BlockShoals Technologies, Inc. Joins FinTech Alliance PH, Reinforcing Its Compliance-First Commitment to the Philippine Digital Asset Ecosystem

MANILA, Philippines — BlockShoals Technologies, Inc. (BlockShoals), the Philippine-incorporated fintech company approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate as a Crypto Asset Intermediary (CAI) under the SEC's Strategic Sandbox (StratBox) framework, today announced its membership in the FinTech Alliance PH, the country's premier and largest digital industry association.

The membership aligns BlockShoals with an organization that comprises over 100 corporate members collectively accounting for more than 95% of the country's digital retail financial transaction volume. As the first organization of its kind in Asia, the FinTech Alliance PH pioneered the establishment of an industry-led Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics and continues to serve as a vital resource for regulators, policymakers, and legislators in advancing inclusive digital finance.

For BlockShoals, joining the Alliance advances its vision to be the most trusted and reliable Crypto Asset Intermediary in the Philippines and the region, setting the benchmark for regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and operational excellence in the digital asset industry. BlockShoals is the locally registered and regulated entity through which Binance products and services are made available to users in the Philippines, operating under the direct supervision of the SEC within the StratBox framework. In that structure, BlockShoals holds local regulatory responsibility, user-facing operations, and compliance obligations, while Binance provides technology infrastructure and operational support as the global partner.

Institutionalized under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 9, Series of 2024 and administered through the SEC's PhiliFintech Innovation Office (PhiliFINNO), the StratBox is a regulatory tool that allows participants to test an innovative product, service, or business model in a live and controlled environment under the supervision and guidance of the Commission. The framework is designed to advance responsible innovation while strengthening consumer protection.

"We are honored to join the FinTech Alliance PH, an organization whose credibility and standards mirror the principles on which BlockShoals was built," said Alfredo "Al" Panlilio, Chairman of BlockShoals Technologies, Inc. "Our vision is to be the most trusted and reliable Crypto Asset Intermediary in the Philippines and the region, setting the benchmark for regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and operational excellence. We pursue that vision by promoting compliance as the foundation of responsible digital asset services, advancing financial education and inclusion, upholding the highest standards of integrity and operational reliability, and partnering with global industry leaders to deliver world-class infrastructure within a fully compliant Philippine framework. Success is not measured by market share alone, but by the trust we earn from regulators, customers, partners, and the communities we serve."

Through its membership, BlockShoals looks forward to contributing to the Alliance's work on digital payments, financial education, consumer protection, and the broader agenda of inclusive digital finance in the Philippines.

DITO Wins Best Network Award for the Second Consecutive Time, While Competition Heats Up Across the Philippines

The Philippine telecommunications industry continues to raise the bar as operators compete to deliver faster, more reliable, and higher-quality mobile experiences. In the latest independent network performance report, DITO Telecommunity once again emerged as the Best Network, securing the prestigious title for the second consecutive reporting period. The achievement highlights DITO's continued investment in network infrastructure and its commitment to providing reliable connectivity for Filipino consumers.

One of DITO's most notable accomplishments is its fifth consecutive Reliability Experience award, earning an impressive 838 points on a 100–1000 point scale. This consistent performance demonstrates the company's ability to maintain stable network connections, allowing users to enjoy uninterrupted browsing, streaming, video calls, and online work. Reliability has become one of the most important factors for mobile users, making DITO's sustained success a significant milestone in the country's highly competitive telecom landscape.

While DITO led the overall network category, Smart Communications continued to dominate user experience awards. Smart secured outright victories in Games Experience, 5G Games Experience, Voice App Experience, and 5G Voice App Experience, reinforcing its reputation as the preferred network for gamers and users who rely heavily on communication apps. Overall, Smart increased its total award count from six in the previous report to eight, reflecting continuous improvements across multiple service categories.

Meanwhile, Globe Telecom achieved one of the biggest competitive gains in the latest report by turning Consistent Quality into an outright victory. This marks the sharpest competitive shift since the previous reporting period, highlighting Globe's efforts to enhance network stability and customer satisfaction. The company also successfully retained its Coverage Experience award, emphasizing its extensive nationwide network reach and ability to provide service across more locations.

The latest report illustrates how competition among the country's three major telecom providers continues to benefit Filipino consumers. Rather than one company dominating every category, each provider has demonstrated strengths in different aspects of mobile connectivity. DITO leads in overall network performance and reliability, Smart excels in gaming and voice application experiences, while Globe maintains leadership in coverage and consistent service quality.

