Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission said it is preparing to expand its crypto exchange-traded fund plans beyond Bitcoin, with new products expected to launch early next year.
The rules are being drafted with other government agencies, and the ETFs will be offered by local mutual funds and institutions, according to a Bloomberg report.
More Choices for Investors
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Pornanong explained the regulator’s direction: “Our possibility now is to broaden the criteria for the crypto such as a basket of cryptocurrencies. We want to have a broader supply of those crypto assets in the ETFs.” She noted that the goal is to give investors more choice while supporting demand for digital diversification.
Meanwhile, Thailand has been stepping up its efforts to become a regional hub for digital finance. Policymakers are rolling out measures that make tokenized products part of mainstream investment options.
Officials believe this could bring in more participation from younger investors at a time when the Thai stock market has fallen by 7.6% this year. However, regulators also recognize that new products may carry higher risks, so they are working to improve oversight at the same time.
How Investors Buy Crypto Today
Currently, Thai investors who want exposure to cryptocurrencies can either buy tokens directly or invest in funds managed by licensed asset managers that put money into overseas crypto ETFs. The new framework would mark the first time domestic investors could access a broader range of digital assets through local funds.
“Some investors, especially young people, prefer to have exposure in cryptocurrencies in their portfolios as a way to diversify,” Pornanong said. “One of our main tasks is to facilitate that demand.”
The momentum around digital assets has been rising across Thailand’s financial sector. Binance Holdings Ltd. has been targeting growth in the market, while Kasikornbank Pcl is also building out crypto operations. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, continues to be one of the most vocal supporters of cryptocurrencies in the country.
Alongside product expansion, the SEC is pushing for a bill to expand its enforcement powers. The proposal would allow the regulator to suspend company transactions if irregularities are suspected and investigate cases such as insider trading directly, rather than relying on limited police resources.
Pornanong said the draft has already passed the prime minister’s law-drafting body, and the SEC is in talks with the new government to speed up parliamentary approval. “Speedy enforcement against wrongdoers will definitely revive confidence in our oversight of the capital markets,” she said.
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