Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing to launch new rules related to crypto, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Thailand To Regulate Crypto ETFs And Futures This Year

As reported by Bangkok Post, the Thailand SEC is preparing regulatory changes related to crypto to support the growth of investment in the sector. Jomkwan Kongsakul, deputy secretary-general of the SEC, said the regulator is planning to issue guidelines supporting the launch of digital asset ETFs, while also working to enable crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX).

ETFs are investment vehicles that allow investors to gain exposure to an underlying asset without having to directly own it. In the context of digital assets, ETFs enable traders to invest into coins like Bitcoin without interacting with any on-chain element like wallets or exchanges.

In the United States, spot ETFs gained approval by the nation’s SEC in January 2024 for Bitcoin and July 2024 for Ethereum. Since then, these funds have attracted notable attention, capturing demand from traditional investors who were reluctant to deal with blockchain infrastructure.

Kongsakul noted:

A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access; they eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors.

Within Asia, Hong Kong approved spot ETFs for both Bitcoin and Ethereum in April 2024, while South Korea is planning to roll out similar investment vehicles this year.

According to Kongsakul, Thailand’s SEC board has already approved crypto ETFs in principle, with detailed investment and operational rules currently being finalized. Although an exact timeline is unknown, the SEC is expected to introduce the regulations “early this year.”

Alongside ETFs, the SEC is also moving to formally recognize crypto within Thailand’s derivatives framework, allowing digital asset futures products to trade on the TFEX. Kongsakul said crypto futures would provide traders with hedging tools and more sophisticated risk management options.

In related news, the US spot Bitcoin ETFs have faced weak demand recently, with the netflow for the current week sitting at a notable negative value, according to data from SoSoValue.

As displayed in the above graph, the US Bitcoin spot ETFs have witnessed net outflows of $1.19 billion this week so far. These negative netflows have come as the asset’s price has gone through a bearish shift, retracing the recovery it had made earlier this year.

Last week, the funds actually saw net inflows of $1.42 billion, breaking the trend of weak inflows or outright outflows that had persisted since mid-October. But this week’s netflow suggests the bullish market mood couldn’t last.

BTC Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading around $89,100, down more than 8% over the last week.

The Thailand cannabis industry, estimated to be worth $1 billion, is poised to shrink or disappear completely.

Thailand poised to recriminalize cannabis as boom sparks backlash – and boredom is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Bitcoin Magazine

Thailand Finalizes Rules for Bitcoin ETFs and Crypto Futures in Early-2026 Push

Thailand is moving decisively to cement its position as one of Asia’s most crypto-friendly financial centers, with regulators finalizing new rules for bitcoin and crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), futures trading, and tokenized investment products in early 2026.

The country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed this week that it is preparing comprehensive regulatory guidelines that would allow crypto ETFs to be formally established, crypto futures to trade on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX), and digital assets to be recognized as an official asset class under existing derivatives law.

SEC Deputy Secretary-General Jomkwan Kongsakul said the new framework is designed to expand access to digital assets while addressing security and custody risks that have historically deterred institutional investors.

“A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access,” Kongsakul said, according to local reports. “They eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors.”

Bitcoin and crypto ETFs are moving closer to market

Thailand’s SEC board has already approved crypto ETFs in principle, with regulators now finalizing operational rules covering custody, liquidity, and cooperation between asset managers and licensed digital asset exchanges.

Thailand approved its first spot Bitcoin ETF in June 2024, initially restricting participation to institutional investors. By October 2025, the regulator signaled plans to expand offerings beyond bitcoin to include other cryptocurrencies, such as ether, potentially in the form of diversified crypto “basket” products.

Under the proposed framework, investors would be allowed to allocate up to 4–5% of diversified portfolios to digital assets—an approach aimed at balancing innovation with risk management.

Once approved, domestically listed crypto ETFs could trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, offering local exposure without requiring investors to directly hold or manage cryptocurrencies.

Alongside ETFs, the SEC is advancing plans to launch crypto futures trading on TFEX under the Futures Trading Act. Regulators also intend to formally recognize digital assets as an underlying asset class under the Derivatives Act, providing a clearer legal foundation for crypto-linked derivatives.

To support liquidity and price stability, the SEC plans to introduce market-making mechanisms in 2026. Potential market makers could include financial institutions, licensed digital asset exchanges, corporations, and entities holding cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets.

The futures market is expected to provide investors with hedging tools and more advanced risk management options, while expanding institutional participation in Thailand’s digital asset markets.

