E-wallet Use Jumps 75% in Sari-Sari Stores, Fueling Digital Transformation - Packworks Report

24 October 2025 Manila, Philippines — Sari-sari stores are rapidly digitalizing their operations, driven by a significant increase in e-wallet use, according to a new report from Filipino tech startup Packworks.

The report used their internal transaction records as the starting point to conduct a direct survey of more than 2,000 sari-sari store owners within Packworks' nationwide network of 300,000+ stores from January to August 2025.

According to the data, half of the store owners surveyed reported a 75% increase in e-wallet usage in their store operations between January and August. The remaining respondents also saw substantial growth: 20% experienced a 100% increase in usage, another 20% saw a 50% increase, and 10% reported a 10% rise.

Store owners largely attribute this growing adoption to increased consumer demand, as their customers are also turning to e-wallets to buy goods, access funds, and settle bills at their local stores. 

“Maraming nang nagpapa-cash-in at cash-out at bumibili gamit ang mga e-wallet. Dahil dumarami, gusto namin masabayan ang pangangailangan nila. Nakakatulong din naman ito sa amin para magkaroon kami ng dagdag kita,” (A lot of our customers are making cash-in and cash-out transactions aside from buying products with e-wallets. Since more customers are using them, we want to keep up with their needs. It also helps us earn a little extra), said Marijane Rea, a sari-sari store owner from Laguna.

Store owners are using e-wallets for a variety of business operations. About 40% use the platforms for in-store payments, 30% for bill payments, and the remaining 30% for cash-in and cash-out transactions.

This digital shift is quickly becoming a critical source of revenue. Around 13% of store owners say their e-wallet earnings equal their revenue from physical goods. Among the rest of the respondents, e-wallets still contribute significantly: 66% say that about 20% of their revenues come from e-wallet use, and the remaining 21% say their e-wallet earnings account for 10% of their total revenue.

GCash and Maya are the widely used e-wallets, with 85% of store owners reporting using GCash for their business transactions and 15% using Maya.

“Bukod sa kita namin sa tindahan, nagkaroon kami ng dagdag kita sa paggamit sa mga e-wallet kasi meron kaming tubo na PHP 10 hanggang PHP 20 sa pag-cash-in at cash-out, o di kaya tuwing nagbabayad ng kuryente, tubig, o internet ang mga customer,” (Besides the income we earn from the store, we also get extra earnings from using e-wallets because we earn a profit of PHP 10 to PHP 20 from cash-in and cash-out transactions, or whenever customers pay for electricity, water, or internet bills), said Rachel Miguel, a store owner from Bacolod. 

To increase their transaction capacity and meet surging customer demand, sari-sari stores are strategically using up to five e-wallet accounts. According to the report, with each account having a monthly limit of PHP 100,000 to PHP 500,000, the combined monthly transaction capacity is up to PHP 3.5 million.

This trend supports the 30% of store owners’ interest in upgrading their e-wallets to business accounts to maintain a higher monthly limit of PHP 1 million.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas indicated that approximately 57% of total retail transactions were cashless in 2024, highlighting the increasing use of digital payments for everyday purchases and financial transactions.

Packworks Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap highlights that sari-sari stores are rapidly embracing digital tools such as e-wallets to diversify their services and grow their businesses.

“The surge in e-wallet use proves that sari-sari stores are rapidly evolving into vital digital hubs for their communities. Aside from simply selling 'tingi' physical items, they are now diversifying their product range, offering high-margin, value-added financial services and integrating digital tools such as our app to fundamentally improve their operations and function as near-frictionless nano-banks for the neighborhoods they serve. These findings show that sari-sari stores have been at the forefront leading this digital transformation at the grassroots level,” cited Yap, “And there's an urgent need to support these micro-entrepreneurs with the right fintech to ensure they can fully capitalize on this opportunity, as they often say in sari-stores, a peso saved is a peso earned!” 

For more studies and data trends insights in sari-sari stores, you may visit http://packworks.io/ or Packworks’ Facebook page to learn more.

G22, Michael Sager, and Top Creators Join the GCash Birthday Surprise Shakeaway

Manila, Philippines – It’s a birthday bash like no other as PPop’s Female Alpha, G22, PBB Super Cutie, Michael Sager, and more of today’s hottest influencers join GCash in celebrating its big birthday craze with the Surprise Birthday Shake Away.  

