Dash eyes Philippines as market for crypto payments

Dash is exploring the Philippines as a potential market for crypto payments, citing demand for lower-cost transactions and the country's openness to digital finance tools. 

In an interview with Cointelegraph at the Philippine Blockchain Week 2026, Daria Chernozub, global adoption lead at Dash Blockchain, said the project focuses on emerging markets where users face high fees and need simpler payment options. 

“We believe that Dash brings the technology and the payment solutions for people who are suffering from high commissions [and] who need something easy to use,” Chernozub said, adding that the Philippines fits that profile because consumers are open to learning about new technologies.

She said Dash is still assessing the local market and prioritizing legal compliance before any launch. She said Dash had begun communicating with major market participants and had prepared a legal opinion letter for discussions with regulatory and financial industry bodies.

Dash’s assessment comes as the Philippines seeks to attract foreign technology companies, though industry participants say the regulatory process for crypto firms remains significantly more demanding than basic corporate registration. 

Daria Chernozub (left) with Cointelegraph’s Ezra Reguerra (right) at the Philippine Blockchain Week. Source: Daria Chernozub

Corporate registration takes minutes, crypto compliance can take years 

Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner (SEC) Rogelio Quevedo told Cointelegraph during an interview at Philippine Blockchain Week 2026 that foreign investors can register a corporation online from anywhere in the world in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Quevedo said the government is ready to assist foreign investors and described the SEC’s online registration system as part of the agency’s broader push toward digitization and innovation. His comments suggest that formally setting up a local entity has become easier, though crypto companies may still face additional licensing and compliance requirements before operating. 

Related: Dash Evolution chain integrates Zcash Orchard privacy pool

Marie Antonette Quiogue, BlockShoals’ head of legal and CEO of Arden Consult, told Cointelegraph in a separate interview at the event that the SEC has created a framework for foreign crypto exchanges willing to enter a regulated environment.

Quiogue said the regulated path comes with significant obligations and pointed to the roughly two years BlockShoals spent developing its arrangement with Binance.

Beyond regulation, Quiogue said the Philippines’ young population, high mobile usage and widespread English proficiency could help attract overseas crypto companies.

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