In a landmark move for Southeast Asian financial markets, the Thai government has officially recognized cryptocurrencies as underlying assets under the Derivatives Trading Act. Following a proposal from the Ministry of Finance approved on February 10, 2026, digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum are now classified as “permissible goods and variables.” This legal reclassification allows for the creation and trading of regulated futures and options contracts, effectively shifting cryptocurrency from a speculative standalone product to a foundational pillar of Thailand’s regulated capital markets.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is now tasked with drafting the specific regulatory requirements to govern this new market segment. SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon noted that the agency will amend existing derivatives business licenses to allow digital asset operators to offer these advanced financial instruments. To safeguard investors against the sector’s inherent volatility, the SEC will establish rigorous contract specifications and review the frameworks for brokers and clearinghouses to ensure they meet institutional-grade standards.
Beyond derivatives, Thailand is aggressively pursuing a broader digital asset roadmap for 2026. The SEC has confirmed plans to launch crypto Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) earlier this year, aiming to provide retail and institutional investors with a regulated vehicle to gain exposure to digital assets without the complexities of wallet management. Under current proposals, investors may be permitted to allocate up to 5% of their diversified portfolios to these digital asset products. Furthermore, the SEC is collaborating with the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) to facilitate the debut of Bitcoin futures, reinforcing the nation’s goal to become a regional “crypto trading powerhouse.”
Innovation is also extending into the real economy through the tourism sector. The “TouristDigiPay” initiative, launched as a regulatory sandbox, now allows travelers to convert their digital assets into Thai Baht for use at local merchants via the country’s national QR payment infrastructure. While direct crypto payments remain restricted, this system ensures that merchants receive local currency while offering travelers a seamless way to utilize their digital wealth. Simultaneously, the government is modernizing environmental finance by reclassifying carbon credits as “goods,” paving the way for physically delivered carbon credit futures as Thailand aligns its financial innovation with global sustainability goals.
