The Binance mobile application has been removed from the Google Play Store in the Philippines, cutting off new downloads and official updates for local users as regulators escalate their crackdown on unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges operating in the country.

As of February 17, 2026, searches for “Binance” on the Philippine Google Play Store redirect users to alternatives such as local exchange Coins.ph or region-specific versions like Binance Thailand and Binance Turkey, according to multiple reports. The move follows earlier requests by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for major app platforms to restrict access to the exchange’s services in the country.

The removal is part of a broader enforcement campaign aimed at platforms that have not secured the licenses required to offer crypto-related products to Filipino users. The SEC has repeatedly warned that Binance is operating in violation of local securities regulations, citing the company’s failure to register and obtain the necessary approvals.

In parallel with the app store action, access to Binance’s website has been restricted at the internet service provider (ISP) level in the Philippines, based on directives from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Users attempting to visit the site without workarounds such as virtual private networks (VPNs) or alternative DNS settings have reported being unable to connect.

Binance app remains available on the Apple App Store in some cases, though enforcement appears to vary by platform and region. Regulators have not issued a detailed public statement specifically addressing the discrepancy, but officials have previously said their focus is on limiting access to unlicensed platforms that continue to solicit Filipino users.

The regulatory push dates back to late 2023, when the SEC first issued warnings against Binance for operating without a license. In April 2024, the commission formally asked Google and Apple to remove the app from their Philippine app stores, arguing that the platform was offering investment products without authorization under the Securities Regulation Code. Enforcement intensified in 2025 and early 2026, with the NTC implementing ISP-level blocks on the Binance website.

By mid-February 2026, reports confirmed that the app had fully disappeared from the Philippine Google Play Store, marking one of the most concrete steps yet in the government’s effort to curtail access to the exchange.

Regulators have said the measures are intended to protect Filipino investors from the risks associated with unregulated trading platforms, including fraud, inadequate consumer protections, and the absence of legal recourse in disputes. The SEC has also framed the action as part of a wider campaign against non-compliant foreign exchanges serving local users without registration.

Binance has not issued a detailed public response to the latest app store removal in the Philippines. Some users have reported that the company’s support channels have said services remain accessible via the website, although that access is now limited locally due to the ISP blocks.'

For users, the immediate impact is practical. New users can no longer download the app through official channels, while existing users may be unable to receive security updates, increasing the risks associated with using outdated software or turning to unofficial installation methods. Industry observers have warned that sideloading apps from outside official stores can expose users to malware and phishing attacks.

The restrictions are also expected to affect Binance’s ability to acquire new users in the Philippines, a market that has been among the more active in Southeast Asia for crypto trading and peer-to-peer transactions. Analysts say the move could reduce trading volumes originating from the country and accelerate user migration to locally licensed platforms.

Local exchanges such as Coins.ph and PDAX, which operate under Philippine regulatory approvals, are widely seen as potential beneficiaries of the enforcement action, as users look for compliant alternatives with full access to local payment rails.

At the same time, some users have turned to workarounds, including VPNs, DNS changes, or decentralized exchanges, to maintain access to global platforms. Regulators have cautioned, however, that using unlicensed services remains a legal and financial risk for consumers.

The app removal underscores the Philippine government’s increasingly assertive stance on crypto regulation, signaling a shift from warnings to concrete access restrictions as authorities seek to bring the market under tighter supervision.

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