Thailand's SEC Finalizes Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF Rules Effective October 16, 2026
On October 8, 2026, Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission unveiled 11 notifications to create a regulatory structure for Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, set to take effect on October 16, 2026. Asset managers are required to secure product approval prior to trading. Initially, only Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) qualify, with ETFs mandated to track a single asset and maintain 80% net exposure. Licensed custodians must hold digital assets, and investment management can solely be delegated to licensed managers. Brokers are obligated to clarify ETF risks, and margin loans for crypto ETF acquisitions are banned. Mutual and private funds are permitted to invest in local crypto ETFs. This framework follows SEC consultations conducted from April to September 2026. Active accounts dropped to 121,000 in July 2026 from 265,000 in 2024, with daily trading volume decreasing by 27.13% to 1.378 billion baht. No issuer or trading date has been confirmed yet.
Key facts
- Thailand's SEC issued 11 notifications on October 8, 2026, with rules effective October 16, 2026
- Only Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) qualify for crypto ETF investment at launch
- Each ETF must maintain average net exposure of at least 80% of net asset value to its underlying asset per accounting year
- Digital assets must be held with custodians licensed and supervised by the Thai regulator
- Margin loans for crypto ETF purchases are prohibited
- Foreign crypto ETFs remain off-limits to retail and non-ultra-high-net-worth investors
- Active Thai exchange accounts fell to approximately 121,000 in July 2026 from roughly 265,000 in 2024
- Daily trading value declined 27.13% month over month to 1.378 billion baht
Entities
Institutions
- Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission
- Stock Exchange of Thailand
- NFT Plazas
- MGR Online
Locations
- Thailand
- Bangkok