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When it comes to spotting scam projects or bad actors in the crypto space, the Philippines’ tight-knit community is your best defense.
This was the key insight shared by Patricia Arro, a co-contributor of the developer community OpenGuild, during a panel discussion at Unfiltered 2026—The Next Play, the first IRL event of BitBulaga by Museigen and GCrypto this year.
For Arro, the community is so small that reputation travels fast within the ecosystem. “You will see the same faces,” she noted.
If a project or a person has a history of bad practices, there will almost certainly be “bad comments” circulating within the industry. These whispers, she suggested, are the first hint of whether a collaboration is a good idea.
But Arro clarified that spotting a red flag does not end on hearsay but urged the audience that if there are bad outbursts within the industry, they should investigate it on their own.
However, Arro clarified that due diligence should not end with hearsay. She urged the audience to investigate claims actively.
- She recommended checking specific Telegram communities where members openly discuss the habits and track records of different crypto projects.
The “Test It Yourself” Approach
Despite the value of community warnings, Arro shared she personally still prefers to verify the red flags herself.
“If the community is saying, like, ‘These projects, these teams are not good to work with,’ I still want to know it myself before I stop collaborating with them.”
Patricia Arro, Co-Contributor, OpenGuild
For Arro, this firsthand experience is the final judge. If the project proves the negative rumors true through their actions, only then will she cut ties.
This article is published on BitPinas: OpenGuild’s Patricia Arro: The Best Way to Spot Crypto Red Flags? “Ask the Community”
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