Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is drafting a comprehensive rulebook for cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds and futures trading. Regulators aim to release key guidelines in early 2026 as part of a broader digital asset roadmap.
Deputy Secretary General Jomkwan Kongsakul said the rules will explain how asset managers can launch crypto ETFs under Thai law. The move builds on strong domestic interest, with local crypto trading volumes already in the hundreds of billions of baht each month.
Crypto ETFs To Fit Into Mainstream Portfolios
The SEC board has given in principle backing to crypto ETFs that track assets like Bitcoin, with plans to expand to other coins. These funds will trade on traditional exchanges and provide investors with price exposure without requiring direct token custody.
New guidelines will set out which digital assets qualify, what kind of custody is allowed, and how risk must be explained. Officials say crypto should sit as a small slice of diversified portfolios, with draft rules suggesting a 5 percent allocation cap.
Thailand’s SEC to Enable Futures Trading On TFEX And Legal Status
Alongside ETFs, Thailand plans to permit cryptocurrency futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange, a unit of the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Crypto futures will use existing clearing and margin systems so investors can hedge price swings in a familiar setting.
The framework will also recognize digital assets as an official asset class under the Derivatives Act. This change removes legal gray areas and gives institutions a clear basis for offering crypto-related products.
Further, the SEC is working with the Bank of Thailand on a tokenization sandbox for bond tokens and other tokenized securities. Issuers can test products under strict supervision before wider rollout in the capital market.
These actions support the SEC’s 2026–2028 plan, which emphasizes tokenization and digital assets as key areas of development. Thailand aspires to join Singapore and Hong Kong as Southeast Asia’s regulated center for blockchain and cryptocurrency financing.
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