GoTyme Makes Major Push Into Crypto With New In App Trading in the Philippines

GoTyme, a digital bank in the Philippines with 6.5 million customers, has launched crypto services after forming a partnership with US fintech firm Alpaca. The move brings easy access to digital assets inside the bank’s mobile app, making GoTyme one of the first major local banks to offer direct crypto purchases.

The new feature supports 11 assets, including Bitcoin, Ether, Solana and Polkadot. Users can buy tokens through an automatic conversion from Philippine pesos to USD. The bank said the goal is to make crypto buying simple for everyday users rather than targeting heavy traders.

CEO Nate Clarke said the bank wants customers to feel comfortable buying crypto without dealing with technical details or using several apps. GoTyme is positioning its service as a straightforward option for people who want an entry point into digital assets.

Easy Access Through a Fast Growing Digital Bank

GoTyme launched in October 2022 and has climbed quickly in user numbers. Nikkei Asia reported in September that the platform had already reached more than 6.5 million customers across the Philippines. The bank was created through a partnership between Tyme Group of Singapore and the Filipino conglomerate Gokongwei Group.

According to the company website, customers can open an account and receive a debit card in about 5 minutes. With crypto now added, new users can move directly from account setup to buying digital assets inside the same app.

The bank has not yet said whether it will add advanced trading tools. For now, the emphasis is on simple buying and storage, which matches the bank’s broader approach of keeping financial services easy to use.

Expansion Across Southeast Asia in the Works

GoTyme plans to move beyond the Philippines, with Vietnam and Indonesia listed as its next targets. 

Clarke recently told the Digital Banker that the bank is prioritizing user growth over profit for the next few years. He said GoTyme aims to scale fast and does not expect to focus on profitability until 2027. The main goal, he said, is to build a large and active base of customers.

Chainalysis ranked the Philippines ninth worldwide in its 2025 adoption index. Local lawmakers are also debating a proposal that would allow the government to build a strategic reserve of 10,000 BTC.