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Philippines’ central bank greenlights pilot for Peso-backed stablecoin

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Philippines’ central bank greenlights pilot for Peso-backed stablecoin
  • BSP approves pilot for PHPC, a Peso-backed stablecoin, in collaboration with Coins.ph.
  • Sandbox testing to evaluate PHPC’s real-world performance and impact on local fiat ecosystem.
  • Transition to real-world usage subject to final evaluations and approvals by central bank.

The digital currencies landscape in the Philippines is set for a major shift after the country’s central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), granted approval for the commencement of a pilot program for a Philippine Peso-backed stablecoin (PHPC).

BHP’s move signals a progressive step towards exploring the potential of blockchain technology and stablecoins in the nation’s financial ecosystem.

Sandbox testing to evaluate PHPC’s viability

The pilot program, conducted within the framework of BSP’s Regulatory Sandbox, will see the collaboration between the central bank and crypto wallet provider Coins.ph.

The primary objective of the pilot program is to assess the real-world performance of the PHPC and its potential impact on the local fiat ecosystem.

Under the terms of the pilot, Coins.ph will maintain cash reserves in pesos equivalent to the circulating supply of PHPC within the sandbox environment, ensuring a stable 1:1 pegging of the digital currency to the Philippine peso.

BSP’s choice Coins.ph is strategic. Being a licensed crypto service provider in the Philippines, Coins.ph dominates Philippines crypto space, especially after its partnership with Circle in 2023 for USDC remittances in the Philippines. It was the first to add BRC-20-support in the Philippines.

The sandbox testing phase is designed to explore various use cases for PHPC, including domestic and cross-border payments, trading with other virtual assets, hedging against market volatility, and providing collateral and liquidity in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

These trials will provide valuable insights into PHPC’s practicality and effectiveness in facilitating financial transactions and promoting financial inclusion in the Philippines.

Transitioning from sandbox to real-world usage

While the pilot program marks an important milestone in the development of PHPC, its transition from a sandbox environment to real-world usage is contingent upon the results of the testing phase and final evaluations by the central bank.

According to local regulations, the duration of the testing period can range from three to 12 months, depending on the complexity of the project. However, no official deadline has been disclosed for the conclusion of the stablecoin experiment.

The current initiative to launch a Peso-backed stablecoin builds upon previous efforts to introduce stablecoins pegged to the Philippine peso, such as the PHX launched by UnionBank in 2019. UnionBank’s PHX, aimed at driving greater financial inclusion, is also redeemable for pesos and implemented on the bank’s i2i platform.

The emergence of PHPC and other stablecoin projects reflects the growing recognition of digital currencies as viable tools for enhancing financial services and expanding access to digital payments in the Philippines.





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Former Solicitor General Paul Clement Joins Crypto Industry Fight

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A week after Custodia Bank filed an appeal in the 10th Circuit Court challenging the Fed’s power to deny it a master account, former Solicitor General Paul Clement has now filed an amicus brief on behalf of the crypto industry.

Paul Clement Takes Custodia Bank vs Fed Fight Ahead

As said, in the recent Custodia Bank vs. Fed case, Paul Clement filed an Amicus brief on Wednesday, July 3, while supporting the crypto industry. Clement has gained popularity in his recent success in overturning the Chevron Defence in the Supreme Court case in the Supreme Court case involving Loper Bright fishermen.

Also Read: US SEC Takes Major Blow In Chevron Howey Test Case, Implication For Crypto

In this ongoing legal fight, The Digital Chamber (TDC) and the Global Business Blockchain Council-USA (GBBC-USA) have expressed their significant interest and unique perspective. With extensive experience in the digital assets industry, the two organizations have argued that denying state-chartered banks a reliable path to participate in the national banking just because of the involvement with digital assets will threaten the growth and success of the trillion-dollar blockchain industry.

The two organization argue that upholding the lower court’s decision will give politically unaccountable federal officials and unchecked power to stiffle innovation thereby cutting off legitimate businesses from having crucial access to the global financial system.

The District Court stated that the “Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (“FRBKC”) has unreviewable discretion to denynonmember depository institutionsa master account”.

TDC and GBBC argued that despite following the legal boundaries, this court decision set dangerous precedence for any industry that might fall out with the Fed officials.

Paul Clement Raises Constitutional Concerns on Fed’s Structure

In the amicus brief, the former Solicitor General has raised some constitutional questions regarding the Fed’s structure. Clement states: “In sum, by affording Federal Reserve Bank presidents significant and largely unconstrained discretionary power, the district court’s decision raises serious constitutional questions under Article II.”

“The district court’s decision threatens the dual system by granting Federal Reserve Bank officials unreviewable discretion to “effectively crippl[e]” state-chartered banks operating legally,” he added.

Also Read: Custodia Bank CEO Predicts “Rip Roaring” Bitcoin Bull Market

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Bhushan is a FinTech enthusiast and holds a good flair in understanding financial markets. His interest in economics and finance draw his attention towards the new emerging Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency markets. He is continuously in a learning process and keeps himself motivated by sharing his acquired knowledge. In free time he reads thriller fictions novels and sometimes explore his culinary skills.

The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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Kamala Harris Overtakes Biden In Prediction Markets, Has Trump’s Opponent Changed?

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Kamala Harris has recently surged ahead of President Joe Biden in the prediction markets. This marks a significant shift in the political landscape as the 2024 U.S. presidential election race intensifies. However, the fight between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Biden isn’t over yet.

Kamala Harris Oversteps Biden In Betting Markets

On Predict It, Kamala Harris U.S. 2024 election winning bets surged to 22 cents while Biden’s dropped to 21 cents. Furthermore, Trump took the lead with a major gap as the bet was priced 59 cents on his win. Nevertheless, it could be too early to deem Harris as Trump’s ultimate opponent.

