Global fintech platform Pine Labs has officially launched its merchant payment services in the Philippines, naming GCash for Business as its primary local partner.
Under the agreement, Pine Labs will provide the software infrastructure to expand GCash’s merchant acquisition efforts.
The integration allows micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to accept a broader range of digital payments, including credit cards and QR codes, through a single point-of-sale (POS) system.
The collaboration aims to upgrade existing merchant solutions by embedding installment payment plans (IPP), rewards, loyalty programs, and cashback features directly into the checkout process.
The tech-first integration is designed to provide MSMEs with a more sophisticated fintech infrastructure, allowing them to manage multiple payment streams more efficiently.
Pine Labs’ technology will supplement GCash’s current suite of merchant tools, which includes PocketPay, a solution that converts smartphones into POS terminals, and SoundPay, a system providing real-time audio confirmations for transactions.
Additionally, the recently launched EasyPOS and SoundPay Plus devices are intended to give smaller businesses enterprise-grade payment capabilities at a lower cost, reducing the barrier to entry for digital adoption.
While this marks a significant entry into the local merchant acquiring space, Pine Labs already maintains a presence in the Philippines.
The company currently manages the gift card program for SM Retail and provides services to various local banks and financial institutions.
Dheeraj Chowdhry, chief business officer for Southeast Asia at Pine Labs, stated that the company’s deployment capabilities are intended to streamline merchant onboarding and engagement within the region.
“GCash helps Filipino entrepreneurs grow by giving them simple, reliable ways to accept payments and manage their daily operations. With our collaboration with Pine Labs, merchants can now offer more payment choices and added perks, making it easier for their businesses to expand and serve more customers,” said Paul Albano, general manager and head of GCash for Business.