The country’s leading finance super app is turning up the excitement this October with surprises that will get everyone moving. As G22 drops the GCash Surprise Birthday Shake Away Jingle and Dance Craze, users and fans are invited to move, groove, and celebrate the GCash way with big surprises waiting at every shake.

Whether you’re joining the fun online or learning the dance, there’s a chance to score amazing rewards. Shake, dance, and post your moves to join the nationwide birthday fever filled with fun, music, and surprises.

From October 15 to 31, 2025, GCash users can take part in the Surprise Birthday Shake Away, with a chance to win GCash credits, gift certificates, a home appliance showcase, an iPhone 16, a motorcycle, and even the all-new BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic hybrid car. 

Joining is simple: just log in to the GCash app, tap the promo banner, and shake your phone to earn a raffle entry. The more GCash services you use, such as Send Money, Buy Load, or Pay Bills, the bigger the prizes you can win.

This year’s birthday celebration proves that GCash knows how to party with prizes, performances, and endless surprises that everyone can enjoy.

So what are you waiting for? Shake, dance, and celebrate GCash’s birthday!

For full promo details, visit www.new.gcash.com.

GCash, Western Union Expand Global ‘Cash In’ to Over 200 Markets to Serve More Filipinos Globally

The Philippines’ leading finance super app, GCash, is expanding its global ‘cash in’ feature through a strategic partnership with Western Union, one of the world’s most trusted international money transfer providers, with a global financial network spanning over 200 countries and territories worldwide.

 

Filipinos living and working overseas may ‘cash in’ (send money) to GCash e-wallet accounts through the Western Union App, website, or through a network of hundreds of thousands of retail locations worldwide. Additionally, they can also send funds to their families and friends with GCash accounts. Once completed, funds are credited instantly to the GCash wallet and can be used immediately for essentials such as groceries, bills, online shopping, savings, insurance, or even investments. Customers can now send up to PHP 500,000 per transaction.

 

“At GCash, we remain committed to driving financial empowerment for all Filipinos, wherever they are in the world,” said GCash International general manager Paul Albano. “This collaboration with Western Union enables fast, secure, and reliable remittances, ensuring that the hard-earned money of OFWs reaches their families swiftly and safely.”

 

Western Union’s global scale now connects with the extensive local cashless ecosystem of GCash—the largest in the country. GCash users in the Philippines benefit from over 339,000 cash-in and cash-out outlets, 5.2 million QR-accepting merchants, and more than 520 partner brands on the GLife platform. 

 

Gregory Laurent, regional vice president, Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands for Western Union, said, “our partnership with GCash, one the the Philippines’ most respected financial services brands, enables us to stay true to our purpose of serving the aspiring populations of the world with accessible, easy-to-use services, particularly in the digital space. It is yet another mark of the importance we place on the Philippines and consumers in the country, as well as the Filipino diaspora abroad.”

 

For millions of OFWs, this integration removes long-standing friction in the remittance process and strengthens their ability to support their families from afar. GCash continues to evolve from a money transfer platform into a holistic digital finance hub that serves the needs of Filipinos, wherever they may be.

 

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), personal remittances from OFWs reached USD 38 billion in 2024, an all-time high and accounting for over 8% of the country’s GDP.

 

“While digital adoption is accelerating, a significant portion of these remittances is still routed through over-the-counter channels. The integration of GCash with Western Union provides a digital-first alternative that empowers OFWs and their families to manage money more efficiently, securely, and on their terms,” said Albano.

When Wallets Get Tight, GCredit Makes It Right

Electricity, water, internet, groceries–every day, it feels like there’s always something new we need to pay for. Now that the school year is in full swing, daily allowances and baon groceries have become part of the weekly routine. And just when we think we’ve finally caught up, here comes the surprise gastos—plus with the holidays slowly creeping in, it feels like there’s always something new to budget for.

As much as we try to cover everything, there are times when our budget just isn’t enough, no matter how hard we try to save and budget our expenses. Sometimes, we just need a little help to get through the tough days, especially during Petsa de Peligro. Thankfully, with GCash, it’s now easier to manage bills even without a credit card and without needing to borrow money from friends and family.

