The Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has embarked on full-scale regulation of its rapidly growing digital asset industry. The SEC recently announced a draft of strict operating guidelines for Cryptocurrency Asset Service Providers (CASPs), signaling a tightening of regulations for cryptocurrency trading service providers within the Philippines.

The draft "SEC Guidelines on the Operations of Cryptocurrency Asset Service Providers (CASP Guidelines)" specifies strict conditions for businesses that offer cryptocurrencies as subject of trade within the Philippines. A particularly notable aspect is the mandatory requirement for companies seeking CASP registration to have a minimum paid-up capital of 100 million pesos (approximately 2.3 billion Korean won). However, the SEC is also open to the possibility of registration exemptions considering the circumstances of the company and public interest.

The SEC, through its Fintech Innovation Office, has released the draft guidelines and will be accepting feedback from stakeholders until April 26th. The SEC emphasized that all entities within the Philippines that offer digital assets as part of their services must comply with the CASP regulations once finalized. This public consultation period is considered a crucial step before the guidelines are finalized and officially adopted.

The SEC's move is interpreted as an attempt to attract only financially sound companies into the digital asset ecosystem, thereby increasing market stability and protecting investors. The draft guidelines emphasize that they go beyond simply meeting the minimum capital requirement. Applicant companies must demonstrate the ability to continue their business, the capacity to fulfill their obligations, and sufficient resources to cover foreseeable or contingent liabilities. This indicates that the SEC will consider a company's financial resilience and long-term viability as important evaluation criteria.

To register as a CASP, an entity must be a corporation duly registered with the SEC, with its primary business purpose clearly related to digital asset services as stated in its articles of incorporation. The application process requires the submission of various documents according to CASP Form 1. This includes the criteria for the listing and delisting of digital assets, trading and disclosure rules, business conduct policies, authorization for the SEC to verify bank accounts, and a detailed technical description of software, hardware, and communication infrastructure.

In addition, information on the custodian or registrar of digital assets, a board resolution approving the application, resumes of key management and IT personnel, copies of relevant licenses and agreements, a comprehensive risk disclosure matrix, and documents related to the company's independent risk control department are also subject to submission.

Furthermore, applicant companies must submit a business plan detailing their marketing and financial strategies, proof of fee payment, transaction clearing and settlement procedures, and a commitment from senior management regarding active risk management oversight.

While establishing strict registration guidelines, the SEC has also provided for exceptions. Section 3 of the draft guidelines states, "The Commission, after receiving an application for exemption from CASP registration, may issue an order granting the exemption if it determines that such exemption is consistent with public interest and the protection of investors." This means that the SEC retains the discretion to exempt certain applicants from full compliance with the regulations based on public interest considerations.

However, registration exemption is not automatic and requires a formal application process. The current draft guidelines do not specifically list the types of companies that may be eligible for exemption, and it appears that decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The proposed CASP guidelines also clarify that they do not encroach upon the authority of other regulatory bodies, such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which oversees certain aspects of digital asset-related activities. This suggests that digital asset businesses in the Philippines will operate under a multi-layered regulatory structure, subject to compliance with various sets of regulations depending on the nature of their operations.

The Philippine SEC's move to regulate the digital asset industry aligns with the global trend of strengthening consumer protection and market integrity. The high capital requirement is likely to drive out companies with insufficient capital and accelerate the restructuring of the industry around more established players.

However, the flexibility of registration exemptions could positively impact innovative or smaller companies that can demonstrate responsible operations consistent with public interest and investor protection. This dual approach of strict basic requirements and justified exceptions could contribute to creating a more stable yet dynamic digital asset environment in the Philippines.

After the public consultation period, the SEC will review the submitted comments and finalize the guidelines. According to the effectivity clause of the draft guidelines, the circular will take effect 30 days after its publication in two major newspapers of general circulation. This regulatory introduction is expected to significantly shape the future of digital asset regulation in the Philippines and have a substantial impact on the operations of service providers and the way investors participate in digital assets.