Thailand is moving to broaden regulated access to bitcoin through new ETF and derivatives rules slated for early 2026.
ETF rules in early 2026
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it is preparing regulatory guidelines for the establishment of exchange-traded funds that give investors exposure to assets like bitcoin without managing self-custody.
SEC Deputy Secretary-General Jomkwan Kongsakul said Thailand plans to:
“Issue regulatory guidelines for the establishment of crypto ETFs early this year.”
Thailand approved its first spot bitcoin ETF in June 2024, initially limited to institutional investors.
By October 2025, the SEC said it planned to expand offerings beyond bitcoin to include other assets in a “basket” structure.
Under the updated framework, investors may allocate up to 5% of diversified portfolios to digital assets.
Futures trading on TFEX
Alongside ETFs, the Thai SEC is rolling out rules for bitcoin-linked futures trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX), using existing infrastructure under the Futures Trading Act.
The Thai SEC also plans to recognize digital assets as an official asset class under the Derivatives Act.
Tokenization and tax incentives
Thailand is advancing rules for tokenized bonds and other real-world assets, and officials have also discussed the possibility of baht-backed stablecoins.
The country removed capital gains tax on digital asset trades from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2029.
Officials have also stepped up enforcement against unlicensed financial influencers and tightened credential requirements for investment advice.
