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Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans new digital asset regulations in 2026 that cover crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and crypto futures. The Bangkok Post said the SEC will publish formal guidelines early this year, but it did not give a specific date.
The SEC aims to publish rules that support the establishment of crypto ETFs in Thailand. Officials want a clearer framework for digital asset-related products and activities, the report said.
SEC Deputy Secretary-General Jomkwan Kongsakul said investors worry about operational risks. She said crypto ETFs “eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security,” offering exposure without investors having to open digital wallets or manage private keys. That design could lower the operational burden for market entrants.
The SEC board has approved crypto ETFs in principle and is now finalizing investment and operational requirements, the report said. In addition, it said asset managers and licensed digital asset exchanges will need to coordinate on product design.
The SEC also considered a market maker system to support ETF liquidity, the report added. Still, officials have not published final approval criteria or listing requirements.
The SEC also plans to enable crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX). The Bangkok Post said TFEX would list the products under the Futures Trading Act.
Kongsakul remarked, “Crypto futures would be traded on TFEX under the Futures Trading Act.” She added that futures could offer hedging tools and more advanced risk-management options.
Furthermore, the SEC wants to recognize crypto assets as an underlying asset class under the Derivatives Act. That move would give crypto derivatives a clearer legal footing. The report said the regulator also plans rules for structured token products and other tokenized investment products. It described the work as part of a broader push to expand institutional activity under a unified path.
Meanwhile, the report said the SEC wants investors to treat crypto as another asset class. It said diversified investors should limit exposure to about 4% to 5%. Thailand also banned crypto payments; however, the country’s largest exchange, Bitkub, records roughly $60 million in daily trading volume.
Authorities have widened oversight as crypto trading remains active. SEC data show monthly crypto turnover above ฿100 billion, with USDT accounting for about 52% of volume, the report said. A Senate committee has called the SEC and other agencies to testify, the report said. The list included the Bank of Thailand, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and Bitkub.
In addition, The Nation reported last week that the Bank of Thailand has monitored stablecoin activity, particularly USDT transactions. It cited concerns over “grey money” flows and cross-border transfers.
The report said regulators are also working with the Bank of Thailand on a tokenization sandbox. It said the sandbox would test tokenized investment products under controlled conditions. Regulators have also increased scrutiny of online financial personalities and will require authorization for recommendations tied to securities or investment returns.
Consequently, crypto enforcement has continued alongside the policy work. The SEC recently suspended KuCoin Thailand after its capital fell below the minimum requirements for several days.
For now, the market is waiting for Thailand's crypto ETF regulations and TFEX futures requirements. The Bangkok Post said the regulator plans to issue the new rules in the early part of 2026.
