BPI tests stablecoin system for $40B Philippines remittance market. Key highlights. Table of Contents * Bank of the Philippine Islands initiates stablecoin trial for international payment settlements. * Meridian supplies blockchain settlement technology for regulated financial transfers. * Program focuses on overseas workers, freelancers, and payroll disbursements. * Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas provides regulatory supervision with transparency requirements. * Full-scale implementation expected ahead of November 2026 ASEAN Summit. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has initiated a stablecoin-based settlement trial for international payment processing within the Philippines. The program prioritizes accelerated disbursement of payroll and remittance funds for recipients earning overseas income. BPI collaborates with Meridian on this regulated trial, with plans to broaden availability throughout the current year. BPI deploys stablecoin technology for international payment processing. The trial specifically serves freelancers, virtual assistants, and Philippine nationals working abroad who receive international compensation. The platform employs stablecoins as an intermediary settlement mechanism before exchanging funds into peso denomination. Subsequently, beneficiaries obtain direct deposits into their BPI banking accounts via established banking infrastructure. Meridian engineered the settlement platform in partnership with BPI for cross-border transaction processing. The initiative aims to minimize transaction expenses and accelerate settlement durations versus conventional correspondent banking networks. The financial institution maintains coordination with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas across all implementation phases. The trial commences in July and accommodates payroll transactions alongside additional overseas earnings. BPI targets comprehensive implementation prior to the 49th ASEAN Summit scheduled for November 2026. Consequently, the institution aims to showcase blockchain settlement capabilities within a compliant banking environment. BSP oversight guides BPI stablecoin implementation. The central banking authority oversees the trial under current digital asset regulatory frameworks. Consumer safeguards, reserve disclosure, and compliance protocols will determine future expansion decisions. Additionally, stablecoin settlement operations will require ongoing regulatory authorization throughout the scaling phase. This initiative arrives following recent modifications to Philippine virtual asset governance. In June, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas enhanced registration criteria for authorized virtual asset service providers. These regulations mandate evaluations addressing transparency standards, liquidity metrics, legal adherence, reserve composition, and redemption protocols. Meanwhile, the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission advances its Strategic Regulatory Sandbox program. This framework permits approved organizations to trial tokenized financial instruments under regulatory monitoring. Nevertheless, sandbox enrollment does not substitute for licensing obligations enforced by the central banking authority. Initiative addresses Philippine remittance market demands. The Philippines represents a leading global remittance destination with yearly transfers nearing $40 billion. Freelance workers and overseas employees frequently encounter transaction charges and settlement delays through traditional payment channels. Therefore, BPI pursues enhanced payment performance while preserving existing customer banking experiences. This program aligns with expanding stablecoin integration throughout Philippine financial services. Throughout 2024, Coins.ph extended its peso-pegged PHPC stablecoin onto the Ronin blockchain network. That initiative enabled blockchain-powered transfers, whereas BPI concentrates on regulated banking settlements for international earnings. Distinct from cryptocurrency-focused payment services, BPI integrates stablecoins within conventional banking frameworks. Transactions process through blockchain settlement infrastructure before peso conversion and account funding. Ultimately, BPI pursues expedited processing while preserving banking protections and regulatory adherence for international payment flows.

RCBC launches its Pulz App US Virtual Account. From L-R: Commission on Filipino Overseas Usec Ma. Arlene Borja, RCBC President and CEO Reggie Cariaso, Meridian CEO Will Haering, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, RCBC EVP and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva, Meridian President Bradley Riss, and US Embassy Senior Commercial Officer Paul Taylor. - ED G. GERONIA Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has partnered with Meridian, a global based payments networking provider, to launch its newest digital banking product, the RCBC Pulz App US Virtual Account. Using the app, customers can open and manage a US dollar virtual account even without a US address, residency, and social security number. At the launch event held at the Y Space Museum in RCBC Plaza in Makati last November 7, RCBC President and CEO Reggie Cariaso said that "We are enabling every Filipino, whether a freelancer or an entrepreneur, to connect directly to the US economy. This is financial inclusion made real." Through the Pulz App, users can have access to their US account in their own name so they can receive domestic payments from any US-based bank. As a cross-border payment solution, the Pulz App US Virtual account simplifies the process of accepting payments and reduces costly transaction fees. Also present at the launch was Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda who expressed support for the app. "This initiative makes global financial inclusion fully within the reach of every Filipino wherever they may be," he said. Speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, Mr. Aguda also mentioned that there are almost five million OFWs in the US who don't have credit history and may not have a bank account even if they remit money. Through the app, they now have financial inclusion in their host country. In his speech, RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer, Lito Villanueva also said, "We're not just digitizing existing services, we're redesigning how money moves across borders. The RCBC Pulz App US Virtual Account embodies our commitment to building a more inclusive, tech-driven, and borderless financial ecosystem." Beginning November 11, RCBC Pulz App users can create a US virtual account so they can receive payments and earnings in US dollars which can be easily converted into Philippine pesos (PHP). The virtual account has a monthly aggregate limit of $10,000 per month. - EGG