As demand for faster internet, 5G services, cloud applications, and digital lifestyles continues to grow, telecom providers are expected to invest even more aggressively in network upgrades and infrastructure. For consumers, this ongoing rivalry translates into better mobile experiences, improved service reliability, expanded coverage, and greater value. Ultimately, healthy competition among DITO, Smart, and Globe is driving innovation and helping shape the future of digital connectivity in the Philippines.

Binance Appoints Jen Bilango as New General Manager For The Philippines

Manila, Philippines - Binance, the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem and digital asset infrastructure provider, together with its partner BlockShoals Technologies (“BlockShoals”), officially welcomes a new member to its leadership team, Jen Bilango, as their General Manager.

An experienced executive in the blockchain space, Jen Bilango’s experience includes serving as General Manager at BlockchainSpace, an international hub empowering web3 communities across Southeast Asia, including gaming, creator economies, sports, and even music.

Bilango also represented the Philippines in the massive Web3 title, The Sandbox, during her tenure with BlockchainSpace, creating initiatives and guiding teams that led to the launch of the first-ever country-specific NFT asset sale on the Sandbox Platform. Aside from working with Web3 communities and platforms, Bilango also served as the Country Manager for a local licensed crypto exchange and was part of the exchange’s push towards global expansion and launch of the PHPC stablecoin.​
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Aside from the blockchain, Bilango’s also gained expertise working in the field of investment banking. Serving as a Board Director for Mabuhay Capital Corporation, taking the lead in multi-million dollar transactions across healthcare, financial services, real estate, and other major industries. Bilango also worked closely with regulators during her tenure with Mabuhay Capital Corporation, a key background that will help Binance navigate its own SEC and regulatory compliance journey in preparation for its entry into the Philippines.

Now embarking on a new role, Jen Bilango brings her combined experience from fostering trading communities, pushing for Web3 expansion, and working with Financial institutions to further blockchain adoption in the Philippines through Binance PH by Blockshoals.

“I am excited and incredibly grateful for this appointment by Binance PH,” says Jen Bilango. She also adds, “It’s an amazing opportunity to be part of the world’s leading blockchain brand in working to ensure full compliance and regulatory measures in our entry to the Philippines and reconnect with the Filipino community and welcome new adopters to blockchain technology.”

“We’re really glad to have Jen on board with us as we gear up for our official launch in the Philippines”, states SB Seker, Head of APAC at Binance. “Her experience is a testament to her expertise, and we’re excited about what we can achieve together”. He also added, “Jen is a fantastic individual who helped push for mainstream crypto adoption in the Philippines. Her roots in the community will surely help us not just reinvigorate the Filipinos’ interest in Binance and in crypto in general, but also to create something special for blockchain adopters in the Philippines.”

CashKO Expands ‘Made-To-Measure’ Microinsurance to Future-Proof 6M+ Filipinos From Medical Poverty, Bridging National Protection Gap

Manila, Philippines — CashKO, a subsidiary of Philippine InsurTech company RuralNet, now protects over 6.1 million underserved Filipinos across 81 provinces through its affordable microinsurance network, driving a critical shift toward grassroots financial resilience.

This comes as the company deploys its "made-to-measure" insurance offering to directly address the country’s growing healthcare and protection gap. Unlike traditional one-size-fits-all insurance products that remain financially out of reach for low-income families, CashKO's coverage is structured to address final medical liabilities and funeral expenses. Because terminal illnesses frequently drain a family’s entire life savings before a loss occurs, these tailored life policies act as an immediate financial shock absorber, protecting vulnerable households from falling into deep poverty before other financial support can arrive.

This safety net coincides with a shifting landscape in public health anxieties in the country. About 67% of adult Filipinos identify staying healthy and avoiding illnesses as their most urgent personal concern, outranking immediate economic worries. Yet a protection gap persists, with the latest national insurance penetration low at 2%. For the informal sector and rural communities, the sudden economic shock of a severe illness frequently forces families into predatory debt cycles, effectively resetting their economic progress to zero.

Lolita Lugasan, a market vendor, shares how she used CashKO through a local lending partner after her husband's sudden passing. With the family's savings exhausted by prior medical care, Lugasan noted that immediate financial assistance arrived within days, allowing her to cover urgent costs while preserving half of the funds to sustain her small business and protect her family's livelihood.

“Makalipas ang ilang araw matapos mamatay ang asawa ko, mabilis kong nakuha ang claim. Ramdam mo na may nag-aalaga sa iyo, may malasakit,” said Lugasan. (“Just a few days after my husband passed away, I received the insurance claim quickly. It makes you feel like someone is truly looking after you and genuinely cares.”)

