 488EX has made bitcoin trading easy with their simple interface. Their trading platform is convenient for beginners and professionals for fully functional trading experience. At 488EX, you can easily buy, sell, trade, and manage orders and funds on just a simple click of a button.

If you need to know more, you can check out their website at https://488ex.com/en/

You can also begin investing and trading bitcoins today for as low as 50 Brazilian Reals or 500 Philippine Pesos by going to this link.