Is Zcash legal in the Philippines?
Legal to own, but licensed Philippine VASPs may not list or support privacy coins, which reports say includes ZEC.
| Owning ZEC | Legal |
|---|---|
| Local exchanges | Not allowed |
| National rule | Exchanges barred from privacy coins |
| Regulator | Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) |
| Last reviewed | 25 October 2026 |
The legal situation in the Philippines
In June 2026 the central bank issued listing rules barring licensed virtual asset service providers from listing or supporting 'anonymity-enhancing' (privacy) VAs; reports said this removes coins like Monero and Zcash from compliant exchanges. The quoted memo text does not name ZEC. The SEC separately registers crypto-asset service providers under 2025 rules. No restriction on private holding was reported.
Key facts
- 2025-06: The SEC issued its crypto-asset service provider rules (Memorandum Circular No. 5).
- 2026-06: BSP memorandum M-2026-023 (reported 15 Jun 2026) bars licensed VASPs from listing or supporting 'anonymity-enhancing VAs, otherwise known as privacy VAs'.
- VASPs must also adopt ongoing token monitoring and delisting triggers.
What this means for you
Owning Zcash in your own wallet is legal, but regulated exchanges here do not list it or are being pushed to drop it. If you hold ZEC on an exchange, read what to do when an exchange delists Zcash and move it to a wallet you control. Only use buying routes that are legal where you live; see how to buy Zcash.
Sources
coinmarketcap.com, decrypt.co.
Sources are listed by publisher so you can look them up yourself; we do not link out.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Check the regulator's own website before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zcash legal in the Philippines?
Legal to own, but licensed Philippine VASPs may not list or support privacy coins, which reports say includes ZEC.
Can I buy Zcash on a local exchange in the Philippines?
No. Crypto exchanges or privacy coins are not allowed.