Regulatory AlertsThailand: crypto & digital assets regulation
RegulatedThailand VASP licensing via SEC; Foreign operators now licensed if targeting domestic users
- Lead regulator
- Securities and Exchange Commission Thailand (SEC Thailand)
- Also involved
- Bank of Thailand (payment systems) · Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (supervision)
- Core law
- Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 (2018) as amended
- Entry capital
- —
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- Segregated custody required
- Data protection
- Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)
- Sandbox
- —
Thailand regulates digital assets under the SEC, requiring licenses for exchanges, brokers, and custodians. The 2018 framework mandates strict compliance for domestic and foreign operators targeting Thai users. Recent amendments extend licensing obligations to offshore entities serving domestic markets.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange / trading platform | LicenceDigital Asset Exchange Operator License[1][2] Mandatory for platforms facilitating trading | — | — | SEC Thailand |
| Custody of client assets | LicenceDigital Asset Custodian License[1][2] Required for holding client assets | — | — | SEC Thailand |
| Token issuance / public offering | LicenceDigital Asset Offering Advisor License[3] Issuers must file prospectuses and obtain approval | — | — | SEC Thailand |
| Broker-dealer / OTC desk | LicenceDigital Asset Broker/Dealer License[1][2] Required for OTC and brokerage services | — | — | SEC Thailand |
| Stablecoin issuance | Uncertainverify with regulator Specific stablecoin regime not detailed in source docs | — | — | — |
| Crypto payments acceptance | Uncertainverify with regulator Payment acceptance rules not specified in source docs | — | — | — |
| Mining / staking services | Uncertainverify with regulator Mining/staking licensing not specified in source docs | — | — | — |
| Advisory / portfolio management | Uncertainverify with regulator Advisory services licensing not specified in source docs | — | — | — |
New — what changed recently
- 2025-01-01Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses (No. 2) B.E. 2568 — Extends licensing requirements to foreign digital asset operators targeting Thai domestic users.[4]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Determine licensing scopeIdentify if your activities fall under exchange, broker, or custodian categories requiring SEC approval.
- 2File prospectus for offeringsPrepare and submit digital asset offering prospectuses to the SEC for public token sales.
- 3Assess foreign operator statusIf based abroad, determine if you target Thai users and apply for a license under the 2025 decree.
- 4Establish local complianceImplement AML/CFT frameworks and investor protection measures as mandated by the 2018 Emergency Decree.