Thailand is taking significant steps to establish itself as a leading hub for cryptocurrency in Asia. The country”s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently announced that it is finalizing regulatory guidelines to allow for the formal establishment of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as futures trading and tokenized investment products, by early 2026.
In a statement released this week, SEC Deputy Secretary-General Jomkwan Kongsakul emphasized that the new framework aims to increase access to digital assets while also addressing the security and custody concerns that have previously discouraged institutional investors. Kongsakul noted, “A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access. They eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors.”
The SEC has already granted preliminary approval for crypto ETFs, and regulators are in the process of finalizing operational rules that will cover critical aspects such as custody, liquidity, and collaboration between licensed digital asset exchanges and asset managers.
Notably, Thailand approved its first spot Bitcoin ETF in June 2024, with initial participation limited to institutional investors. By October 2025, the SEC indicated plans to broaden these offerings to include additional cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum, potentially introducing diversified crypto “basket” products. According to the proposed guidelines, investors may allocate up to 4–5% of their diversified portfolios to digital assets, a strategy aimed at balancing innovation with risk management.
Once these regulations are approved, locally listed crypto ETFs will be able to trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, providing investors with exposure to digital assets without the need to directly manage or hold cryptocurrencies themselves.
In conjunction with the developments surrounding ETFs, the SEC is also working to launch crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) in accordance with the Futures Trading Act. Furthermore, there are plans to officially recognize digital assets as an underlying asset class under the Derivatives Act, establishing a clearer legal framework for crypto-linked derivatives.
To bolster market liquidity and price stability, the SEC intends to introduce market-making mechanisms by 2026. Potential market makers may include financial institutions, licensed digital asset exchanges, corporations, and entities that hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets. This futures market is anticipated to provide investors with tools for hedging and advanced risk management, further encouraging institutional participation in Thailand”s digital asset landscape.
Beyond ETFs and derivatives, Thailand”s regulatory agenda also encompasses rules for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), which include tokenized bonds and other securities poised to be issued and traded on blockchain infrastructure. These initiatives align with a global trend toward asset tokenization and could potentially incorporate baht-backed stablecoins. In a notable move in 2025, Thailand approved the trading of U.S. dollar stablecoins locally, marking significant progress in regulated digital finance.
On the taxation front, Thailand has eliminated capital gains tax on cryptocurrency trading effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029, further enhancing its attractiveness as a destination for crypto investment.
