Philippines to License 25 Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Economic Zone

On June 27th, 2018, the Philippine government announced they will license up to 25 cryptocurrency exchanges for operation in a special economic zone.

In their statement, the administrative body of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority announced the initial authorization for each of the 25 exchanges to employ up to 30 traders or brokers.

The exchanges will operate in the tax-friendly CEZA and Freeport - a government-controlled and sanctioned center in the Philippines' northern Luzon region.

To qualify, each exchange will be subject to a "Probity and integrity check" by the authority and will be required to invest at least $1 million over the next two years.

"There are many operating scammers who put an exchange with very little capital and they are victimizing investors. We do not want the Philippines to be a haven even if these scams are happening abroad.".

Once established, the exchanges will be monitored by CEZA for compliance - requiring all affiliated ICOs to have their tokens "Asset-backed".

Twenty-one foreign blockchain and cryptocurrency firms including South Korea's Hanwha Group, and China's Changwei International Co. signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CEZA. With the publication of "Guidelines for Virtual Currency Exchanges" in February 2017 - the Philippines appears to be asserting its position as an attractive destination for foreign corporations as the CEZA chief is already eyeing the Cagayan zone as the "Silicon Valley of Asia".

While the exchanges' profits may not benefit the Philippines' economy directly, Lambino envisages the move as bringing "Employment opportunities" and "Boosting job growth".

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