Quick answer
How do I pay for a flight from Manila with crypto?
SatFares, a flight booking site paid only in crypto, sells flights from the Philippines paid in USDT, USDC, BTC, ETH, SOL or LTC. Top up from $25, search from Manila (MNL) and book; the total is held, not charged, until the e-ticket number is issued. As of October 2026, BPI credit cards add 1.85% to foreign currency transactions, and SEC rules for crypto platforms apply since July 5, 2025.
Philippines: key facts for flights paid in crypto (October 2026)
| Main international airports | Manila Ninoy Aquino (MNL), Mactan-Cebu (CEB), Clark (CRK) |
|---|---|
| Card fee on foreign transactions | BPI: 0.85% service fee plus 1% Mastercard or Visa assessment on most cards; BPI Free+ 2% plus 1% |
| Foreign purchases billed in pesos | BPI still applies the 1% Mastercard or Visa assessment |
| Crypto platform rules | SEC CASP Rules (Memorandum Circular No. 4, 2025) in force since July 5, 2025, for local and foreign platforms serving the Philippines |
| Unregistered exchanges | 10 flagged by the SEC in August 2025, including OKX, Bybit, KuCoin and Kraken; access blocked by PLDT |
| New VASP licences | Moratorium of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, extended indefinitely in September 2025 |
| Airlines | Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific can be booked on request with SatFares (October 12, 2026) |
| Routes from the Philippines in our list | 3, all from Manila and on sale: Dubai, Tokyo and Seoul |
| Crypto adoption | 19th in the Chainalysis 2026 Global Crypto Adoption Index |
Search flights from Manila
Live fares in USD for all passengers, taxes included. Bookings are made on request: nothing is charged until the e-ticket number is issued, and a higher total needs your agreement.
What does a Philippine card add to a foreign payment?
About 1.85% on most BPI credit cards, on top of the network exchange rate. BPI's rates page, updated in July 2026, lists a 0.85% service fee plus the 1% Mastercard or Visa assessment fee. Both apply to the converted amount of foreign currency transactions. The BPI Free+ card has a 2% service fee plus the 1% Visa assessment.
Paying in pesos does not always remove the 1%. BPI applies the assessment fee to foreign transactions converted and billed in pesos at the point of sale. It also applies it to peso charges processed by a foreign acquirer.
Pay in stablecoins; local tax and exchange rules still apply. Compare other countries in the Card Friction Index.
Is crypto legal in the Philippines?
Yes. Trading and holding crypto is legal, and the platforms that serve Filipino users must be registered. The SEC Rules on Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASP Rules) took effect on July 5, 2025. They apply to all entities, local or foreign, that offer crypto-asset services to persons in the Philippines. The SEC says the rules do not prohibit cryptocurrency trading or investment (BitPinas, August 16, 2025).
In August 2025, the SEC flagged 10 unregistered exchanges: OKX, MEXC, Bybit, KuCoin, Bitget, Kraken, CoinEx, Phemex, BitMart and Poloniex. PLDT blocked access to their sites (Decrypt, August 6, 2025). Separately, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas extended indefinitely its moratorium on new licences for virtual asset service providers (Newsbytes, September 2, 2025).
Where do I get USDT or USDC in the Philippines?
From a platform that is allowed to serve you, then withdraw it to the address shown in your SatFares account. Check that the platform is registered with the SEC or licensed by the Bangko Sentral before you buy. Then pick a network we accept:
- USDT: Tron (TRC-20) or Ethereum (ERC-20).
- USDC: Ethereum (ERC-20) only.
- BTC, ETH, SOL, LTC: on their own networks.
Send each coin only to the address shown for its network: funds sent on another network may be lost. The minimum top-up is $25. See paying with USDT on TRC-20.
Which routes from the Philippines can I book with SatFares?
Three routes in our list of 100 depart from Manila, and all three are on sale. They are in our list for their audience: Filipino travellers and workers going to the Gulf, Japan and Korea. These three routes are not measured by OAG. Destination pages: Dubai, Tokyo and Seoul.
| Route | Airports | Distance | Status with us |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila to Dubai | MNL → DXB | 6,905 km | On sale |
| Manila to Tokyo | MNL → NRT | 3,051 km | On sale |
| Manila to Seoul | MNL → ICN | 2,609 km | On sale |
Philippine airlines: crypto status and availability with us
| Name | Accepts crypto directly | How | Conditions | Dates | Checked | Source | Sold by SatFares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippine Airlines | Not checked yet | — | — | — | — | — | Available |
| Cebu Pacific | Not checked yet | — | — | — | — | — | Available |
Published by SatFares (TravelGoat LLC), which sells travel paid in crypto: we are not neutral. Each row is dated and links to its source; tell us when a status changes.
Can I book Cebu Pacific with crypto?
Yes, on request. Since October 12, 2026, Cebu Pacific flights can be searched on SatFares, as well as Philippine Airlines flights. After checkout, our team books the ticket with the airline and confirms the final total. The price shown in the search is the fare found live for all passengers, in US dollars, taxes included, with no fee added; the final total is confirmed before you are charged. Baggage and fare rules are confirmed with your booking.
Held, not charged
Your balance is held at checkout
The exact total shown is held on your balance. Nothing is charged yet.
We book the ticket for you
Bookings are made on request: our team books the ticket with the airline and confirms the final total. If it is higher than the amount held, you accept the new total or the amount is released.
Charged only when the e-ticket number is issued
Your balance is charged when the airline issues the e-ticket number. If we can't get the ticket issued in time, the full amount is released to your balance.
If the total changes before the ticket is issued, you see the new total and choose: accept it, or have the amount released. Nothing extra is ever taken without your agreement.
What does the airline need for a flight from Manila?
No ID upload, no selfie at checkout. Airline ID rules still apply. For each traveller: the names exactly as in the passport, the date of birth, the gender and the passport details. We pass them to the airline only. Philippine departure formalities and the visa rules of your destination still apply at the airport. Paying in crypto may be a taxable event in your country; keep a record of each top-up. See what data airlines require.
Flights from the Philippines paid in crypto: questions
Can I pay for a Manila to Dubai flight with USDT?
Yes. Top up your SatFares balance with USDT on Tron (TRC-20) or Ethereum (ERC-20), search MNL to DXB and check out. The total is held at checkout and charged only when the airline issues the e-ticket number. If it can't be issued in time, the amount is released.
How much does BPI charge on foreign transactions?
On most BPI credit cards, a 0.85% service fee plus the 1% Mastercard or Visa assessment, about 1.85% of the converted amount. The BPI Free+ card charges 2% plus 1%. The 1% assessment also applies to foreign transactions billed in pesos at the point of sale.
Is crypto legal in the Philippines?
Yes. Trading and holding crypto is legal. Since July 5, 2025, the SEC CASP Rules require platforms that offer crypto-asset services to people in the Philippines to be registered. The SEC says the rules do not prohibit cryptocurrency trading or investment.
Which crypto exchanges did the SEC flag in 2025?
In August 2025 the SEC flagged OKX, MEXC, Bybit, KuCoin, Bitget, Kraken, CoinEx, Phemex, BitMart and Poloniex as unregistered, and PLDT blocked access to them. The SEC said the list is not exhaustive. Check the SEC advisories before you choose a platform.
Can I book Cebu Pacific with SatFares?
Yes, on request. Since October 12, 2026, Cebu Pacific can be searched on SatFares, like Philippine Airlines. Our team books the ticket with the airline after checkout. Baggage and fare rules are confirmed with your booking, which matters on low-cost fares.
Which routes from Manila are on SatFares?
Three routes in our list: Manila to Dubai, Manila to Tokyo Narita and Manila to Seoul Incheon. All three are on sale, and none is measured by OAG yet. The live search also accepts other routes from Philippine airports, such as Cebu or Clark, and our team books the ticket on request.
What if the airline cancels my flight from Manila?
When the airline cancels your flight from Manila, you get a refund in USDT or USDC within 7 days, or a balance credit, as you choose. If you cancel yourself, the fare rules of your ticket apply and any refund is credited to your balance. Your flight booking is bound by the fare rules and Conditions of Carriage of the airline. Details: refunds when the airline cancels.
Sources (5)
- Credit card rates and fees — BPI (checked 2026-10-12)
- SEC clarifies CASP rules: crypto trading not prohibited, but registration now mandatory — BitPinas (checked 2026-10-12)
- Philippine SEC cuts access to offshore crypto exchanges — Decrypt (checked 2026-10-12)
- BSP extends moratorium on new VASP licenses — Newsbytes.PH (checked 2026-10-12)
- Chainalysis 2026 Global Crypto Adoption Index, top 20 — StatRanker (checked 2026-10-12)