Thailand Set to Launch Crypto ETFs in 2026 Amid Economic Headwinds
Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing to draft new rules for digital assets amid significant investor
Quick overview
- Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission is drafting new rules for digital assets, including ETFs and crypto futures, in response to growing investor interest.
- The SEC plans to issue formal guidelines for cryptocurrency ETFs and is collaborating with licensed exchanges to facilitate their listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
- Digital assets will be recognized as an underlying asset class under the Derivatives Act, allowing for crypto futures trading, although legal issues have delayed progress.
- Economic challenges, including high household debt and a strong Baht, may hinder the implementation of these new crypto regulations in Thailand.
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing to draft new rules for digital assets amid significant investor interest in regulated crypto markets. We’re expecting to see the framework sometime this year, and it’ll cover things like exchange-traded funds (ETFs), crypto futures, and tokens that are essentially investment instruments in digital form. This all comes from a report by the Bangkok Post.
Jomkwan Kongsakul, SEC’s Deputy Secretary-General, confirmed that the Commission will issue a set of formal guidelines for cryptocurrency ETFs in the near future. She said the Commission is looking to figure out the operational rules around how these things are put together and traded – basically trying to figure out how to make it all work in a way that’s good for everyone. She also mentioned that the Commission is working with some licensed exchanges and financial firms to help list ETFs on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Crypto Futures & The Sandbox
At the same time they’re working on the ETFs, the SEC will officially recognize digital assets as an underlying asset class under the Derivatives Act, which will let people trade crypto futures on the Thailand Futures Exchange. Unfortunately, this has been held up by some legal issues, but the SEC is determined to make it happen and get some companies testing their bond token products in a sort of ‘regulatory playground’ before they can get the final green light.
JUST IN: Thailand SEC plans to issue formal guidelines supporting the crypto ETFs.
Asia is coming 🚀 pic.twitter.com/br6N4HuvL8
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) January 22, 2026
Some key bits of information that investors need to know include:
- Putting around 4-5% of your portfolio into really high-risk digital assets.
- Looking beyond the usual stuff like Bitcoin and Ether to put your money into.
- Keeping a close eye on people who are offering investment advice to make sure they’re doing things properly.
If you want to share some facts about digital assets with people, that’s okay – it doesn’t require a licence. But if you want to recommend that people invest in something and get a return, then you need to be officially qualified as an investment advisor or introducing broker – that’s just how it is.
Economic Woes May Limit Growth
Unfortunately, the timing of Thailand’s new crypto-friendly rules is a bit of a problem. With the economy struggling with all sorts of issues – high household debt, a very strong Baht, and ongoing trade disputes with the US – it’s not exactly the best time to be launching a new financial sector. In fact, the Bank of Thailand is warning that the country’s competitiveness is weakening due to these problems.
The Baht has risen sharply against the dollar over the past year, which is bad news for exports, and now a 19% tariff is set to take effect in August 2025, which will probably make things even harder for Thai exports in 2026.
And to make matters worse, there’s also the small matter of a snap general election in February and some border tensions with Cambodia. But despite all these problems, Deputy Governor Piti Disyatat said the government is ‘not entirely out of options’. Thailand’s GDP growth in the second half of last year was just 1.3% year on year, and while exports were up 9.1%, things are expected to slow further in 2026 when the tariffs come into full effect.
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