GCash OK'd for use abroad sans Philippine SIM

Ayala-backed mobile wallet GCash can now be used abroad through international SIM cards after it secured the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) approval to launch the service.

In a statement, GCash said the central bank has approved the beta launch of GCash Overseas.

The new service allows Filipinos in Japan, Australia, and Italy to sign up for the mobile wallet even without a Philippine SIM.

"With around 10 million Filipinos living abroad, we want them to also be able to take advantage of GCash services even as they use international SIMs," said GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon.

There are 76 million registered GCash users, according to Sazon.

"As more people put their trust in GCash, we strive to remove more barriers and create a better experience for all," said Sazon.

Under the beta launch, GCash said only the first 1,000 users from Japan, Australia, and Italy can access the mobile wallet with an international SIM card.

Once they're fully verified, Filipinos overseas, regardless of their SIM card, can begin signing up for GCash either to send money to their families back home, pay bills, or buy load credits.

GCash said the beta mode will run for a limited time only and the full launch is expected later this year.

The mobile wallet said it has also been doubling down on its international expansion on the back of its partnership with global payments platform Alipay+.

Aside from GCash Overseas, the mobile wallet said it can now be used to pay in select merchants across countries such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Qatar as well as top European destinations like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy. —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA Integrated News