When the CEO of a top bank in the Philippines runs #Bitcoin miners at a business conference, you know we're headed in the right direction ;) pic.twitter.com/b7dzGMDXVa— Miguel Cuneta (@MiguelCuneta) May 18, 2018
Unionbank and Cryptocurrency
The Philippines have always been a key region for Bitcoin. It is home to a few remittance services which rely on cryptocurrency. Moreover, the government made it clear Bitcoin can be used for remittance purposes. It is a validation of the world’s leading cryptocurrency being used for real-world use cases. So far, the Philippines is one of the only countries to take this specific step in recent years.
Unionbank, the biggest bank in the country, recently showcased cryptocurrency miners during a business conference.While that may not seem important, it is another nod of approval toward cryptocurrency. While not a Bitcoin mining unit, it does show the institution is interested in cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin and The Philippines
It is not the first time Unionbank shows an interest in cryptocurrency or its underpinning technology. Earlier this year, the institution announced a blockchain payment system. This venture is launched together with Visa. Although that feature does not involve cryptocurrencies, it shows its underpinning technology can effectively transform business models in the Philippines.
Additionally, the Philippines government introduced an “economic zone” for cryptocurrencies. In this zone, cryptocurrency companies are allowed to operate in a licensed environment. Surprisingly, this venture attracted a lot of attention from international firms. Especially companies from Japan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong are interested in this option. The economic zone accommodates all business models, including exchanges, mining, and initial coin offerings.
All of this is in stark contrast with a slight crackdown on Bitcoin users. The Philippine National Police has arrested Bitcoiners before. This was mainly due to allegations regarding running a Ponzi Scheme. Additionally, cloud mining is still somewhat frowned upon in this country. The Bitcoin situation in the Philippines is heading in an interesting direction right now. Unionbank’s recent “endorsement” is another surprising development in this regard.
(Source: https://www.newsbtc.com/2018/05/18/unionbank-showcasing-cryptocurency-mining-hardware-raises-some-interesting-questions/)
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