Digital payment platform Oobit has officially launched its services in the Philippines, introducing a novel system that converts international remittances directly into USDT for immediate spending. The expansion targets the country’s massive overseas worker community, which sent over $40 billion in remittances in 2024, by eliminating traditional banking delays and high transfer fees through stablecoin technology.
The service allows recipients to receive funds as Tether’s USDT stablecoin and immediately spend them at Oobit’s partner merchants using tap-and-pay functionality. This bypasses the need for bank accounts and currency conversion steps that typically burden cross-border payments. Partner retailers include major supermarket chains, restaurants, and service providers throughout Metro Manila and other urban centers, with rapid expansion planned nationwide.
This launch represents a significant milestone in real-world crypto adoption, particularly in a market where remittances constitute nearly 10% of GDP. By combining blockchain’s efficiency with familiar payment card technology, Oobit aims to make digital dollar usage as seamless as traditional money for everyday transactions. The Philippines becomes the third Southeast Asian market for Oobit following successful deployments in Singapore and Vietnam, signaling the company’s strategic focus on high-remittance corridors.
