OKX App Removed in Philippines Amid EU MiCA Expansion

The primary mobile trading application of the international cryptocurrency exchange OKX has been removed from the Google Play Store in the Philippines. The removal follows a Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission advisory that flagged OKX and other foreign exchanges for operating without the required Virtual Asset Service Provider licence, prompting takedown requests to technology platforms. The regulator warned of risks such as loss of funds and money‑laundering concerns, and earlier actions have blocked websites of several unlicensed exchanges.

At the same time, OKX is expanding its European operations after securing authorisation under the EU Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) framework. The exchange established its European headquarters in Malta, a jurisdiction that issued a local licence years ago and is recognised for its crypto‑friendly regulatory regime. CEO of OKX Europe, Erald Ghoos, said the firm aims to become the reference platform for both retail and institutional users, offering services that include DeFi, tokenised equities and real‑world assets.