Thailand’s recent crypto incentives

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

These efforts align with broader global trends in asset tokenization and could eventually include baht-backed stablecoins. In 2025, Thailand approved U.S. dollar stablecoins for local trading, marking another step toward regulated digital finance.

On the tax front, Thailand eliminated capital gains tax on crypto trading from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029. 

This post Thailand Finalizes Rules for Bitcoin ETFs and Crypto Futures in Early-2026 Push first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

• SEC deputy secretary-general Jomkwan Kongsakul said crypto ETF rules could be issued early this year.
• Thailand’s SEC will treat crypto as another asset class and allow up to 5% portfolio allocation to digital assets.
• KuCoin Thailand is seeking to resolve an SEC suspension linked to capital requirements and a shareholder dispute.

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing a new set of regulations designed to bring crypto investment products further into the country’s formal financial system.

The regulator is working on rules to support crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), crypto futures trading, and tokenised investment products, according to SEC deputy secretary-general Jomkwan Kongsakul.

The Bangkok Post reported on Thursday that the SEC aims to issue formal guidelines for crypto ETFs in Thailand “early this year.”

The move signals Thailand’s effort to position itself as a regional crypto hub for institutional investors, even as retail trading remains active despite a ban on crypto payments.

Crypto ETFs move closer to formal approval

Kongsakul said the SEC’s board has approved crypto ETFs in principle and the agency is now finalising investment and operational rules. He said the regulator sees crypto ETFs as a product that could reduce barriers for investors who may be hesitant about directly holding digital assets.

“A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access; they eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors,” Kongsakul said.

Under the proposed framework, the SEC will treat crypto as “another asset class,” and investors will be able to allocate up to 5% of a diverse portfolio to digital assets.

Futures trading planned for TFEX

Alongside ETF guidelines, the SEC is also moving to regulate and enable crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX).

This would allow investors to gain exposure to crypto price movements through regulated derivatives markets.

Kongsakul said other initiatives under consideration include establishing market makers to support trading liquidity and recognising digital assets as an official asset class under the Derivatives Act.

Thailand has been working to attract more institutional interest in crypto markets, particularly through regulated products that sit within existing legal frameworks.

Tokenisation and sandbox collaboration with central bank

The SEC is also expanding its approach beyond ETFs and futures through tokenisation initiatives.

Kongsakul said the agency is working with the Bank of Thailand on a tokenisation sandbox, which could provide a controlled setting for testing tokenised instruments.

The SEC “will encourage issuers of bond tokens to enter the regulatory sandbox,” Kongsakul added.

By pushing tokenised bond products into a supervised environment, Thailand could develop regulated pathways for blockchain-based issuance without opening the door to unmonitored retail distribution.

Tighter oversight for financial influencers

While expanding products and market access, the SEC is also tightening standards around promotion and investment-related content online.

Kongsakul said the regulator is stepping up oversight of “financial influencers,” signalling that marketing and informal advice will face more restrictions.

He said, “Any recommendation related to securities or investment returns will require proper authorisation as either an investment advisor or introducing broker.”

The rules aim to curb unregulated investment promotion, particularly at a time when digital assets continue to be widely discussed across social media.

KuCoin Thailand works to resolve SEC suspension

The regulatory shift comes as the Thai SEC continues enforcement actions in the local exchange market.

Earlier in January, the SEC suspended KuCoin Thailand’s operations after the company’s capital fell below the minimum requirements for five consecutive days, according to local news outlet The Nation on Wednesday.

KuCoin Thailand said the breach was linked to a shareholder dispute between Singapore’s CI group and KuCoin Global, which prevented approval of a planned capital increase.

The company said the issue was not due to actual financial liquidity problems.

KuCoin entered the Thai market in June 2025 and is planning for its local entity to apply for a digital-asset broker license.

The company said this would allow it to offer a wider range of financial products.

Thailand’s crypto market remains active, with Bitkub, the country’s largest exchange, seeing daily trading volumes of around $60 million.

Even with crypto payments banned, regulators appear to be prioritising controlled investment access through structured products such as ETFs, futures, and tokenised instruments.

The post Thailand moves toward crypto ETFs, futures and tokenised investment products appeared first on CoinJournal.

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission is finalizing regulations to introduce crypto exchange-traded funds early this year, alongside rules for crypto futures trading and expanded tokenized investment products, as the regulator moves to align the country’s capital market framework with accelerating global trends in digital asset adoption.

