Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finalised a comprehensive set of regulatory guidelines for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), crypto futures trading, and related digital asset products, aiming to roll them out in early 2026 as part of a broader effort to position the country as a leading digital asset hub in Asia. The SEC confirmed that it is preparing the necessary legal and operational framework to establish these products and formally recognise digital assets as an official asset class under existing derivatives law.
Under the new rules, crypto ETFs, including those tied to Bitcoin and potentially other major digital assets like Ether, would be allowed to list and trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, giving investors access to regulated investment products without requiring direct custody of cryptocurrencies. The SEC board has already approved crypto ETFs in principle, and the final regulations will address key market functions such as custody, liquidity provisions, and cooperation between asset managers and licensed crypto exchanges.
Alongside ETFs, the SEC plans to introduce regulated crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) under the country’s Futures Trading Act, allowing investors to engage in hedging and other risk-management strategies. The regulators also intend to recognise digital assets as a tradable asset class under the Derivatives Act, providing a solid legal foundation for new derivatives products and encouraging institutional participation in the market.
To support market development and price stability, the SEC will also explore mechanisms to introduce market makers, which may include financial institutions, licensed exchanges and corporations holding digital assets. These market makers are expected to help maintain liquidity and encourage participation from both institutional and retail investors once the products launch.
The regulatory initiative is part of a broader push by Thai authorities to modernise their financial sector and attract capital to regulated digital markets. Thailand has already taken steps such as exempting capital gains tax on crypto trading through 2029 and exploring tokenised investment products including tokenised bonds, further integrating blockchain-based finance into its capital markets.
IMF Africa department chief Abebe Aemro Selassie to retire in May
