Thailand will allow domestic asset managers to introduce Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under new cryptocurrency regulations scheduled to take effect on October 16.
The country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the rules on Thursday, creating a regulated pathway for investors to access digital assets through products listed on the local stock market.
According to the framework, cryptocurrency ETFs must trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and follow the performance of a single digital asset. At least 80% of each fund’s net asset value must be allocated to exposure to its underlying cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and Ether will be the only eligible assets during the initial rollout.
Investors must acknowledge the risks associated with these products before making purchases. Brokers cannot provide loans to clients for cryptocurrency investments, and the funds’ digital assets must be held by custodians regulated by Thailand’s SEC.
The changes introduce a locally listed alternative for Thai investors who previously faced restrictions on accessing crypto ETFs. Under the earlier framework, foreign cryptocurrency ETFs were available only to institutional and wealthy investors. The regulator had signaled in 2025 that it intended to widen access to crypto investment products beyond Bitcoin.
The updated rules also permit Thai asset managers to outsource cryptocurrency investment decisions to licensed digital-asset fund managers. Eligible custodians and other qualified companies will be able to register as supervisors responsible for overseeing crypto ETF funds.
The SEC has also revised regulations to let mutual funds and private funds invest in Thai-listed cryptocurrency ETFs, provided they comply with existing investment limits. However, retail investors will not initially be able to gain indirect exposure to foreign crypto ETFs through products such as depositary receipts.
Thailand’s approach integrates Bitcoin and Ether into its established investment market while retaining safeguards for asset custody, risk disclosure and investor suitability. The move represents another step toward expanding the country’s regulated cryptocurrency investment options.
The country also has a sizable crypto-owning population. Data attributed to World suggests that approximately 20% of Thailand’s population holds cryptocurrency, compared with 13% in the United States. Nigeria, the Philippines and South Africa each reportedly have crypto ownership rates of around 19.4%.
