Projected Market Growth and Adoption
A new study projects the Philippines could build a $60 billion market for blockchain-based investment products within five years. The Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX) released the white paper alongside Saison Capital and Onigiri Capital.
Project Bayani envisions millions of Filipinos accessing stocks, bonds, and funds through tokenized versions rather than traditional financial channels. The country's existing mobile wallet infrastructure could enable rapid adoption without building new systems.
Public equities may reach $26 billion in tokenized form by decade's end, with government bonds hitting $24 billion and mutual funds adding $6 billion. These projections assume continued growth in an economy where nearly half the population lacked bank access as recently as August.
Leveraging Existing Infrastructure and User Base
PDAX founder Nichel Gaba highlighted the country's advantage in existing blockchain wallet adoption. Major platforms including GCash, PDAX, Maya, and Coins.ph already offer crypto features to millions of users, providing distribution channels for regulated investment products.
Current crypto ownership stands at 14% of the population, far exceeding stock ownership at 2.4%, bonds under 1%, and mutual fund participation. This gap suggests significant potential for rapid conversion to tokenized traditional assets.
Successful Implementation and Future Potential
PDAX and GCash have already reduced the minimum government bond investment to 500 pesos, approximately $8.50. Demonstrating a clear demand for accessible digital investment products, nearly half of all government bond accounts now hold tokenized versions.
The Bureau of the Treasury partnered with PDAX and GCash to distribute tokenized bonds nationwide. Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza stated that the initiative brings government securities directly to citizens through mobile devices.
The program aims to expand financial inclusion by removing traditional barriers to investment access. The projected $60 billion tokenization opportunity positions the Philippines as a potential Southeast Asian leader in digital asset adoption.
Combining widespread blockchain infrastructure, high crypto familiarity, and government backing creates favorable conditions for scaling tokenized products quickly. The PDAX partnership with payment platforms illustrates how digital asset systems can integrate with existing financial networks to reach underserved populations and democratize access to investment opportunities previously limited to wealthy individuals.