The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the launch of a regulatory sandbox enabling Filipinos to invest in global stocks, paving the way for GCash to roll out its GStocks Global platform.
Through a partnership with South Africa’s EasyEquities, GCash will allow eligible users to buy shares in international companies directly from the GCash app using Philippine Pesos—removing the need for foreign currency accounts or separate trading platforms.
The service will initially launch under a test phase with a limited user base.
The move marks the first locally regulated initiative allowing everyday Filipinos to access global stock markets through a homegrown fintech platform.
GStocks Global aims to simplify global investing by eliminating common barriers such as complex account setups and currency conversions.
Industry observers view the sandbox approval as a significant milestone in democratizing investing and advancing the SEC’s commitment to financial innovation while upholding regulatory safeguards.
GCash, owned by Globe Fintech Innovations (Mynt), has long championed financial inclusion and sees this development as an extension of its mission to make wealth-building tools accessible to all Filipinos.
The initiative comes as part of broader efforts by the SEC and private fintech players to expand financial services beyond traditional banking and offer diversified investment opportunities in the Philippines’ growing digital economy.
For now, GCash will continue its phased rollout and monitoring within the sandbox, before eventually opening GStocks Global to a wider audience.
Business News Asia
