Thailand is making significant strides to establish itself as a prominent crypto-friendly financial hub in Asia, with its regulators actively finalizing new comprehensive rules for various digital asset products. By early 2026, the country anticipates having a finalized framework encompassing bitcoin and crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), futures trading, and a range of tokenized investment products.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand has confirmed its commitment to preparing detailed regulatory guidelines. These guidelines are designed to enable the formal establishment of crypto ETFs, facilitate crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX), and officially recognize digital assets as a legitimate asset class under existing derivatives law.

SEC Deputy Secretary-General Jomkwan Kongsakul highlighted that this new framework is intended to broaden access to digital assets while simultaneously mitigating security and custody concerns that have traditionally deterred institutional investors. Kongsakul emphasized that a key advantage of crypto ETFs is their ease of access, as they eliminate investor worries regarding hacking and wallet security.

The journey towards accessible Bitcoin and crypto ETFs is well underway. Thailand's SEC board has already given in-principle approval for crypto ETFs, and regulators are currently refining the operational rules concerning crucial aspects such as custody, liquidity, and the necessary cooperation between asset managers and licensed digital asset exchanges.

Thailand previously approved its first spot Bitcoin ETF in June 2024, initially limiting participation to institutional investors. By October 2025, the regulator indicated plans to expand these offerings beyond Bitcoin to include other major cryptocurrencies, such as Ether, potentially through diversified crypto “basket” products. Under the proposed regulatory framework, investors will be permitted to allocate up to 4–5% of their diversified portfolios to digital assets, striking a balance between fostering innovation and managing risk.

Once approved, these domestically listed crypto ETFs are expected to trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, providing local investors with exposure to digital assets without the requirement of direct ownership or management of cryptocurrencies.

Parallel to its efforts on ETFs, the SEC is also advancing plans to introduce crypto futures trading on the TFEX, operating under the Futures Trading Act. Regulators further intend to formally acknowledge digital assets as an underlying asset class within the Derivatives Act, thereby laying a clearer legal foundation for crypto-linked derivatives. To bolster liquidity and ensure price stability, the SEC plans to implement market-making mechanisms in 2026.

Potential market makers could include a diverse group of entities, such as financial institutions, licensed digital asset exchanges, corporations, and organizations that hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets. The introduction of a robust futures market is anticipated to equip investors with essential hedging tools and more sophisticated risk management options, concurrently broadening institutional participation in Thailand’s evolving digital asset markets.

Thailand’s proactive regulatory approach extends beyond just ETFs and derivatives. The SEC is also developing rules for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), which include tokenized bonds and other securities that can be issued and traded on blockchain infrastructure.

These initiatives are in alignment with broader global trends in asset tokenization and may eventually encompass baht-backed stablecoins. In 2025, Thailand took another significant step toward regulated digital finance by approving U.S. dollar stablecoins for local trading. Furthermore, on the tax front, Thailand has implemented a major incentive by eliminating capital gains tax on crypto trading, a policy in effect from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029.