Filipinos make only about three digital payment transactions monthly, said Philippines-based venture capital firm Kaya Founders in a report, attributing the figures to transaction fees and infrastructure gaps.
Despite the uptrend in the country’s InstaPay and PESONet transfers, reaching ₱7.69 trillion for 2026 as of March, it is found that though instant digital payments are available, consumer usage still does not deepen.
In comparison, the Philippines’ transactions are expensive by global standards – a whopping ₱10 to ₱25 (InstaPay) or up to ₱50 (PESONet) per transaction.
India’s UPI and Brazil’s Pix converted to Philippine Peso translates to ₱0 to ₱0.50 per transaction, marking a stark contrast.
Digital-Only Economy in the Long Run
It is no doubt that the Philippines has showcased widescale and impressive speed of fintech adoption in the past few years. Digital transactions are taking place left and right through various digital channels, for various use cases.
While the push for a digital-only economy seems convenient for most, it cannot be denied that users demand cost restructuring along the ease-of-use.
Filipinos latch on the zero-fee options as much as possible, especially for small-value transactions.
