Internet service providers in the Philippines have started blocking access to major crypto exchanges Coinbase and Gemini, following regulatory orders aimed at unlicensed virtual asset service providers. The move reflects a shift from informal tolerance toward stricter enforcement of local licensing requirements for crypto platforms serving Philippine users.
Local media reported the blocks were ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas flagged dozens of online trading platforms operating without authorization. While regulators did not publish a full list, the action underscores that market access is increasingly contingent on compliance with domestic regulatory frameworks.
The enforcement follows earlier measures against Binance and comes as regulators seek to channel crypto activity toward licensed providers. At the same time, compliant firms are expanding crypto services through partnerships with banks and payment providers, reinforcing a regulatory approach that favors supervised market participation over unrestricted access.
