Tighter rules from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will make crypto platforms more accountable, but they will not protect crypto users from every loss. That is the warning from Global Miranda Miner Group (GMMG), which says users need market literacy to go with regulation.
GMMG CEO Arlone Abello shares insights in a panel discussion on crypto identity, financial and market literacy
At The Crypto Roundtable on 30 September 2026, GMMG CEO Arlone Abello said regulatory oversight does not mean risk-free investing. Regulation can strengthen safeguards, he said, but it cannot by itself make people better investors. Without stronger financial literacy, market participants may still face losses even in a regulated market.
The warning matters because the number of users keeps growing. About 10% of Filipinos now use crypto, and users are projected to reach nearly 12.8 million this year. For many of them, crypto is one of their first experiences of investing. In a country where about 76% of the population is unbanked or underbanked, digital-first financial services are in demand, and new users may be learning about risk as they go.
The BSP’s draft circular, released for consultation earlier in September, would suspend new registrations of Operators of Payment Systems (OPS) for 12 months while the central bank reviews its licensing framework. It would also require payment firms to deal with regulated virtual asset service providers (VASPs) only through direct arrangements, with enhanced due diligence, monitoring, and transaction and settlement limits. GMMG supports these controls because they strengthen accountability and traceability.
Consumers should also be aware of market conditions. Total crypto market value recently climbed back above US3trillion,drivenbyBitcoinreachingaroundUS86,000, its highest level since late January. Open interest in perpetual futures neared US$160 billion, a sign that traders are taking on more leverage as activity picks up. More newcomers are likely to arrive during the upswing, which Abello said makes this the right time for the industry to invest in education.
[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
“Reaching this level of participation shows that crypto is no longer just a niche interest. As the ecosystem grows, users also need to become more disciplined in how they understand risks, manage exposure, and make decisions in the market,” Abello said.
GMMG said it will keep working with industry partners and regulators to expand education in technical analysis, risk management, market behavior and disciplined trading. Consumers who want to learn more can follow announcements about the next edition of The Crypto Roundtable, scheduled for November 2026, at globalmirandaminer.com.
The Crypto Roundtable brings together industry leaders and participants to discuss market literacy and the Philippine digital asset market