GCash forecasts crypto momentum

Local cryptocurrency adoption has grown rapidly, fueled by rising retail interest, financial technology advancements, and regulatory efforts to integrate digital assets into the financial system. With more Filipinos now using crypto, the market is expanding and evolving at a fast pace.

Ayala-backed financial superapp GCash, for instance, sees growing optimism in cryptocurrency as Bitcoin adoption accelerates, AI-driven trading expands, and institutional investors deepen their market presence.

Key trends

GCash head of GCrypto Luis Buenaventura and crypto experts Gilbert Lazaro, Gerome Lazaro and Aldrin Rabino recently led a discussion to zero in on key trends shaping the industry.

They noted that Bitcoin’s integration into banking and government systems is gaining momentum. While new players are emerging, established cryptocurrencies are expected to continue mirroring Bitcoin’s market cycles.

Bitcoin’s April 2024 halving has fueled steady price gains, with further growth anticipated this year.

Alternative cryptocurrencies

For Lazaro, alternative cryptocurrencies are shaping up to start the next major trend, citing Trump Politifi Tokens, DeFAI, the Hyperliquid Ecosystem, and Decentralized Science (DeSci) as rising players.

“These emerging cryptocurrencies began as real-world assets. These altcoins will be the biggest players of 2025,” he said.

To navigate market volatility, Buenaventura advised investors to diversify both their portfolios and purchase timing.

“If you want to be conservative, what I do is I buy many times throughout the cycle with small incremental profits but less risk,” he said.

Beyond investment strategies, GCash underscored the importance of ethical crypto practices. In partnership with Chainalysis and BitPinas, it hosted the “CryptoPH Compliance Conversations” forum to discuss regulatory developments.