“‘Yung nakuha ko sa CashKO, kinabukasan, nataon na birthday niya. Hinati ko 'yun. Yung kalahati, ipinanghanda ko. Pero yung kalahati, inilagay ko sa negosyo ko para may umiikot akong puhunan,” she continued. (“The payout I received from CashKO arrived just in time for his birthday the next day. I split the money—half went toward preparing a meal for his birthday, and the other half I invested back into my business so I would have capital to keep it running.”)

CashKO's tailored plans are co-designed alongside local institutions such as rural banks, cooperatives, and microfinance lenders to match the unique income patterns and risk exposure of specific communities.

"Financial protection should be within everyone's reach. It should not be a luxury, but a necessity. Our microinsurance service is tailored to the unique needs of Filipino households, moving away from rigid, traditional insurance and instead co-designing 'made-to-measure' plans with local institutions. By leveraging technology, we are helping more Filipino families build genuine financial resilience and long-term peace of mind, so that losing a breadwinner doesn't mean starting back at zero," said Justin Arcenas, Founder & CEO of RuralNet Inc.

A key driver of CashKO’s scalability and impact is RuralNet’s proprietary digital infrastructure. The platform has streamlined the end-to-end claims process to maintain a 97% claims approval rate while turning around payouts 75% faster than the industry average. This speed proves to be critical for low-income beneficiaries who require immediate liquidity to avoid high-interest emergency loans.

By enabling rural banks, cooperatives, and microfinance institutions to integrate insurance into their existing services, CashKO has expanded its reach through a robust network of more than 5,000 partner branches across 81 provinces. Today, CashKO serves as the foundational financial and operational core of RuralNet's tech-driven ecosystem, lowering operational overhead and eliminating the traditional distribution and trust barriers that have limited the rural insurance sector.

With a proven track record of handling over 6.1 million covered lives, CashKO’s tailored life microinsurance solutions form a vital safety net for the country's most vulnerable sectors in the Philippines.

For more information, you may visit ruralnet.ph or micro.cashko-insurance.com.

Globe and e& Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen International Voice Security

Globe has partnered with e& Carrier & Wholesale Services (C&WS), the international wholesale arm of global technology group e&, to deliver more secure, reliable, and higher-quality international voice services for customers worldwide, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), their families, and businesses that rely on seamless global communications. Through the partnership, Globe will strengthen its international network with advanced, AI-driven voice security technology that helps protect calls from fraud while improving service reliability for customers and global telecommunications partners.

The collaboration combines Globe's leadership in the Philippine market with e&'s extensive international footprint to enhance the quality, security, and resilience of international direct dialing (IDD) services. As global carrier relationships continue to evolve toward more integrated and technology-enabled models, the partnership aims to address growing challenges such as voice fraud, unauthorized traffic termination, and increasing demand for high-quality international connectivity.

At the core of the initiative is the integration of an advanced voice firewall into Globe's network. Powered by artificial intelligence, the solution enables real-time traffic monitoring, intelligent fraud detection, and advanced analytics to help safeguard network integrity while improving service reliability for international voice traffic.

The partnership also supports Globe's efforts to deliver better connectivity for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly in the Middle East, where e& has a strong presence. By strengthening international voice capabilities across key markets, Globe aims to provide more dependable communication services that help Filipinos stay connected with their families and communities.

"This partnership marks an important step in strengthening Globe's international voice business for the future," said Darius Delgado, Chief Commercial Officer of Globe. "By combining Globe's strong local market position with e&'s global reach and expertise, we are enhancing the security, quality, and reliability of international voice services for our partners and customers. More importantly, we are building a stronger foundation for innovation and long-term collaboration across the global telecommunications ecosystem."

For global carrier partners, the collaboration provides a more secure and transparent framework for managing international voice traffic, supported by real-time analytics and enhanced fraud protection. The model is designed to maximize the value of voice services while creating opportunities to expand collaboration as the digital communications landscape continues to evolve.

Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer of e&, said: “The agreement brings together Globe’s market reach with our international voice network, routing expertise and security capabilities. It will provide carrier partners with a secure and efficient route to the Globe network, supported by real-time monitoring and AI-enabled fraud detection. As international voice requirements continue to evolve, we will help Globe strengthen service quality, protect traffic and support future growth.”

The agreement is a significant milestone in Globe's broader strategy to build a more secure international connectivity ecosystem, supporting the evolving needs of carrier partners while delivering dependable communication experiences for subscribers worldwide.

For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph.