How to Buy Zcash (ZEC) in Philippines
Yes, you can buy Zcash in the Philippines through BSP-registered exchanges.
Available on local exchanges
The BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) regulates Virtual Asset Service Providers, with the SEC involved on securities-classified offerings. On January 30, 2026, the BSP issued a memorandum directing financial firms to strengthen crypto-related risk defenses, and on February 2, 2026 barred direct retail access to offshore VASPs that lack BSP registration or SEC authorization.
Recommended exchanges
These exchanges serve Philippines residents and list Zcash (ZEC). Fees shown are for the lowest 30-day volume tier; your rate can drop as your trading volume grows.
| Exchange | Best for | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraken | Most ZEC liquidity | Starting at 0.25% / 0.40% | Sign up |
| Coinbase | Largest US exchange, public company | 0.40% / 0.60% | Sign up |
| Crypto.com | Mobile-first | Starting at 0.25% / 0.50% | Sign up |
How to buy Zcash (ZEC) in Philippines: step by step
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Pick an exchange
For most Philippines buyers, Kraken is a reasonable starting choice: Most ZEC liquidity. The table above compares fees and specialties if you want to shop around. All listed options are licensed to serve Philippines residents.
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Create an account and verify your identity
Sign up with your email, set a strong password, and enable two-factor authentication. The exchange will ask for a government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID) and a selfie. This is called KYC (Know Your Customer) and is legally required. Verification usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.
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Fund your account
Regional exchanges accept local bank transfers, plus often:
- Local bank transfer (the cheapest option, timing varies by country)
- Debit card (instant, higher fee)
Check with the exchange for your country's specific payment options. Some local payment rails (PayNow in Singapore, FPS in Hong Kong, UPI in India) are supported where available.
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Place your ZEC order
On the exchange, find the ZEC trading pair (usually ZEC/USD or ZEC/EUR depending on your region). You have two order types to choose from:
- Market order: buy immediately at the current price. Simple, fills in seconds.
- Limit order: set the exact price you are willing to pay. Fills only when the market reaches that price.
For your first purchase, a market order is fine. Limit orders are better once you are comfortable with the interface and want more control.
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Move your ZEC off the exchange
Once the order fills, your ZEC sits in the exchange's wallet. For long-term holding, move it to a wallet you control. This is called self-custody and it means only you can access the coins. Leaving coins on an exchange means you are trusting the exchange to stay solvent and honest.
For Zcash (ZEC), look at the wallet reviews for options that support Zcash shielded addresses.
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Record the transaction for tax
Keep a record of the date, the amount of ZEC purchased, the price you paid (in your local currency), and any fees. You will need this for your tax return when you eventually sell or spend the coin. Most exchanges export a transaction history in CSV format.
What to know
Common questions
Is it legal to buy and hold Zcash in the Philippines?
Yes, fully legal. The BSP regulates VASPs, and Filipino residents can hold any cryptocurrency.
Where can I buy Zcash in the Philippines?
Through BSP-registered VASPs. After the February 2, 2026 order, foreign exchanges that lack BSP registration or SEC authorization cannot directly serve Filipino retail customers.
What does the February 2, 2026 BSP order do?
It bars direct retail access by Philippine customers to offshore VASPs that are not registered with the BSP or authorized by the SEC. The intent is to keep retail activity within the Philippine regulated perimeter.
Do I have to pay tax on Zcash gains?
Yes. Filipino tax treats crypto gains as taxable income. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued guidance on virtual asset taxation.
What if I'm visiting the Philippines from another country?
Visitors are not subject to Filipino tax on crypto held elsewhere. Trades on a Filipino exchange during a visit may be reportable in your home country.
Legal & regulatory detail
BSP VASP registration, SEC oversight for securities-classified crypto offerings. AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Act) applies. February 2, 2026 BSP order restricts retail access to unregistered offshore VASPs.