Maya Bank president and CEO Angelo Madrid says ASEAN’s next phase of financial inclusion will depend on stronger shared digital infrastructure, clear and predictable regulation, competitive markets, and consumer protections that allow digital financial services to remain accessible and sustainable.
A smartphone can now do more of the work of a traditional payment terminal.
Visa and UMSI have launched U Accept, allowing eligible MSMEs to receive contactless card payments and pay-by-link transactions through the uGrow app, without requiring a conventional POS device.
Opening a financial account is only the beginning.
Maya says the next stage of financial inclusion should focus on whether people can actually save more, access responsible credit, grow a business, and better withstand financial emergencies, with data, AI, and better product design playing a larger role.
Apple Pay is now available in the Philippines for eligible Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Cardholders can add supported cards to Apple Wallet and make contactless, in-app, and online payments through an iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac, with transactions protected by device authentication, dynamic security codes, and tokenized card information.
Business owners need faster access to the right financial information.
EastWest’s new ECHO AI chatbot helps entrepreneurs explore cash management solutions for collections, payments, payroll, and cash flow, then connects them with a bank representative for more personalized support.
GCash users will soon have another way to pay without topping up their wallets first.
A new Visa and GCash link-and-pay feature will allow eligible Visa cards to fund QR transactions directly, with each payment protected by biometric authentication through Visa Payment Passkey.
Building trust in digital assets requires more than technology.
BlockShoals Technologies has joined FinTech Alliance PH, bringing its compliance-first approach to industry initiatives covering consumer protection, financial education, digital payments, and inclusive finance in the Philippines.
BPI is preparing to pilot a digital asset-to-peso remittance rail using stablecoin settlement in partnership with Meridian. The initiative will initially focus on payroll credits for freelancers, virtual assistants, and other informal economy workers, with the goal of making cross-border payments faster and more efficient while maintaining regulatory compliance and consumer protection.
Cross-border payments are becoming more seamless for businesses in Southeast Asia.
Fiuu has secured a JCB Direct Acquiring license covering Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, allowing merchants to accept JCB cards through a more direct and efficient payment infrastructure as the fintech company continues its regional expansion.