According to a new Reuters poll, President Biden is now neck-and-neck with his Republican challenger, Donald Trump, in the upcoming November election. This poll also reveals a shifting sentiment among Democrats, with approximately one-third believing Biden should consider stepping aside following a ‘ridiculous’ debate performance.

The debate in question has sparked internal discussions among Democrats. Moreover, some Biden loyalists are now questioning his viability for re-election in 2024. In addition, sources within the party indicate that Vice President Kamala Harris is emerging as the preferred candidate to step in should Biden decide to withdraw from the race.

Biden recently offered an explanation for his debate performance, admitting he “wasn’t very smart” for undertaking extensive travel before the event. “I didn’t listen to my staff… and then I almost fell asleep on stage,” he remarked during an event with Representative Don Beyer. “It’s not an excuse, but an explanation,” he added.

Also Read: U.S. Election Won’t Alter Positive Crypto Regulations, Says Mike Novogratz

The U.S. Election Race Intensifies

The political momentum appears to be shifting towards Trump, who now holds a 3-point advantage over Biden in key battleground states and a 2-point lead nationally. This change underscores a critical dynamic in the race: voter motivation. Currently, Republicans show higher enthusiasm, with more indicating they will “definitely” vote compared to their Democratic counterparts.

Over 90% of Biden and Trump supporters are firmly opposed to voting for the other candidate. Despite this strong partisan divide, the overall stability of the election race has not significantly changed. Biden experienced a brief uptick in support in June after Trump was convicted of felonies in New York. However, this did not significantly alter the broader election dynamics.

In light of the recent debate and shifting polls, the Democratic Party faces a pivotal decision regarding its candidate for the 2024 election. Kamala Harris’s rise in the prediction markets signals growing support within the party and among political analysts. If Biden’s campaign continues to face challenges, Harris may become the Democratic frontrunner.

Also Read: Binance Unveils Changes In Turkey In Compliance With Regulation

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Kritika boasts over 2 years of experience in the financial news sector. Currently working as a crypto journalist at Coingape, she has consistently shown a knack for blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Kritika combines insightful analysis with a deep understanding of market trends. With a keen interest in technical analysis, she brings a nuanced perspective to her reporting, exploring the intersection of finance, technology, and emerging trends in the crypto space.

The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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Ripple and Coinbase Use Binance Win to Contest SEC Claims

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Coinbase and Ripple Labs are using Binance’s pivotal legal victory to challenge ongoing cases with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Both companies argue that the SEC’s approach needs more clarity and consistency, necessitating formal rulemaking to better define the regulatory perimeter for digital assets.

Ripple, Coinbase Cite Binance Case Against SEC

Ripple Labs and Coinbase have intensified their legal defenses by referencing a recent court order involving Binance, which achieved a partial dismissal in its SEC lawsuit. The companies argue that this precedent highlights the need for the SEC to establish clear regulations. In its latest court filing, Ripple emphasized the judge’s remark that cryptocurrency does not align seamlessly with existing securities laws, such as those established by the 1946 Howey Test. This test is crucial for determining whether a transaction qualifies as an investment contract and thus falls under securities regulation.

 

Coinbase has concurrently voiced concerns over the SEC’s expansive interpretation of securities laws applied to the crypto industry. The exchange asserts that this broad application could be more extensive and better defined, pushing for a definitive rulemaking process to provide legal clarity. In its appeal, Coinbase cited the recent Binance ruling to bolster its case for rulemaking, arguing that the decision underscores the inconsistencies in current regulatory applications.

 

Also Read: Bybit Exchange Unveils Support For ASI Alliance, Will FET Rebound?

Coinbase Demands Clarity in SEC Regulatory Battle

The SEC has engaged with various cryptocurrency platforms and assets, deeming some of their operations as securities offerings without proper registration. In the case of Ripple, the SEC’s lawsuit initiated in December 2020 alleged that Ripple raised over $1.3 billion through sales of its XRP token, which the SEC classified as an unregistered security. However, in a significant turn, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that certain “programmatic sales” of XRP did not constitute securities transactions, introducing a nuanced interpretation Ripple now seeks to leverage to challenge broader SEC claims.

 

Coinbase faces similar regulatory scrutiny. The SEC argues that the platform operated as an unregistered securities exchange, a claim that Coinbase refutes, urging a formal rulemaking process to clarify these regulatory boundaries. Both Coinbase and Ripple use recent judicial outcomes, notably the Binance case, to argue for a more structured and transparent regulatory framework from the SEC, stressing that the current state of affairs is inefficient and unclear.

Crypto Firms Rally Around Binance Court Decision

The partial victory for Binance in its own SEC lawsuit has become a strategic reference point for other crypto entities embroiled in legal challenges with the regulator. Despite Judge Amy Berman Jackson’s decision to proceed with most of the SEC’s claims against Binance, her dismissal of the charge regarding secondary sales of Binance Coin (BNB) as securities has been perceived as a significant legal precedent. Coinbase and Ripple have particularly highlighted this aspect of the ruling in their ongoing litigation.

 

Further developments are anticipated, with a scheduled conference for the SEC’s case against Binance set for July 9. Meanwhile, Coinbase and Ripple continue to press for regulatory clarity, which they argue is crucial for the industry’s stability and growth.

 

Also Read: Genesis Digital Is Considering Going Public Via IPO In US: Report

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Maxwell is a crypto-economic analyst and Blockchain enthusiast, passionate about helping people understand the potential of decentralized technology. I write extensively on topics such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, tokens, and more for many publications. My goal is to spread knowledge about this revolutionary technology and its implications for economic freedom and social good.

The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.





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