After Google Pay arrived in the Philippines late last year, anticipation for Apple Pay’s local release further intensified. Sadly, reports from the past few days claim it won’t come until later this 2026.
Now, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is saying that Apple Pay can launch anytime they want. This is after the central bank ruled that Apple Pay is not an operator of payment system or OPS.
“So, Google Pay has launched. So, it’s up to them (Apple Pay) when they will launch,” said BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan.
In fact, the BSP already stated in mid-2025 that both services from Google and Apple are considered technology service providers and not OPS, so there’s no need to register with them.
OPS are service providers like GCash, Maya, Lazada Wallet, and Shopee.
Both services only process payment credentials and don’t hold funds. They also have no direct contact with the merchants.