The Philippine crypto market is maturing, and its trading community wants education to mature with it. Global Miranda Miner Group (GMMG) said on 30 September 2026 that it welcomes the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) proposed freeze on new payment system operator registrations and its tighter controls on virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
The numbers frame the story. About 10% of Filipinos now use crypto, and users are projected to reach nearly 12.8 million this year. Total crypto market value recently climbed back above US3trillion,withBitcoinreachingaroundUS86,000, its highest level since late January. Open interest in perpetual futures neared US$160 billion, which points to traders taking on more leverage as activity picks up.
GMMG CEO Arlone Abello shares insights in a panel discussion on crypto identity, financial and market literacy
The BSP’s draft circular would suspend new registrations of Operators of Payment Systems (OPS) for 12 months 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. The circular was released for consultation earlier in September.
Arlone Abello, CEO of GMMG and Founding Chairman of the Innovative Movement of the Philippine Association of Crypto Traders (IMPACT), gave the community’s view at The Crypto Roundtable, where he was joined by John Garcia of GCash, Alden Yburan of GCrypto and Patrick Lao of PDAX. “They are what happens when an industry grows up,” Abello said of the BSP’s proposed measures.
[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
He was clear about the limits of regulation. Oversight does not mean risk-free investing, and without stronger financial literacy, market participants may still face losses even in a regulated market. Abello also noted that the market has changed since the play-to-earn boom, with traders moving across from gold and equities, professionals applying familiar investment approaches to crypto, and younger Filipinos building crypto into their wider financial plans.
With more newcomers likely to arrive during the upswing, Abello said this is the right time for the industry to invest in education. GMMG will continue working with industry partners and regulators to expand education in technical analysis, risk management, market behavior and disciplined trading. The next edition of The Crypto Roundtable will be held in November 2026, and details are available at globalmirandaminer.com.
The Crypto Roundtable brings together industry leaders and participants to discuss market literacy and the Philippine digital asset market