🇵🇭📊 Lemoneyd News – Your Weekly Rundown of the Biggest Fintech News in PH

Hello everyone! Rain here from Lemoneyd.

Ahh, it’s been a while! First of all, I want to apologize for not sending Lemoneyd News to your inbox these past few months. We’ve been spending most of our time building and refining the Lemoneyd finance tracker app 😊

We’ll be releasing a huge update for the app in the coming days, so stay tuned! Meanwhile, the good news is — we’re back to creating the newsletter!

Here’s the biggest news in PH fintech this week. Enjoy the read! 💛

📱Visa Preps PH Banks for Apple Pay, Google Pay & Samsung Pay

Visa is working closely with Philippine banks to accelerate readiness for mobile wallet integrations, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The push comes ahead of Google Pay’s confirmed November launch, with Visa urging banks to upgrade tokenization, NFC support, and wallet compatibility.

Visa’s regional leadership says mobile payments are no longer optional — they’re essential for customer experience and global interoperability. The initiative aims to make PH banks wallet‑ready by year‑end, with early adopters expected to gain a competitive edge in digital payments.

🇯🇵 Tonik Joins Tokyo Stock Exchange Asia Startup Hub

Tonik Bank has become the first Philippine company accepted into the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Asia Startup Hub, a program designed to connect high‑growth Asian fintechs with Japanese capital markets. The inclusion gives Tonik access to investor networks, IPO preparation resources, and strategic partnerships in Japan — a major step for the neobank’s regional expansion.

🛡️Globe’s Scam Shield Targets Spoofed SMS Attacks

Globe Telecom has launched Scam Shield, a new feature designed to block spoofed SMS scams that mimic legitimate sender names. The tool uses real‑time filtering and sender verification to prevent fake messages from reaching users, especially those impersonating banks, telcos, and government agencies.

The rollout comes amid a surge in text‑based fraud, with Globe reporting a 50% rise in spoofing attempts over the past quarter. Scam Shield is now active across Globe’s network and will be expanded to prepaid users in the coming weeks.

🏦 BSP to Close Digital Bank Applications by December 1

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has announced it will stop accepting new digital bank license applications after December 1, 2025. The move formalizes the BSP’s earlier moratorium and signals a shift toward consolidation and tighter oversight of existing digital banks.

Applicants who fail to submit complete requirements by the deadline will be automatically disqualified. The BSP says the pause will allow regulators to monitor performance, risk, and compliance across the current roster of licensed digital banks.

🐾 FWD Launches Pet Insurance, Partners with PAWS

FWD Life Insurance has introduced The One for Pet Lovers, a new insurance plan covering veterinary expenses, accidental injury, and pet loss. The product is designed for dog and cat owners, with coverage starting at ₱1,100 annually.

FWD is also partnering with PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society) to promote responsible pet ownership and support animal rescue efforts. The campaign includes educational content, donation matching, and community outreach — blending financial protection with advocacy.

Thanks for reading! See you next Friday for the next edition 😊