GCredit - Your Trusted Financial Lifeline

If you’re a GCash user, you already have a solution at your fingertips. GCredit, powered by CIMB, gives you an always-ready credit line you can use to cover urgent expenses. The best part? It’s designed to be manageable, with a low daily interest rate of 0.17 percent—equivalent to just ₱1.70 for every ₱1,000 spent. You can also pay as little as 10 percent of your total due, giving you the flexibility to stay on top of expenses even while waiting for your next paycheck, bonus, or allowance.

Not sure where you can use GCredit? It comes in handy for everyday needs like:

- Bills Payments: When your electricity bill spikes or your payday doesn’t align with your water bill’s due date, use GCredit to avoid late fees and disconnections.

- Internet and Landline: When you need to stay connected, you can use GCredit to cover your bills and avoid disconnection, so you’re always in touch with family, work, and friends.

- Groceries: When prices rise or your budget falls short at the grocery store, GCredit helps you buy what you need so you never have to cut back on meals.

Make everyday spending easier with GCredit

With so many everyday expenses now payable through GCredit, GCash makes it simple to get through tough times with less stress:

- Low interest: Interest is only 0.17% per day, and the earlier you pay, the less interest you need to pay.

- Flexible payments: No need to pay the full amount right away. Just pay at least 10% of your total due, and you’re set.

- Borrow up to ₱50,000: Access your credit line directly from the GCash app– fast, easy, and convenient.

Before you use GCredit to manage your bills, make sure you’re an eligible user. On your GCash app’s home screen, tap on “Borrow” and look for “GCredit.” If you’re not yet eligible, the app will guide you on the steps to qualify. Users must also remember that GCredit is available to Filipino citizens aged 21–65 with a fully verified GCash account.

Once eligible, you’ll see your available credit limit. You’ll also receive an SMS to activate GCredit and be instructed to follow these steps:

- Confirm your email address

- Verify your personal details and other required information in the app

- Review and submit your application

Once you’ve completed the steps, you’ll receive a confirmation via email that your GCredit is activated, and you’re ready to use it for your day-to-day needs! Just remember to use GCredit responsibly–read the terms and conditions and make sure you have a payment plan in place.

Whether your bills are going up, piling up, or coming in faster than expected, you no longer have to worry about how to pay. With GCredit, you have a reliable safety net for both personal needs and family expenses. From electricity and water to internet and groceries, you’ve now got a fast and flexible way to stay on top of your bills with GCredit!

PH’s Retail Treasury Bonds Available on e-Wallets for the First Time through GBond

For the first time ever, the Philippine government’s Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB) have been made available on an e-wallet platform, as the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) enables small investors to purchase government securities through the GBonds feature of GCash. 

 

“We are thrilled to bring RTB 31 to the GCash app. This collaboration significantly expands our reach, enabling more Filipinos to invest in government securities easily and securely. It’s a monumental step toward our goal of a more financially inclusive Philippines, giving more people the opportunity to build their savings and contribute to the nation's economic growth,” said the Treasurer of the Philippines, Sharon Almanza.

 

The BTr initially planned to issue a minimum offer size of P30 billion for the five-year (5Y) RTBs, but due to strong investor demand, it eventually sold P210 billion during the rate-setting auction which resulted in a 6% coupon rate.

GCash users who sign up for GBonds can instantly place a buy order for the government’s 31st Retail Treasury Bond Issuance (RTB 31) from August 5 until the end of the offer period on August 15.

 

“For a minimum investment of P5,000 with no extra fees, GCash users can instantly place a buy order for RTB 31 anytime within the offer period once they sign up for GBonds. More Filipinos will have the chance to take part in nation-building while taking a significant step toward their financial goals through this innovation,” said Martha Sazon, president and CEO of GCash parent Mynt.

 

“In making RTBs more accessible to millions more Filipinos, we’re also enabling retail investors to contribute to the P2.6 trillion borrowing program of the government to fund essential projects,” she added.

 

Powered by Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX), Inc. and Bonds.ph, in partnership with the Bureau of the Treasury, GBonds became available to the public in July, allowing fully verified users to access fixed-income government securities without the need for a bank account. Filipinos can place their bond investment order and get confirmation in a few minutes in the GCash app.

