Thailand SEC Preps Rules for Crypto ETFs and Futures Trading
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing regulations to enable crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), cryptocurrency futures trading, and tokenized investment products, as the country moves to position itself as a regional center for institutional digital-asset activity. If you are interested more on this topic, you can see more details in this Bangkok Post article.
Deputy secretary-general Jomkwan Kongsakul said the regulator aims to issue formal guidelines to allow the creation of crypto ETFs in Thailand “early this year,” the Bangkok Post reported on Thursday. Kongsakul added that ETF structures provide easier market access and reduce concerns about hacking and wallet security, which have deterred some investors.
The SEC also plans to authorize crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX). Additional measures include introducing market makers to support liquidity and classifying digital assets as an official asset class under the Derivatives Act. Check Blockshow for more information.
Thailand is seeking to attract institutional participation while retail trading remains active despite a ban on crypto payments. The country’s largest exchange, Bitkub, records daily trading volumes of around $60 million. Learn more about Thailand seeking to attract institutional participation in digital assets.
Tighter rules for financial influencers
Kongsakul said the SEC’s board has granted in-principle approval for crypto ETFs and the agency is finalizing investment and operational requirements.
Jomkwan Kongsakul (middle), pictured speaking at a conference in 2019, says the Thai SEC is moving to support crypto ETFs with rules. Source: UNDP
The SEC noted that crypto would be treated as “another asset class,” and investors could allocate up to 5% of a diversified portfolio to digital assets.
Oversight of “financial influencers” will tighten, with Kongsakul stating that any recommendations related to securities or investment returns must be made by individuals properly authorized as an investment advisor or introducing broker.
The SEC is working with the Bank of Thailand on a tokenization sandbox and will encourage issuers of bond tokens to participate, Kongsakul added.
KuCoin Thailand seeks to address SEC suspension
Separately, the Thai SEC suspended KuCoin Thailand’s operations earlier in January after its capital remained below the minimum threshold for five consecutive days, The Nation reported on Wednesday.
The company attributed the shortfall to a shareholder dispute between Singapore’s CI group and KuCoin Global that blocked approval of a planned capital increase, rather than to liquidity concerns.
KuCoin, which entered the Thai market in June 2025, said its local entity plans to apply for a digital-asset broker license to expand the range of financial products it can offer.
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