The Philippines Securities and Trade Fee (SEC) has issued an advisory naming 10 main crypto exchanges, together with OKX, Bybit, KuCoin, Kraken and others, for working with out the required authorization below the nation’s new crypto rules.
The alert, revealed on Monday, warns that the platforms proceed to supply or promote crypto companies to Philippine customers regardless of missing registration below SEC Memorandum Circulars No. 4 and No. 5, which took impact on July 5, 2025.
“These platforms don’t have any license, registration, or authorization from the SEC to function within the Philippines or to solicit investments from the general public,” the alert stated. “Their actions are unauthorized and expose Filipino buyers to vital danger,” it added.
Different exchanges flagged within the advisory additionally embody MEXC, Bitget, Phemex, CoinEx, BitMart and Poloniex. In accordance with the SEC, these exchanges stay accessible within the nation, with most sustaining an lively native advertising and marketing presence.
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Extra crypto violators seemingly, says SEC
The SEC famous that the checklist might not embody all violators and that different platforms offering related companies with out correct registration or approval are additionally thought of to be in breach of Philippine securities legal guidelines.
The alert stated the foundations apply to “any particular person or entity that gives, promotes, or facilitates entry to crypto-asset buying and selling venues or intermediation companies reminiscent of shopping for, promoting, and derivatives buying and selling of crypto-assets.”
The SEC warned it will pursue authorized and regulatory motion, together with stop and desist orders and legal complaints towards these platforms. The regulator additionally stated it will work with tech platforms reminiscent of Google, Apple and Meta to limit unauthorized advertising and marketing actions.
Final 12 months, the Philippines SEC directed Google and Apple to take down Binance’s app from their respective shops for customers within the nation, citing issues over investor safety. The regulator despatched letters to each firms, urging them to dam entry to Binance apps in native marketplaces.
Cointelegraph reached out to the Philippines SEC, in addition to main exchanges OKX, Bybit, KuCoin, Kraken and MEXC, for remark, however had not obtained a response by publication.
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Southeast Asia tightens guidelines on offshore exchanges
The Philippines just isn’t the one Southeast Asian nation cracking down on unregistered crypto platforms. Indonesia and Thailand have additionally launched stricter guidelines this 12 months focusing on offshore exchanges that function with out native licenses.
In Might, Thailand’s SEC ordered the blocking of 5 crypto exchanges, together with Bybit and OKX, as a part of efforts to fight unlawful platforms and cash laundering. The company suggested buyers to withdraw their property from these platforms earlier than the shutdown.
In the meantime, Indonesia has tightened its crypto tax coverage, sharply elevating charges on overseas platforms. Earnings tax on home trade transactions elevated from 0.1% to 0.21%, whereas trades on offshore platforms now face a fivefold hike, from 0.2% to 1%.
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