by Edielyn Mangol, Reporter
Tonik, the Philippines’ first neobank, has achieved a historic milestone as the first Philippine company to join the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) Asian Startup Program — signaling its intent to deepen ties with Japanese investors and potentially tap Japan’s capital markets in the future.
The announcement was made during IGNITE 2025: Gateway ASEAN, held at the Fairmont Makati, where Tonik CEO Greg Krasnov joined Beomsu Son of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in a fireside chat highlighting the neobank’s next phase of growth and its vision to reshape the Philippine banking landscape.
A new chapter in cross-border fintech collaboration
Tonik’s participation in the TSE’s Asian Startup Program marks a significant first for the Philippines. The initiative is designed to connect promising Southeast Asian startups with Japan’s deep capital markets, providing a bridge for growth-stage companies seeking strategic investors and potential listings in Tokyo.
For Tonik, the move is both symbolic and strategic. As Krasnov emphasized during the event, building relationships with institutional investors is crucial to sustaining long-term innovation.
“We’re proud to be the first company from the Philippines to participate in this program,” Krasnov said. “Building relationships with investors is key to how we’ll redefine banking in the Philippines.”
The partnership also strengthens Tonik’s ties with Japanese financial institutions — notably Mizuho Bank, one of Japan’s largest lenders and one of Tonik’s earliest backers.
Pioneering digital banking in PH
Since its launch in 2021, Tonik has been at the forefront of the country’s digital banking revolution. Backed by a full digital bank license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the neobank has become a benchmark for customer acquisition, offering savings and loan products tailored to an underbanked population.
Joining the TSE’s Asian Startup Program marks Tonik’s evolution from a high-growth fintech disruptor to a regional contender with global ambitions. The move aligns with its broader goal of expanding its investor base and exploring pathways to sustainable, capital-backed growth.
As the Philippines positions itself as a key fintech hub in ASEAN, Tonik’s entry into Japan’s investor ecosystem reflects how cross-border collaboration is reshaping regional financial innovation.
Addressing credit challenges with responsible lending
During IGNITE 2025, Krasnov also addressed one of the country’s persistent financial challenges: limited credit access. He noted that many Philippine banks still struggle with managing credit risk and providing affordable loans.
Tonik aims to close that gap through digital-first lending solutions that help Filipinos build credit responsibly while maintaining profitability.
“We’re focused on offering feasible loans that truly help Filipinos grow financially,” Krasnov said. “By doing this responsibly, we’re also improving overall credit quality in the market.”
Tonik’s loan portfolio continues to expand through products such as salary loans and installment credit, supported by advanced data analytics for credit scoring and risk management.
This balanced approach allows the bank to pursue growth without compromising stability — a key differentiator in an environment where many lenders remain cautious amid volatile economic conditions.
Sustainability and profitability at the core
Despite being one of the youngest players in the digital banking space, Tonik has already demonstrated a clear path toward profitability — a feat that remains elusive for many fintech startups in Southeast Asia.
According to Krasnov, Tonik’s strategy centers on growing its capital base in proportion to its assets to ensure steady and sustainable expansion.
“We grow our capital base in proportion to assets, ensuring thoughtful and sustainable growth,” he noted. “Profitability is one of our top priorities.”
This discipline is reflected in Tonik’s focus on operational efficiency and targeted lending. While other neobanks scale through aggressive customer acquisition, Tonik is pursuing sustainable returns, balancing growth with financial prudence.
Bridging the Philippines and Japan through fintech
Japan’s growing interest in Southeast Asian fintech is no coincidence. With a mature capital market but a slowing domestic economy, Japanese investors are increasingly looking to emerging markets like the Philippines for higher-yield opportunities.
Through the TSE’s Asian Startup Program, Tonik gains access to a network of institutional investors, venture capitalists, and strategic partners — accelerating its path toward future fundraising and, potentially, a public listing.
For Japan, Tonik represents the kind of tech-driven, high-impact startup that aligns with its digital transformation goals. For the Philippines, it signals growing international confidence in its fintech ecosystem.
“The Philippines is becoming an exciting testbed for digital banking,” said Beomsu Son of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. “Programs like this aim to bring more visibility to startups like Tonik that are building strong, scalable models across ASEAN.”
Ignite 2025: A platform for ASEAN innovation
Tonik’s participation in IGNITE 2025 underscores the growing importance of innovation conferences as convergence points for startups, investors, and regulators.
The event, themed “Gateway ASEAN,” gathered hundreds of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and policymakers to discuss how cross-border collaboration can accelerate digital growth.
By featuring leaders like Greg Krasnov, the event highlighted fintech’s central role in ASEAN’s digital economy — especially as governments push for greater financial inclusion and resilience.
A vision for the future of banking
As Tonik deepens its ties with Japan through the TSE program, its roadmap becomes clearer: scale responsibly, attract global investment, and empower more Filipinos through modern, accessible financial tools.
Under Krasnov’s leadership, Tonik continues to evolve from a disruptive challenger bank into a sustainable financial institution — one that balances growth with governance, and innovation with inclusion.
In a market where many digital banks are still finding their footing, Tonik’s entry into the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Asian Startup Program sends a powerful message: the future of Philippine fintech is not just local — it’s global.
