20 Unlicensed Crypto Exchanges Blocked in Philippines

On August 12, 2025, over 20 cryptocurrency exchanges vanished from the internet for millions of Filipino users. Not because they shut down globally, but because the Philippine government ordered internet providers to block them. No warning. No grace period. Just a hard stop. If you were using OKX, Bybit, KuCoin, or any of the other unregistered platforms, your app stopped working. Your browser showed an error. The connection was gone.

This wasn’t a random crackdown. It was the result of a carefully planned enforcement action led by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the government agency responsible for regulating securities and digital asset services in the Philippines. The SEC had been clear for months: if you want to serve Philippine users, you must register, put up PHP100 million in capital, and set up a physical office in the country. Twenty platforms ignored that rule. And now, they’re blocked.

Who Got Blocked? The Full List

The SEC didn’t just pick a few small players. They went after the biggest names in crypto. The 20 unlicensed exchanges blocked include:

• OKX
• Bybit
• Mexc
• KuCoin
• Bitget
• Phemex
• CoinEx
• BitMart
• Poloniex
• Kraken
• Binance
• Gate.io
• Huobi
• Bitfinex
• Upbit
• LBank
• Bitstamp
• Coinbase
• DigiFinex

Yes - even Coinbase a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange known for its compliance in Western markets was on the list. Why? Because it never applied for a Philippine license. Size doesn’t matter here. Only compliance does.

The list isn’t just about names. It’s about scale. These platforms collectively served over 15 million Filipino users. Many of them were young, first-time investors drawn in by TikTok ads and influencer promotions. Now, those users are left scrambling. Some switched to local licensed platforms. Others turned to VPNs. A few just gave up.

Why Did the Philippines Do This?

The answer is simple: investor protection.

In 2024, Binance was blocked after reports of customer funds disappearing during a liquidity crisis. That was a wake-up call. The SEC realized that offshore exchanges - no matter how big or popular - weren’t accountable to Philippine law. If a user lost money, there was no local court to file a complaint. No regulator to investigate. No money to recover.

So in July 2025, the SEC rolled out Memorandum Circular No. 4 and No. 5 binding regulations that define the legal requirements for Crypto Asset Service Providers operating in the Philippines. These rules forced every crypto platform to meet three hard requirements:

1. Register as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) a legally recognized entity under Philippine law that offers crypto trading, custody, or staking services
2. Hold at least PHP100 million (about $1.76 million) in capital reserves
3. Establish a physical office within the Philippines

That last one is critical. It means the SEC can show up at your office, inspect your books, and subpoena your records. No more hiding behind offshore servers.

They also required exchanges to keep customer funds completely separate from company money. No more mixing deposits with operational budgets. No more using user funds to cover losses. That rule was written after the collapse of FTX and other major exchanges.

The Role of Internet Providers

The SEC could issue warnings. But it couldn’t block websites on its own. That’s where the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) the government body that regulates telecommunications services in the Philippines came in.

On August 10, 2025, the NTC ordered all major internet service providers - including PLDT the largest telecommunications company in the Philippines, with ownership of Smart Communications and Globe Telecom - to block access to the 20 unlicensed platforms.

PLDT didn’t just flip a switch. They deployed advanced filtering systems that scanned millions of daily requests. Their cybersecurity team reported over 100 billion attempts to access malicious domains in the six months leading up to the block. The system didn’t just block URLs - it also caught domain variations and IP addresses tied to the platforms.

The move wasn’t popular with everyone. PLDT’s stock dropped 1.22% the day the blocks went live. Investors worried about backlash. But the company stood by the decision. "We are not choosing sides," said a spokesperson. "We are following the law."

What About Taxes?

The crackdown wasn’t just about licensing. The government also changed how crypto is taxed.

As of July 2025:

• Crypto-to-fiat sales are taxed at 15% capital gains
• Staking rewards and mining income are treated as taxable income
• Selling goods for crypto triggers 12% VAT
• Marketing crypto without an SEC license is illegal

That last one hit influencers hard. YouTubers and TikTokers who once pushed "earn crypto with no risk" schemes now face fines or even criminal charges. The SEC has already issued warnings to 37 content creators for promoting unlicensed platforms.

The goal? Make crypto transparent. Make it traceable. Make it accountable.

What Happened to the Exchanges?

Most of the blocked platforms didn’t respond. They didn’t apply for licenses. They didn’t open offices. They didn’t raise capital.

Some tried to spin it as censorship. OKX posted a blog titled "We Still Serve Our Users." Kraken said they "respect local laws but will continue to serve global markets." Neither mentioned the Philippines.

Only one exchange - Coins.ph a Philippine-based digital wallet and crypto exchange licensed by the SEC - saw a surge in users. It was already registered. It had its office in Manila. It had its capital in place. Within two weeks of the block, its user base grew by 42%.

It’s clear now: the Philippines isn’t trying to kill crypto. It’s trying to clean it up.

Can People Still Use These Exchanges?

Technically, yes. But it’s harder.

Some users turned to VPNs virtual private networks that mask a user’s location and allow access to blocked websites. Others switched to peer-to-peer (P2P) trading on Telegram or WhatsApp. A few even used decentralized exchanges like Uniswap.

But here’s the catch: using a VPN doesn’t make you legal. The SEC still considers you a user of an unlicensed platform. If you’re caught trading on a blocked exchange, you’re still at risk - especially if you’re making large transactions or promoting it to others.

And here’s the bigger problem: without a licensed platform, you have no recourse if something goes wrong. No chargeback. No customer service. No legal protection.

What’s Next?

The SEC has said this is just the beginning.

They’re now working with banks to track crypto transactions. They’re building a public registry of licensed CASPs. They’re training police to investigate crypto fraud. And they’re preparing to shut down mobile apps on Google Play and Apple App Store that don’t comply.

Other countries are watching. Thailand blocked five exchanges in May 2025. Indonesia raised its offshore crypto tax to 1%. Singapore tightened its licensing rules. The Philippines didn’t invent this approach - but it executed it faster and more decisively than most.

For Filipino investors, the message is clear: if you want to trade crypto, do it on a platform that’s licensed, local, and accountable. The rest? They’re not worth the risk.

Final Thought

The Philippines didn’t ban crypto. It banned recklessness.

Before 2025, anyone could set up a crypto website, run ads on Instagram, and take money from unsuspecting Filipinos. No license. No audit. No accountability. Now, if you want to operate here, you have to play by local rules - just like banks, insurers, and stockbrokers.

It’s not perfect. VPNs still work. Some users still find ways around the blocks. But the message is out: if you’re not licensed, you’re not welcome. And for millions of Filipinos who lost money in past scams, that’s a good thing.