CryptoPH Weekly News Recap: Sep. 15 - 21, 2025

Pass the blockchain bill now.

Author

Michael Mislos
September 22, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

🌟 Editor's Note

Yesterday, Filipinos nationwide took to the streets to protest corruption within the government. Emotions were running high, and at least for a brief moment, I thought it might escalate. (It didn’t.)

People are demanding accountability and transparency. As cliche as it may sound for a publication that covers blockchain, blockchain really can help minimize corruption, if not eradicate it altogether. Still, just like in automated elections where the machines are secure but vote-buying happens before a ballot is cast, blockchain has a limitation: it can only record faithfully. What matters most is what we choose to put on the chain.

I hope that the lawmakers now advocating for blockchain would take that into account before their bills become law.

So before we go to the news recap, I would like to share this photo shared by Sen. Bam Aquino’s social media page:

“Pass the Blockchain The Budget Bill”

🧠 Top Story This Week

💡 Anti-Money Laundering Council: ₱125M Budget Falls Short for ICT & Blockchain Tools in 2026

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AML the Philippines’ primary agency responsible for implementing anti-money laundering laws and combating terrorism financing, told senators on September 15, 2025, that the ₱125 million set aside in the proposed 2026 budget for its cybersecurity and database systems would not be enough to procure ICT & blockchain tools vital for its operations.

During the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee A hearing, presided over by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, AMLC Executive Director Matthew David said the ₱125 million allocation includes funding for blockchain technology that AMLC plans to use in investigating money laundering and terrorism financing involving virtual assets.

David said the amount covers maintenance of existing systems such as databases, firewalls, and analytics software but falls short of what is needed to acquire blockchain tools.

In response to Senator Panfilo Lacson’s inquiry, David said they aim to procure the software by next year:

“What’s being procured is an ICT software, Mr. Chair, where we will have access to use that software in order for our investigators to investigate virtual assets that are part of our investigation for money laundering and terrorism.”

(Read the Full Article here.)

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🚀 Around the Country

  • Content creator Yskaela Fujimoto denied rug pull claims on her $YSKA token and said she donated rewards to charity.

  • Calamba Rep. Charisse Anne Hernandez filed HB 4611 requiring blockchain in the budget process for transparency and citizen engagement.

  • Rep. Miguel Luis Villafuerte said Bitcoin’s growth could help manage the Philippines’ ₱17T debt and strengthen financial resilience.

  • SPARK is offering free blockchain and crypto specialist training for CAR residents, with 5 days online and 15 days practicum to build in-demand skills.

Scene on the Ground

⛰️ Blockchain Tech Workshop at Western Leyte College

Paytaca successfully held a Blockchain Tech Workshop at Western Leyte College of Ormoc.

It is a 2-day workshop that aims to empower students with the fundamentals of blockchain technology.

⛰️ Upcoming: Token2049

BitPinas is a proud partner of Token2049! Head over to https://www.asia.token2049.com/ to secure a spot and use the code BITPINAS15 to get a 15% discount!

Flagship crypto industry conference TOKEN2049 is expected to host 25,000 participants at its upcoming event in Singapore on Oct. 1–2, organizers said. The event will take place at Marina Bay Sands.

Key Details:

  • More than 500 exhibitors are scheduled to participate.

  • Organizers said attendees will come from over 160 countries.

  • The event will include a 36-hour hackathon and a startup competition in partnership with Dragonfly, Pantera, and Maelstrom.

  • Around 1,000 related side events are planned across Singapore during the same week.

🗓️ Next Events!

Final words

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