For this episode of METACO Talks we were joined by Catherine Bautista-Casas, Head of Blockchain Center of Excellence and Digital Asset Markets and VP Fintech Business Group at Union Bank of the Philippines. Catherine is a pioneer in blockchain in the Philippines and has spent the last 20 years at the forefront of innovation at Union Bank (in areas such as market risk, treasury and fixed income derivative trading, and blockchain). 

In this episode, we discussed, among others:  

- What prompted UnionBank to become the first Philippine lender to launch its own stablecoin 

- PHX? - What is driving the fast adoption of crypto currencies and other digital assets in the Philippines? 

- What is the bank’s Blockchain Center of Excellence, how has it grown over time and what are the plans for the years ahead? 

- What is the position of national regulators regarding crypto in general, and how supportive they are with initiatives such as Union Bank’s? 

- What are some of the technology considerations and challenges when it comes to operating digital assets?  

Disclaimer: This is not investment advice.