August 31, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Securities and Change Fee (SEC) chairperson Francis Lim assures the nation’s monetary know-how sector of the fee’s equity in regulating digital improvements.
Acknowledging that know-how is reworking finance at a wide ranging tempo, Lim stated that rules shouldn’t be seen as a brake on progress however as a platform for innovation and progress.
“However whereas the channels change, our obligation as regulators doesn’t: markets should at all times be truthful, clear and secure for all,” Lim stated in a speech in the course of the Manila Tech Summit 2025.
“That’s the reason our precept is straightforward: identical exercise, identical danger, identical regulatory final result. The SEC is technology-neutral, however by no means risk-blind,” he stated.
Lim stated that by way of the SEC’s regulatory sandbox, fintech pioneers can safely check new concepts with investor safeguards with out worry of untimely enforcement.
Additional, he stated that the fee’s disclosure and conduct guidelines are usually not crimson tape, however are the reassurance that new merchandise – from tokenized belongings to AI-driven platforms – are launched on a stage enjoying discipline.
Lim stated that by aligning with international requirements, the SEC additionally opens doorways for Philippine corporations overseas, whereas making certain that individuals are protected at residence.
“Each safeguard we construct is not only a defend towards abuse – it’s a bridge between innovation and belief, ambition and stability, danger and reward,” he stated.
Lim stated that the SEC’s imaginative and prescient is “a capital market that’s digital by design, inclusive by intent and trusted by all.”
For the SEC chair, meaning ease of doing enterprise by way of digital, end-to-end submitting methods that reduce crimson tape and ship quicker approvals, wider participation by way of fractional investing, retirement-linked pooled funds and stronger investor schooling.
It likewise entails extra competent supervision by way of knowledge analytics that detect misconduct early and cease it earlier than harming traders.
In the long run, nonetheless, Lim stated that know-how and guidelines are solely as highly effective as those that use them.
Thus, he known as on fintech business gamers and digital innovators to accomplice with the federal government to make the Philippines a frontrunner in trusted digital finance that powers inclusive progress and earns respect worldwide.
In accordance with Lim, the business ought to strengthen its cyber defenses, decide to equity and transparency, particularly for small traders, and take part pilots that may form the way forward for finance.
“The SEC will do its half: regulating with integrity, agency however truthful, open to innovation however at all times anchored on public curiosity,” he stated.
“If we work collectively – authorities, business and innovators – we will make the Philippines not only a participant, however a frontrunner within the digital monetary revolution. Our objective is evident: a capital market that’s deeper, extra inclusive, and globally aggressive – powered by know-how, secured by belief, and impressed by the ingenuity of the Filipino,” Lim stated.
