Maya Collaborates with Lydian to Make Digital Assets Mainstream in the Philippines

Leading Philippine digital financial services platform Maya is working with Lydian to ensure digital asset payments can be used in everyday commerce in the Philippines safely, compliantly and at scale.

Lydian’s global digital asset acceptance infrastructure, created through a collaboration between Tether and Cantor Fitzgerald, will soon be accessible to businesses that rely on Maya’s service across the country.

For consumers, paying with digital assets will be as simple as scanning a QR code in-store or selecting “Pay with Crypto” online. Merchants, meanwhile, will be able to accept digital asset payments while receiving settlement in Philippine pesos the same day. 

In the Philippines, merchants have faced significant challenges accepting digital assets – they manage volatility, handle custody risks, and navigate complex regulatory requirements. Consumers who hold digital assets also encounter limited opportunities to use them in real-world transactions. 

With this partnership, consumers will be able to pay with stablecoins using familiar checkout methods such as QR codes, payment links, and POS systems, turning digital assets from a store-of-value into a practical everyday payment option. For merchants, it means faster processing, lower transaction costs, near-instant settlement in local currency, and reduced chargeback risk.

Under the partnership, Maya will provide a regulated infrastructure layer that supports wallet screening, Travel Rule compliance, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) aligned reporting.

The initiative comes at a time when nearly 15% of the Philippine population already owns crypto, among the highest adoption rates in Asia. All while APAC stablecoin activity has grown roughly 70% year-on-year, representing around $2.4 trillion in annual on-chain flows. Lydian’s integration positions Maya at the forefront of this trend, enabling merchants to meet growing demand for alternative payment options and tap directly into the $4 trillion digital asset economy. 

Carl Grimstad, CEO of Lydian, said: “For too long, digital assets have been something people hold but rarely spend. Merchants struggle with volatility, regulations, and operational headaches, while consumers have had few ways to use their digital currencies in everyday life.

“By offering same-day settlement in Philippine pesos, we eliminate the volatility and cost barriers that have kept merchants on the sidelines. We aren’t just moving money; we are bringing unmatched utility to the market, allowing digital assets to be used safely and securely in everyday transactions.”

“Digital assets are becoming increasingly relevant for Filipinos, particularly in remittances and savings, but practical and compliant ways to use them for everyday payments remain limited,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Group President of Maya and Maya Bank Co-Founder. “Our collaboration with Lydian provides a secure and regulatory-aligned framework for integrating digital asset payments into mainstream commerce, enabling businesses and consumers to transact safely.”