BSP: Apple Pay could launch in the Philippines anytime

BSP says that Apple can anytime become official in the Philippines.

Apple Pay Logo

More seamless payment options in PH soon?

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has given Apple Pay the regulatory green light to launch in the country, confirming the service is classified as a technology provider, not a payment system operator.

Since they do not hold funds or perform settlement, they are not required to register as an Operator of a Payment System (OPS) with the BSP," the central bank clarified. Their role is to provide the technological infrastructure that links existing payment cards and accounts to merchants.

This places Apple Pay in the same category as Google Pay, which launched via Google Wallet last November.

The decision means the timeline for the much-anticipated service is now entirely in Apple's hands. The tech giant has yet to announce an official launch date for the Philippines.

The report follows an earlier industry note that Apple Pay is targeting a launch in the third quarter of 2026. The timeline is intended to provide local banks with sufficient time to complete the necessary technical integrations. According to Lito Villanueva, founding chairman of Fintech Alliance PH, the goal is to ensure all key banking players can be onboarded for a comprehensive rollout.

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