According to the Bangkok Post, Deputy Secretary-General Jomkwan Kongsakul confirmed that the SEC plans to issue formal guidelines supporting the establishment of crypto ETFs early this year, while working to enable crypto futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange.

The regulatory push builds on the SEC board’s approval of crypto ETFs in principle, with detailed investment and operational rules now undergoing final development requiring close cooperation between asset management companies and licensed digital asset exchanges.

THAILAND MOVES TO SUPPORT CRYPTO INVESTMENTS

Thailand’s 'SEC' says new rules are coming for crypto ETFs, crypto futures, and tokenized investments, formally recognizing digital assets as an official asset class under the law. pic.twitter.com/o5qMMBbZG4

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) January 22, 2026

Crypto ETFs Designed to Lower Barriers and Security Risks

Kongsakul emphasized that crypto ETFs offer significant advantages for Thai investors who already have access to similar products in overseas markets.

“A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access; they eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors,” she stated.

The products allow exposure to digital assets without opening digital wallets or managing private keys, substantially reducing operational and cybersecurity risks that have deterred mainstream participation.

The SEC is considering introducing market makers for crypto ETFs to ensure adequate liquidity, potentially including digital asset exchanges, financial institutions, corporations, and entities holding cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets.

Once finalized, jointly developed products between asset managers and licensed exchanges could be listed and traded on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

The regulator is also pursuing formal recognition of digital assets as an underlying asset class under the Derivatives Act, paving the way for crypto futures trading on TFEX under the Futures Trading Act.

“Crypto futures would be traded on TFEX under the Futures Trading Act,” Kongsakul explained, adding the move would provide investors with hedging tools and sophisticated risk management options.

Regulators Position Digital Assets as Portfolio Diversification Tool

The SEC emphasized that crypto should be treated as “another asset class” rather than a speculative instrument, recommending that investors with a higher risk tolerance allocate 4-5% of their portfolios to digital assets while maintaining diversification.

Thailand approved its first spot Bitcoin ETF in 2024 through One Asset Management, structured as a “fund of funds” that provides institutional clients with regulated access through global investment vehicles, following similar moves in the United States and Hong Kong.

The upcoming expansion into altcoin ETFs represents the next policy development stage, with Bloomberg reporting in October 2025 that the SEC was drafting rules in coordination with other agencies to widen crypto ETF offerings beyond Bitcoin to include a basket of digital tokens.

Thailand plans to expand its crypto ETF market beyond Bitcoin to include multiple tokens, with new rules expected early next year.#Thailand #CryptoETFs https://t.co/ob28LM5N0g

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) October 2, 2025

Beyond new investment products, the SEC intends to strengthen oversight of online financial personalities by establishing clearer boundaries between general market commentary and services that require professional licensing.

“Providing factual information may not require a licence, but any recommendation related to securities or investment returns will require proper authorisation as either an investment advisor or introducing broker,” Kongsakul stated.

Thailand Joins Global Push Toward Regulated Crypto Products

The regulator is collaborating with the Bank of Thailand to establish a sandbox to promote tokenization and distributed ledger technology, believing that tokenization could significantly lower barriers for retail investors and help digital assets become a meaningful driver of Thailand’s economic growth.

The SEC also wants to expand the use of digital tokens for investment beyond existing investment tokens to include bond tokens and tokenized fund units, with Thailand’s first green token expected to launch, supporting sustainable finance and ESG-linked investment.

Thailand chooses KuCoin as lead partner for historic $153M tokenized government securities with $3 minimum investment.#Thailand #Cryptohttps://t.co/do6x6GRhEE

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) August 27, 2025

Thailand’s preparations for a crypto ETF align with broader momentum across Asia and Western markets, as South Korea announced plans to introduce spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2026 as part of its Economic Growth Strategy, despite ongoing legislative disputes over stablecoin governance.

Vietnam has also introduced a crypto pilot licensing regime this week, requiring a minimum capital of $380 million, attracting interest from around 10 securities firms and banks.

Outside Asia, Vanguard has also reversed years of resistance by opening its $11 trillion brokerage platform to third-party crypto ETFs and mutual funds in December 2025, with its head of brokerage, Andrew Kadjeski, stating that “cryptocurrency ETFs and mutual funds have been tested through periods of market volatility, performing as designed while maintaining liquidity.“

The post Thailand Targets Early 2026 for Crypto ETF Regulations appeared first on Cryptonews.

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