 

Getting started on GBonds is easy and simple. Fully verified GCash users with an updated KYC within the past 3 years just need to open the app, go to GInvest, select GBonds, and register for a PDAX account, subject to their terms and conditions, to complete the registration process.

To get a fully verified GCash account, users are encouraged to go through the KYC process within the app ahead of starting on GBonds. This involves providing personal information, uploading a valid government ID, and completing a selfie scan. For more information, visit the Help Center. 

 

For updates about the Bureau of the Treasury’s latest offerings, visit www.treasury.gov.ph and like/follow their Meta Page at TreasuryPH.

 

Grab PH Users Can Now Cash in with Their Cryptocurrency through PDAX, Triple-A Partnership

Manila, Philippines, 22 July 2025 — Grab users in the Philippines can now top up their GrabPay wallets using Cryptocurrencies. This is made possible by Grab’s partnership with payments provider Triple-A and local digital asset exchange PDAX.

Crypto top-ups into the GrabPay e-wallet were initially launched in Singapore in 2024 through Grab’s partnership with Triple-A, a firm that enables businesses to facilitate payments in digital currencies.

Building on this success, Triple-A teamed up with PDAX to bring a new level of convenience and flexibility to Grab users in the Philippines by enabling this innovative cash-in method. 

Users can top up their GrabPay wallets using an array of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), US dollar-backed stablecoin USDC, and USDT.

Cashing in on Grab via crypto can be done in a few simple steps:

1. Select ‘Cryptocurrencies’ as the cash-in method on the Grab app.

2. Choose a token and network from the supported list of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.

3. Enter the amount in pesos, and review the conversion rate and transaction details.

4. Send the tokens from your preferred crypto wallet to the provided address.

5. Top-up confirmed. Funds are instantly reflected in your GrabPay wallet.

Eric Barbier, CEO of Triple-A, shared: “We had a successful launch of GrabPay top-ups with cryptocurrency in Singapore. The response has been fantastic. Now, we're looking forward to bringing this service to the Philippines, a market that's ready for digital currencies. This is a big step in making digital currencies easier to use in everyday life across Southeast Asia.” 

CJ Lacsican, Vice President for Cities and Head of the Grab Financial Group in the Philippines, shares, “Integrating cryptocurrency as a cash-in option for GrabPay reflects our commitment to advancing financial inclusion in the Philippines. By offering more accessible, digital-first solutions, we aim to empower a wider spectrum of Filipinos — especially those with limited access to traditional banking or those who prefer the convenience of digital currencies.” Other cash-in methods for GrabPay include e-wallets, online banking via InstaPay, linked bank accounts, debit and credit cards, and select convenience stores and business centers.

Meanwhile, PDAX is an all-in-one wealth platform. With millions of users nationwide, it provides access to digital assets and modern investment solutions, empowering progressive Filipinos to take charge of building their own wealth through cryptocurrencies, tokenized bonds, and other digital assets. Nichel Gaba, PDAX CEO shares, "The Philippines has one of the largest crypto user bases globally. Through this partnership, we're thrilled to offer accessible use cases that will both support the existing crypto community and drive greater adoption of cryptocurrency." 

This tripartite partnership strengthens safe and secure crypto transactions in connection with everyday services like on-demand mobility and deliveries — with Triple-A licensed by organizations like Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN); and PDAX regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, ensuring that every top-up meets global standards for cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and data protection.

PNP-ACG and GCash Target Cybercriminals in Joint Social Media Patrols

As part of its ongoing campaign to patrol social media platforms to reinforce public trust and ensure the security of cashless transactions, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), in collaboration with GCash, recently apprehended multiple suspects involved in cyber-related crimes that include child exploitation and illegal sale of pre-registered SIM cards.

In one undercover operation, officers intercepted an individual accused of trafficking a minor through a widely used online platform. The suspect allegedly arranged a meeting between the victim and a client at a hotel, unaware that law enforcement had been tracking the illegal activity. The operation, conducted by the PNP-ACG’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons/Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (Anti-TIP/OSAEC) team, successfully rescued the victim and placed the suspect in custody under Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended by Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012).

