Tacloban City-based cryptocurrency payments firm Paytaca is expanding its footprint as a digital wallet provider in the Philippines, signing up more than 300 merchants that accept Bitcoin Cash as payment.
The company said it has been onboarding businesses in key cities, including Ormoc and Cebu, as part of efforts to grow everyday cryptocurrency use. It is also looking to expand further into Metro Manila and overseas markets such as Taiwan.
Paytaca is positioning its platform around peer-to-peer transactions and user-controlled wallets, which it says differentiate it from traditional financial systems and custodial crypto services.
During a recent presentation, Paytaca chief marketing officer Aaron Almadro said Bitcoin Cash is designed to function as a direct payment system between users.
“Bitcoin Cash functions as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system meant to empower individuals by giving them direct control over their finances,” Almadro said.
The company said it was able to onboard merchants in Ormoc within three months, and replicate a similar rollout in Cebu City in about six weeks, highlighting what it described as a scalable expansion model.
Central to Paytaca’s approach is the use of non-custodial wallets, where users retain full control of their funds. Almadro said this model allows users to manage assets without relying on intermediaries or surrendering personal data.
He also raised concerns about trends in the broader cryptocurrency sector, particularly the growth of centralized exchanges and stablecoins such as Tether (USDT), which he said could undermine decentralization.
Paytaca continues to promote Bitcoin Cash as its primary network, citing its features and suitability for day-to-day transactions.
The company said its focus remains on improving usability and expanding merchant adoption as part of efforts to make cryptocurrency more practical for regular payments.
