Thailand is set to introduce exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for bitcoin and ether, allowing local asset managers to launch these funds on the Stock Exchange of Thailand starting October 16.
New Regulations for Crypto ETFs to Begin on October 16
By Olivier Acuna|Edited by Jamie CrawleyOct 9, 2026, 6:16 a.m. EDT
- The new regulations from Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will permit local asset managers to offer bitcoin and ether ETFs.
- These funds are required to trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, with at least 80% of their net assets invested in a single cryptocurrency.
- Investors must acknowledge associated risks, brokers cannot provide loans for crypto purchases, and retail investors will initially be restricted from products that offer indirect access to foreign crypto ETFs.
The SEC of Thailand has announced new rules that will take effect on October 16, allowing for the creation of bitcoin and ether ETFs. This move provides a regulated option for investors to gain crypto exposure through the local stock exchange.
Under the new guidelines, these ETFs must be listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and are required to focus on a single cryptocurrency, with a minimum of 80% of the fund's net asset value dedicated to that currency. Initially, only bitcoin and ether will qualify.
Before purchasing these ETFs, investors will need to confirm their understanding of the risks involved. Additionally, brokers are prohibited from lending money for crypto investments, and the cryptocurrencies must be stored with custodians that are regulated by the SEC.
This change offers Thai investors a domestic ETF option, reducing their reliance on foreign products or direct cryptocurrency trading. Previously, only institutional and wealthy investors were permitted to invest in foreign crypto ETFs, while the SEC had indicated a desire to expand the market beyond just bitcoin.
Thai asset managers also have the option to delegate the management of crypto investments to licensed digital-asset fund managers. Regulated digital-asset custodians and other qualified entities can register as supervisors for these crypto ETFs.
Moreover, the SEC has revised its regulations to allow mutual funds and private funds to invest in Thai crypto ETFs, adhering to existing investment limits. However, in the initial phase, products that provide non-institutional clients with indirect access to foreign crypto ETFs, such as depositary receipts, will not be permitted.
This strategy integrates bitcoin and ether into Thailand's conventional fund and exchange structures, incorporating additional safeguards for custody, disclosure, and suitability. This development aligns with the SEC's broader goal to diversify its ETF offerings beyond bitcoin, as outlined in their 2025 plan.
Thailand reportedly has the highest per capita rate of cryptocurrency users, with 20%, surpassing the United States' 13% and also outpacing countries like Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Africa, which each have approximately 19.4% of their populations owning crypto, according to World.