Is Binance available in the Philippines?
Binance does not hold a licence to operate in the Philippines and its access was restricted by the authorities in 2024. A return is being explored through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulatory sandbox and a local partnership, but it is not fully operational, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has flagged a missing virtual asset service provider licence. Treat availability as unclear and verify before acting.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
How we checked this. We set this status by reading the platform's own terms of use and country eligibility, and the public register kept by the named regulator, then dated the result. Availability can change, so confirm directly with the platform and the regulator before acting. As of 26 June 2026.
As of 26 June 2026, the availability of Binance in the Philippines is unclear. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) moved to restrict access to Binance in 2024 over the lack of local authorisation, and the platform was removed from major app stores. Binance is reported to be pursuing a return through the SEC regulatory sandbox and a partnership with a local firm, but neither holds a virtual asset service provider licence and Philippine peso services remain restricted, so confirm the current position with the SEC and the BSP before acting.
Availability for residents of the Philippines
As of 26 June 2026, the position of Binance in the Philippines is unclear. The two relevant authorities are the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which oversees securities and crypto asset service rules, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank, which licenses virtual asset service providers.
In 2024 the SEC and the BSP moved to restrict access to Binance because it offered services without local authorisation. Access to the platform was blocked and Binance was removed from major app stores in the country. Some residents have continued to reach the platform by other means, but the official position has been that Binance was operating without the required licence.
More recently Binance has been reported to be pursuing a return through the SEC regulatory sandbox and a partnership with a local company. As of 26 June 2026 this route is developing rather than complete: neither party is reported to hold a virtual asset service provider licence, a moratorium on new such licences has been in place, and Philippine peso services remain restricted. Because the facts are moving and contested, treat availability as unclear and confirm it directly.
Authorisation, the sandbox, and peso services
Binance is a custodial platform, which means it holds the assets in your account on your behalf rather than giving you the private keys. Owning crypto is not banned for individuals in the Philippines, but the platform itself has lacked the local authorisation the regulators expect, which is the heart of the issue on this page.
A regulatory sandbox lets a firm test services under supervision before full authorisation, and reports point to testing phases rather than a finished licence. Handling Philippine pesos generally needs a virtual asset service provider licence from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which has not been granted here. Confirm the current status with the SEC and the BSP, and do not assume full availability.
How crypto is taxed in the Philippines
Crypto can be taxable in the Philippines. Income and gains may fall within the rules administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and treatment depends on whether activity is treated as trading, business income, or investment. There is no special exemption that removes crypto from tax simply because it is digital.
Rules and interpretations change and depend on personal circumstances, so confirm the current treatment with a qualified Philippine tax adviser or the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). See the Philippines crypto tax page for a fuller explanation. This is general information, not tax advice (as of 26 June 2026).
Regulator and sources
The relevant authorities are the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank that licenses virtual asset service providers. The position below is stated as of 26 June 2026 and should be confirmed on the primary sources.
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), advisories on Binance and the crypto asset service provider framework.
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), rules and licensing for virtual asset service providers.
- Reporting that the SEC and the BSP moved to restrict access to Binance in 2024 and that it was removed from major app stores.
- Reporting in 2026 that Binance is pursuing a return through the SEC regulatory sandbox and a local partnership, with a virtual asset service provider licence still outstanding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Binance available in the Philippines?
As of 26 June 2026, this is unclear. The authorities restricted access to Binance in 2024 over the lack of local authorisation, and a reported return through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sandbox is developing rather than complete. Confirm the current position before acting.
Why was Binance blocked in the Philippines?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Binance was offering services without the required local authorisation. Access was restricted in 2024 and the platform was removed from major app stores.
Is Binance coming back to the Philippines?
Binance is reported to be pursuing a return through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulatory sandbox and a local partnership. As of 26 June 2026 this is not complete, a virtual asset service provider licence is still outstanding, and peso services remain restricted.
Is it legal to own crypto in the Philippines?
Owning crypto is not banned for individuals in the Philippines. The issue on this page is that the Binance platform has lacked the local authorisation the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expect, not whether owning crypto is allowed.
Can I use Philippine pesos on Binance?
Peso services have been restricted because handling Philippine pesos generally needs a virtual asset service provider licence from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which has not been granted here. Confirm the current position with the BSP.
How is crypto taxed in the Philippines?
Crypto can be taxable under the rules of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), depending on whether activity is trading, business, or investment. See the Philippines crypto tax page. This is general information, not tax advice.
Rules change frequently. The position of Binance in the Philippines is contested and moving, with a possible return through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sandbox still in progress. The position on this page is dated 26 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the SEC and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) before you act.
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