Meanwhile, officers have intercepted multiple suspects engaging in the illegal sale of pre-registered SIM cards, a known tool for financial fraud and online scams. Law enforcement flagged transactions where registered SIMs were being sold on social media, offering anonymity for scammers operating in digital spaces. Several individuals were arrested under Republic Act 11934 (SIM Registration Act) in relation to Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), ensuring fraudulent activities tied to untraceable identities are curtailed. Additionally, violations under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) were noted in separate busts targeting cyber-enabled fraud schemes.

In response to these cyber threats, GCash reiterates its commitment to ensure that digital innovations remain a tool for empowerment rather than exploitation. As a trusted financial platform, GCash continues to work alongside authorities to safeguard users and uphold a secure, cashless ecosystem.

Both PNP-ACG and GCash urge the public to exercise caution when conducting financial transactions online, particularly on social media platforms. Suspicious activities may be reported to PNP-ACG via hotline numbers (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116, or through email at acg@pnp.gov.ph. GCash users may also file a report through the GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com, by messaging Gigi on the GCash website and typing “I want to report a scam,” or by calling 2882 for the GCash hotline.

To enhance security, GCash continues to remind users never to share their MPINs or OTPs with anyone and to avoid clicking suspicious links that could lead to phishing attempts or unauthorized account access. The company reiterates that it will never send private messages requesting personal information.

For more information, please visit https://www.gcash.com

Bitget Joins UNICEF Game Changers Coalition to Provide Blockchain Education to 300K People in 2025

Manila, Philippines, 23 June 2025 —– Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has entered a three-year partnership with UNICEF Luxembourg to advance digital skills and blockchain literacy among young people .

The partnership enrolls Bitget into the Game Changers Coalition (GCC) led by UNICEF Office of Innovation (OOI). Support from Bitget will help reach 300,000 people - including adolescent girls, parents, mentors and teachers with blockchain skills- across eight countries; Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, and South Africa.

Through the partnership, Bitget Academy, the educational arm of Bitget, will help develop UNICEF’s first interactive, online and in-person blockchain training module based on video games creation skills development for teachers and young people. This is a welcome inclusion to a curriculum already reaching hundreds of thousands of people. Support from Bitget will also help expand the Coalition’s reach to a ninth country.

“This partnership reflects our shared belief that digital skills are a powerful driver of opportunity and inclusion,” said Sandra Visscher, Executive Director of UNICEF Luxembourg.“By collaborating with Bitget, we want to provide adolescents and young people with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to shape their own futures. Innovation should be a force for inclusion, opening doors, broadening horizons, and ensuring that technology works for everyone, everywhere.”

In a move to extend the ecosystem's reach, Bitget will also aim to introduce UNICEF to leading blockchain protocols and developers from across the Web3 landscape to participate in the educational initiative. These contributors could serve as mentors and partners, offering diverse perspectives and possibilities for blockchain technologies.

“Emerging technologies should not be reserved for the privileged few—they must be introduced early and equitably. Blockchain, with its real-world use case and potential for social good, is one of the most powerful tools we can give to our younger generation to build products that change the way we look at modern society. With Blockchain4Her, what began as a mission to empower hundreds of women has scaled into a global movement to educate thousands of girls. This is the kind of scale and impact blockchain was built for," said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.

Every year, adolescent girls and young women in low and middle-income countries miss out on USD 15 billion in economic opportunities due to a gap in internet access and digital skills relative to their male peers. With 90 per cent of jobs today requiring digital competencies, the Game Changers Coalition responds to the urgency of closing the gender digital skills gap.

Together, Bitget and UNICEF are working to build a scalable, inclusive model that equips young women with the tools to navigate and shape the digital economy of tomorrow.

As part of the Game Changers Coalition, Bitget joins the Global Video Game Coalition, Micron Foundation and ecosystem builders - Women in Games in a shared ambition to reach 1.1 million girls by 2027, with learning and skills-building opportunities.

With the help of Bitget Academy, and support from the $10M initiative Blockchain4Her, Bitget plans to enhance digital literacy and financial independence among women taught to them at a young age.

Bitget's Blockchain4Her initiative has previously supported women through mentorship programs, funding opportunities, and educational resources.

Together, Bitget and UNICEF Luxembourg aim to empower a new generation of girls with the knowledge and skills they need to participate actively in the evolving crypto economy.