Coinbase and Gemini Blocked in the Philippines Amid Crackdown on Unregistered Exchanges

ccn.comPublished on 2025-12-24Last updated on 2025-12-24

Abstract

The central bank of the Philippines (BSP) has ordered internet service providers to block access to unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges. Among the first to be affected are major global platforms Coinbase and Gemini. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) acted on a BSP directive that identified 50 unlicensed Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). This crackdown is part of the enforcement of the VASP licensing framework established by the BSP in 2021. Despite the regulations, many large offshore exchanges have not sought the necessary licenses to operate in the country. The action follows a similar block imposed on Binance in 2024. Other prominent exchanges on the regulator's list include OKX, Kraken, KuCoin, Bitget, and MEXC. As of now, only a few platforms, such as local exchanges Coins.ph and PDAX, are fully licensed to offer crypto services in the Philippines. Regulators have stated that foreign exchanges are welcome to apply for a license but must establish a local presence and comply with all regulatory requirements.

Key Takeaways
  • The central bank of the Philippines has moved to block access to unregistered crypto exchanges.
  • Coinbase and Gemini are among the first to be targeted.
  • The regulator has listed fifty non-compliant offshore exchanges.

Internet service providers (ISPs) in the Philippines blocked major crypto exchanges on Tuesday, Dec. 24, as regulators started to crack down on unregistered digital asset platforms.

Coinbase and Gemini are among the first casualties of a National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) order issued on Monday, Dec. 22, that listed 50 unlicensed virtual asset service providers (VASPs) identified by the country’s central bank (BSP).

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Central Bank Cracks Down on Unlicensed VASPs

The BSP first established a VASP licensing framework in February 2021, when it issued Circular No. 1108 .

However, as a small economy on the global stage, major crypto exchanges have shown little interest in securing the necessary permissions to operate in the Philippines.

The first high-profile enforcement action occurred in 2024, when the country’s central bank and securities regulator instructed the NTC to block access to Binance.

More than a year later, it appears that few global exchanges have learned from the Binance incident.

Platforms on the BCP’s naughty list include OKX, Kraken, KuCoin, Bitget, and MEXC.

As of Wednesday, local reports suggest Coinbase and Gemini are inaccessible via major ISPs.

Which Exchanges are Licensed in the Philippines?

As of 2025, only a small number of cryptocurrency exchanges are licensed to operate under the BSP’s VASP framework.

Among the most prominent are Coins.ph, the country’s largest and longest-running crypto platform, as well as PDAX, which has positioned itself as an institutional-friendly venue for peso-denominated crypto trading.

Meanwhile, none of the largest offshore global exchanges have secured the necessary VASP license.

Regulators have emphasized that foreign platforms remain welcome to apply.

However, they must establish a local presence and comply with licensing, capital, and anti-money laundering requirements before offering services to Filipino users.

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Related Questions

QWhy did the Philippines block access to Coinbase and Gemini?

AThe Philippines blocked access to Coinbase and Gemini because they are among the 50 unregistered Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) identified by the country's central bank (BSP) as part of a crackdown on unlicensed crypto exchanges.

QWhich regulatory body issued the order to block the unregistered crypto exchanges?

AThe National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued the order to block the unregistered crypto exchanges, acting on the list provided by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank.

QWhat is the name of the regulatory framework established by the BSP for crypto exchanges?

AThe regulatory framework established by the BSP is called the VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) licensing framework, which was first introduced in February 2021 with Circular No. 1108.

QName two cryptocurrency exchanges that are licensed to operate in the Philippines.

ATwo licensed cryptocurrency exchanges in the Philippines are Coins.ph, the country's largest platform, and PDAX, an institutional-friendly venue for peso-denominated crypto trading.

QWhat was the first major enforcement action taken against an unregistered exchange in the Philippines?

AThe first major enforcement action was in 2024 when the central bank and securities regulator instructed the NTC to block access to the Binance exchange.

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