GCash, Indonesia’s Pluang pilot global investing platforms under PH ‘sandbox’ program  

Two companies are poised to offer more global stock investing options to Filipinos following the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of their trial period.

Indonesia-based Macodimarc Technology Corp. (Pluang PH) and G-XChange Inc., the operator of e-wallet platform GCash, were both issued notices of approval for their entry into the SEC Strategic Sandbox.

This allows them to test their product, service or model in a controlled environment.

“This crucial framework ensures that while innovation thrives, investor protection and market integrity remain paramount,” SEC Chair Emilio Aquino said on Monday.

In the case of GCash, it will provide access to global stock markets via GStocks Global.

Winsley Bangit, GCash vice president and head of new businesses, told reporters they would offer “select” US stocks to a limited number of users —those who have G-Invest—and begin testing in the third quarter.

The trial period will run for two years and admit up to 2 million participants.

Pluang PH is set to test its own mobile application to allow retail investors to invest in preselected US securities, marking its first venture outside Indonesia.

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Pluang PH’s sandbox will run for six months and involve up to 1,000 qualified users.

Pluang PH cofounder Richard Chua said, “There’s room for a new brand and a new offering that can speak to these much younger populations who are digitally savvy.”

In Indonesia, Pluang has over 1 million users investing in stocks, mutual funds, gold and cryptocurrency.