Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. BitPinas has no commercial relationship with any mentioned entity unless otherwise stated.
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Following the Eagle Equities Inc. president Joey Roxas’ suggestion to ban cryptocurrency trading in order to accelerate growth in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), which sparked debate in the local financial community, many crypto advocates dismissed the proposal as misguided.
While the PSE has long been the gateway for traditional investing, the rise of crypto platforms, fueled by play-to-earn games, remittances, and digital wallets, has created a parallel market for traders.
But how do these two forms of trading compare, and what should Filipino investors know before jumping in?
Moreover, the discussion highlights a deeper issue: how crypto trading and stock trading actually differ in the Philippines, and why one does not simply replace the other.
Overview
What is Stock Trading?
- Buying shares represents partial ownership and a claim on the company’s profits.
- The goal is to buy shares at a low price and sell them at a higher price.
- Stock trading involves taking ownership of a small portion of a company (a share) and hoping its value increases over time.
Locally, the Philippine Stock Exchange is the sole venue for stock trading in the country, representing ownership shares in local companies.
Trading hours are limited to weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and participation requires opening an account with accredited brokers.
Moreover, stocks are tightly regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and investors are afforded protections under established laws.
For many Filipinos, investing in stocks is considered safer but often slower in growth, with the PSE index frequently lagging behind international markets.
How to start trading stocks?
Step 1: Choose a Broker. Compare fees, platform usability, customer support, and educational tools.
Step 2: Open an Account. Submit valid IDs and complete the broker’s KYC process.
Step 3: Fund Your Account as most online brokers require pre-funding before placing buy orders.
Step 4: Use the platform to place buy/sell orders. Trades settle on a T+2 basis (2 days after transaction).
Step 5: Track your portfolio, analyze trends, and adjust strategies as needed.
Platforms
Here are some locally accredited and active stock brokers:
- COL Financial
- First Metro Securities
- BDO Securities
- Philstocks
- BPI Securities
- UTrade (Unicapital)
- 2TradeAsia
Worth Reading: GCash’s GStocks Online Trading Platform Now Live For Every Filipino
What is Crypto Trading?
- Involves buying and selling cryptocurrencies, which are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for secure transactions, on online exchanges.
- Crypto trading involves buying and selling cryptocurrencies, which can be highly volatile and subject to market fluctuations.
- Traders aim to profit from price movements by buying low and selling high, or using various trading strategies.
Types of Crypto Trading:
- Day Trading: Buying and selling cryptocurrencies within a single trading day.
- Swing Trading: Holding cryptocurrencies for a shorter period of time, typically between a few days to a few weeks.
- Long-Term Trading: Holding cryptocurrencies for an extended period of time, often with the expectation of long-term growth.
In the Philippines, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulates Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), while the SEC oversees cryptocurrencies through the Crypto Assets Service Providers (CASP) rules. The BSP has jurisdiction over crypto used mainly for payments, while the SEC regulates crypto offered as securities or financial products.
How to start trading cryptocurrencies?
Step 1: Choose a Broker. Compare fees, platform usability, customer support, and educational tools.
Step 2: Open an Account. Submit valid IDs and complete the broker’s KYC process.
Step 3: Fund Your Account as most online brokers require pre-funding before placing buy orders.
Step 4: Use the platform to place buy/sell orders. Trades settle on a T+2 basis (Two days after transaction).
Step 5: Track your portfolio, analyze trends, and adjust strategies as needed.
Platforms
Here are the registered VASPs in the Philippines as of May 2025:
- Active Non-Bank VASPs
- Betur Inc. (Coins.ph)
- Bloomsolutions, Inc.
- Direct Agent 5, Inc.
- Maya Philippines, Inc.
- Moneybees Forex Corp.
- Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX)
- TopJuan Technologies Corporation
- XenRemit, Inc.
- Inactive / Not Operational Non-Bank VASPs
- ABA Global Philippines, Inc. (COEX STAR)
- WIBS PHP, Inc.
- Zybi Tech, Inc. (Juan Cash)
- Active Bank VASP
- GoTyme Bank Corporation
- Union Bank of the Philippines, Inc.
Pareho Lang? Similarities of Stock and Crypto Trading
Both stock and crypto markets in the Philippines share several traits that shape how local traders approach investing:
- Market psychology
- Filipino traders in both spaces often react to hype, fear, and speculation.
- Trends can quickly spread, whether it’s a blue-chip stock moving on Investagrams or Bitcoin updates circulating on TikTok, Facebook, and X (Twitter).
- Trading strategies
- Technical analysis and charting tools are widely used across both markets.
- Traders apply methods like day trading, swing trading, and scalping.
- Long-term approaches are also common—HODLing in crypto and dividend investing in stocks.
- Speculation and profit-seeking
- Both attract participants who are motivated by the potential for quick gains, though risk appetite varies.
- Community-driven learning
- Instead of formal education, many Filipinos learn through peer communities.
- Social media groups, Telegram channels, YouTube tutorials, and online forums serve as key hubs for knowledge-sharing.
- Retail-driven participation
- Similar to stocks, much of the crypto market in the Philippines is powered by retail investors rather than large institutions, amplifying sentiment-driven moves.
O Ibang Iba? Differences of Stock and Crypto Trading
Currently, the biggest contrasts for Filipino traders lie in accessibility, regulation, and volatility.
- Market hours
- Stocks on the Philippine Stock Exchange trade only on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m..
- Crypto markets operate 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
- Accessibility
- Stock trading requires opening an account with accredited brokers, submitting documents, and meeting minimum deposits.
- Crypto wallets and exchange accounts can often be set up quickly with just a smartphone.
- Volatility
- Most PSE-listed stocks move more gradually.
- Crypto prices can experience sharp swings within hours, making crypto riskier but potentially more rewarding.
- Liquidity
- Philippine stocks remain thinly traded, limiting quick exits for investors.
- Leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum enjoy deep global liquidity.
- Regulation
- Stocks are tightly overseen by the SEC and the PSE, providing stronger investor protection. C
- Crypto still operates under evolving rules, with the BSP licensing exchanges (VASPs) and the SEC monitoring tokens deemed securities.
- Exposure
- Stocks mainly provide access to Philippine companies and are tied to the local economy.
- Crypto gives Filipinos instant exposure to global assets and markets.
Risks and Rewards
For Filipino investors, both options carry risks and rewards.
- Stocks offer stability and long-term wealth-building but can be slow-moving, especially as the PSE index often lags behind international markets.
- Crypto offers higher potential returns and global exposure but comes with extreme volatility and risks of scams or unregulated projects.
Closing Thoughts
The choice between stocks and crypto depends largely on an investor’s goals and risk appetite.
- Stocks suit those seeking long-term, steady growth in a regulated environment.
- Crypto attracts those pursuing faster, high-risk, high-reward opportunities and offers financial access to people excluded from traditional systems—something stock trading, with its higher barriers to entry, has yet to achieve.
Many Filipinos are now diversifying—allocating funds to stocks for stability and to crypto for growth potential.
Stock trading and crypto trading serve different but complementary roles in the Philippines. Stocks provide regulatory safeguards and relative stability, while crypto offers accessibility, liquidity, and global reach.
The debate over banning crypto underscores more than just a rivalry between two markets, it highlights the urgent need for reforms that make Philippine finance more inclusive, competitive, and future-ready.
This article is published on BitPinas: Crypto Trading vs Stock Trading
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