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Thailand: crypto & digital assets regulation

Regulated

Thailand VASP licensing under 2018/2025 Emergency Decrees; SEC oversight

Lead regulator:
Securities and Exchange Commission Thailand
Key law:
Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 (2018) as amended
Last updated:
2026-07-12

Thailand maintains a regulated framework for digital assets under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which supervises token offerings and licenses operators. The regime requires domestic and foreign entities targeting Thai users to obtain specific licenses and comply with investor protection standards. Recent amendments extend jurisdiction to offshore operators exhibiting indicators of targeting domestic users.

The legal basis is the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561, enacted to ensure economic stability and protect investors. It mandates that digital asset exchanges, brokers, and custodians operate under SEC supervision. Token issuers must also secure SEC approval and file prospectuses for public offerings.

The regulatory stance is active and expanding, with the 2025 amendment closing cross-border loopholes. Operators must adhere to strict requirements to maintain their licenses. The framework aims to balance innovation with financial stability and consumer safety.

Who regulates

  • Securities and Exchange Commission Thailand

    Primary supervisor of digital asset businesses, token offerings, and exchanges

    [1][2][3][4]

Core laws & rules

  • Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 (2018)

    Establishes the regulatory framework for digital asset businesses, defines cryptocurrencies, and grants the SEC authority to supervise the sector and protect investors.

    [2][3][4]

  • Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses (No. 2) B.E. 2568 (2025)

    Amends the 2018 Decree to extend regulatory oversight to digital asset operators located outside Thailand but serving domestic users.

    [1]

Licensing & registration

  • Digital Asset Exchange, Broker, Custodian, and Token Issuer

    Operators must obtain licenses from the SEC. Token issuers require SEC approval and must file prospectuses for public offerings. Foreign operators targeting Thai users must also obtain a license.

    [2][3][4][1]

Restrictions & warnings

  • Foreign operators serving domestic users are subject to licensing if they exhibit specific indicators of targeting Thai users.

    [1]

  • Digital asset businesses must comply with strict requirements mandated by the Emergency Decree to maintain licenses.

    [2]

Direction of travel

  • The regulatory stance is tightening cross-border oversight, as evidenced by the 2025 amendment extending jurisdiction to foreign operators.

    [1]

Sources

  1. Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses (No. 2) B.E. 2568 · 2025-01-01
  2. Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 (2018) as amended · 2018-01-01
  3. Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 (2018) · 2018-01-01
  4. Summary of the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 · 2018-01-01

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This guide is compiled automatically from 4 primary-source documents published by Thailand's regulators, reviewed by RegAlert, and refreshed monthly (last updated 2026-07-12). It is not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the regulator or local counsel before acting.