From Worldcoin activities in Metro Manila to BitPinas Webcast

This article recaps some of the crypto news from the Philippines from last week April 14 – 20, 2025.

This week in crypto news from the Philippines, the Davao LGU hosted the ICP Code Camp 2024, training government developers in blockchain technology. Paytaca is partnering with Hiverooms to allow users to book hotels and rentals with Bitcoin Cash. The Philippine SEC also released a revised draft of its rules for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs).

Philippine LGU Trains Developers in Blockchain at ICP Code Camp 2024

The Davao City Local Government Unit (LGU) hosted the ICP Code Camp from April 7–11, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Building. The five-day immersive boot camp saw teams from various departments, including the HRMO, City IT Center, and City Mayor’s Office, transform into blockchain builders.

Beyond lectures, participants engaged in hands-on coding, creating smart contracts, pitching blockchain use cases, and even minting NFTs.

Key speakers included Ferdie James Nervida (cybersecurity), Churchill Brizuela (NFT Davao), and Rod and Ed Albores (ReverionTech), along with Eli Rabadon, ICP tech lead, who flew in from Manila for deep technical training.

Paytaca Partners with Hiverooms for Hotel and Rental Bookings with Bitcoin Cash

Bitcoin Cash ($BCH) platform Paytaca has partnered with Hiverooms, a Philippine startup offering a smart booking platform for hotels and rentals.

This integration allows users to book 38 active properties and pay directly with Bitcoin Cash.

Paytaca’s aim is to expand crypto adoption in the Philippines by enabling seamless integration with local services and businesses.

Earlier this year, Paytaca launched its own crypto-fiat gateway, simplifying the process for buying Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies.

Paytaca also recently partnered with the Blockchain Council of the Philippines to promote blockchain technology in the country.

PH CASP Draft Rules: 100 Million Capital, Stricter Compliance, and More Technical

The Philippine SEC has released a revised draft of its rules for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), now titled “SEC Guidelines on the Operation of Crypto-Assets Service Providers.”

The new draft, which is open for public feedback until April 26, 2025, features a minimum capital requirement of ₱100 million, stricter compliance and operational frameworks, and more technical documentation requirements for registration.

However, several previously broad policy sections, including explicit rules on advertising, insider trading, and ICO disclosures, have been removed in favor of more detailed technical rules and risk controls.

Interested parties can submit their feedback to the SEC’s PhiliFintech Innovation Office at BPI Tower, 678 Ramon Magsaysay Ave, Makati City.

The SEC’s move follows its recent cancellation of the registration applications for six CASPs due to insufficient documentation and a lack of clarity on the ultimate beneficial owners of the applied crypto-asset service providers.

Earlier this year, the SEC also updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on cryptocurrencies, providing guidance on topics such as taxation, AML regulations, and crypto terminology.

The regulator has been actively engaging in the crypto space, participating in events like the Philippine Blockchain Week (PBW) 2025 and the Intergovernmental Center for Interoperability Best Practices' (IGCI) Digital Identity and Self-Sovereign Identity (ID) Bootcamp.

Transcript: Donald Lim Keynote at PBW Press Launch

At the press launch of Philippine Blockchain Week (PBW) 2025, Donald Lim, COO of Dito CME and President of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, highlighted the growing involvement of the government in blockchain initiatives.

Lim also emphasized the importance of simplifying the technology to make it more accessible to the general public.

“We need to make it simple enough for everyone to understand, from housewives to government officials.”

He highlighted partnerships with agencies like the SEC and DBM in streamlining the registration process for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) and integrating blockchain into government services.

Lim stressed the need for collaboration among government, private sectors, and users to drive blockchain adoption, comparing its potential to the early days of the internet.

“We have a strong crypto community, a strong gaming community, and the support of key leaders like ICT Secretary Henry Aguda.”

Lim encouraged continued efforts to educate and unite stakeholders for a decentralized future through PBW 2025.

The press launch saw the unveiling of the official PBW 2025 logo and website, inviting individuals and organizations to join in shaping the agenda and activities for the upcoming event.

SparkPoint Named Arbitrum’s Official Ambassador in the Philippines

Crypto ecosystem enabler SparkPoint announced that it has been named as Arbit