Back
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas bars privacy tokens from licensed crypto platforms

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas bars privacy tokens from licensed crypto platforms

New June 15 guidelines require Philippine-licensed VASPs to perform strict due diligence before listing crypto assets and to monitor holdings for risks that could trigger delisting.

XMR
ZEC

Fact Check
Multiple sources, including the primary Philippine business press, confirm the claim. The Philippine Star explicitly states that under the BSP memorandum, 'the offering of anonymity-enhancing virtual assets, also known as privacy virtual assets, is prohibited from being listed or supported by VASPs.' The Inquirer independently confirms the specific instrument—Memorandum No. M-2026-023, approved June 5, 2026—and its due-diligence requirements. WuBlockchain (citing Philippine Star) and crypto trade outlets corroborate. The convergence of authoritative national press and the specific memorandum number provides high confidence the claim is accurate.
Summary

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on June 15 issued new virtual asset guidelines that require licensed virtual asset service providers to conduct strict due diligence before listing or trading crypto assets. The rules ban privacy coins such as Monero and Zcash on compliant platforms and require ongoing monitoring, with delisting triggers tied to liquidity, security, disclosure, or fraud risks. The measures sharpen oversight of the Philippines' regulated digital-asset market, raising compliance obligations for exchanges and further limiting the range of tokens available on officially authorized venues.

Terms & Concepts
  • virtual asset service providers: Licensed firms that offer services involving crypto assets, such as trading or custody.
  • privacy coins: Crypto assets designed to make transaction details harder to trace.
  • delisting: The removal of an asset from a trading platform so it can no longer be traded there.