Philippine gov't blocks unlicensed crypto exchange sites, Binance unaffected

Binance is still accessible in the country even after the three-month countdown that the Philippine SEC set for banning the crypto trading platform.

The Philippine National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has started to block websites of crypto companies offering investment products in the country without the necessary licenses.

On March 7, local media outlet Bitpinas reported that the websites of crypto firms MiTrade and OctaFX were now inaccessible in the country. The NTC issued an order on Feb. 21 to internet service providers to block applications and websites of MiTrade for violating regulations enforced by the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Excerpt from the official announcement from the Philippine government. Source: Bitpinas

The NTC‘s action follows a request from the SEC to begin blocking websites of crypto platforms operating without a license in the country. In a press release, the Philippine SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino said that the NTC’s action will help prevent investment scams in the country. Aquino said:

“The SEC and NTC will continue to work closely together to take similar actions on other platforms facilitating illegal investment-taking activities and other predatory financial schemes.”

Aquino also highlighted that the NTCs actions support their efforts against “predatory financial schemes” and protect investors in the country.

While the NTC started to block unlicensed crypto trading platforms, the Binance exchange remains accessible in the country, according to the report. On a Dec. 13 panel, SEC commissioner Kelvin Lee said that the Binance ban in the country would come into effect three months after it was issued on Nov. 29, suggesting that Binance should have been banned on Feb. 29. However, a statement from the SEC made it unclear when it would be proceeding with a Binance ban.

On Feb. 28, an SEC spokesperson told local media they were looking into the potential effects of a Binance ban in the country. They wrote:

“The SEC is currently evaluating all possible ramifications of the blocking, including implications to Filipino customer funds. We are also working with other government agencies on the procedure of restraining unregistered entities operations in the Philippines.”

On Nov. 28, the SEC issued a warning against Binance, telling investors in the country that the trading platform is not authorized to offer securities in the country. The announcement highlighted that Binance should apply for registration in the country and provide sufficient information about the securities it offers.