This developed after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) gives the go signal for the use of GCash by Filipinos with international SIMs.
GCash in a statement said that BSP has approved the start of the beta launch of GCash Overseas, allowing Filipinos in Japan, Australia, and Italy to sign up for GCash even without a Philippine SIM. The beta mode will run for a limited time, and the full launch is expected later this year.
GCash touted as the Philippines’ no. 1 finance app is the first and only e-wallet in the Philippines that can now be used abroad. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), the first and only duacorn in the Philippines.
“We continue to make a difference in Filipinos' lives by making financial services easier and more accessible to our now 76 million-strong registered users. With around 10 million Filipinos living abroad, we want them to also be able to take advantage of GCash services even as they use international SIMs. As more people put their trust in GCash, we strive to remove more barriers and create a better experience for all,” Martha Sazon, the president and CEO of GCash said.
Under the beta launch, only the first 1,000 users from Japan, Australia, and Italy can access GCash with an international SIM card. Once they’re fully verified, Filipinos overseas regardless of their SIM card can begin signing up for GCash and support their families back home by sending money for free (GCash-to-GCash), paying for bills on time, and instantly buying them load credits with just a few taps on the app.
GCash international expansion came with its partnership with the global payments platform, Alipay+.
Aside from GCash Overseas, it can now be used to pay in select merchants across countries like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Qatar as well as top European destinations like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy.
GCash offers its users a wide variety of accessible financial products and services, such as Send Money, Buy Load, and Pay Bills. Likewise, users can explore other innovative financial services to jumpstart their journey toward their financial goals through GSave, GInsure, and GInvest.
Data show, there are currently 76M registered users of GCash Ap. These users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 5.2M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones.
The Betaversion of GCash Overseas is now available for the first 1,000 users in Japan, Australia, and Italy. Register using any SIM with a Philippine Passport.