Apple Pay and Google Pay are now clear to roll out in the Philippines without securing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) registration. BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan clarified that the two platforms are not considered operators of payment systems (OPS) since they will not hold funds for Filipino users. Instead, they’ll function purely as technology service providers, linking users’ debit, credit, or e-wallet accounts to enable tap-to-pay transactions via NFC-enabled devices. “They’ll just read the credentials; the money doesn’t pass through them,” Tangonan explained, emphasizing that accountability still falls on the payment service providers (PSPs) such as banks and e-money issuers. This move comes as BSP data shows digital payments in 2024 hit 57.4% of monthly retail transactions—well above the government’s target under the Philippine Development Plan. With this clearance, Filipino users may soon enjoy Apple Pay and Google Pay support. The platform has since expanded into a broader digital financial ecosystem offering payments, lending, and other financial services to consumers, merchants, and enterprise partners. Read more in our articles including "Apple Pay, Google Pay can launch in PH without BSP registration" and "realme C100, C100i now official, specs and price in the Philippines".
Apple Pay and Google Pay are now clear to roll out in the Philippines without securing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) registration. BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan clarified that the two platforms are not considered operators of payment systems (OPS) since they will not hold funds for Filipino users.
Instead, they’ll function purely as technology service providers, linking users’ debit, credit, or e-wallet accounts to enable tap-to-pay transactions via NFC-enabled devices. “They’ll just read the credentials; the money doesn’t pass through them,” Tangonan explained, emphasizing that accountability still falls on the payment service providers (PSPs) such as banks and e-money issuers. This move comes as BSP data shows digital payments in 2024 hit 57.4% of monthly retail transactions—well above the government’s target under the Philippine Development Plan.
Our coverage of Google Pay in PH includes: "Apple Pay, Google Pay can launch in PH without BSP registration"; "realme C100, C100i now official, specs and price in the Philippines"; "BSP warns of accountability after BPI outage". Each article provides unique insights and information.