Thailand Advances Digital Asset Regulation to Integrate Crypto into Financial System
New tax policies, sandbox initiatives and regulatory updates aim to embed digital assets into Thailand’s finance framework
Thailand is actively advancing regulatory frameworks to integrate digital assets into its broader financial system, signalling a strategic shift to embrace blockchain technology, fintech innovation and digital asset trading as pillars of long-term economic growth.
Recent regulatory measures and pilot programmes illustrate the government’s commitment to harmonising digital asset activity with mainstream finance and investment.
A cornerstone of Thailand’s regulatory thrust is a five-year tax exemption on capital gains from the sale or exchange of cryptocurrencies and digital tokens conducted through licensed domestic platforms, effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029. This exemption is designed to stimulate trading activity on regulated exchanges, attract both retail and institutional investment, and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness as a digital asset hub.
Alongside tax incentives, Thai authorities have introduced innovative frameworks to promote digital asset use in everyday transactions.
The Securities and Exchange Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and other agencies, has launched the “TouristDigiPay” pilot programme, which allows foreign visitors to convert specified digital assets into Thai baht and use digital wallets for payments at participating merchants.
The initiative reflects an effort to integrate digital assets with traditional payment systems and support tourism.
Regulatory refinement has also extended to how digital asset businesses operate.
Amendments to existing digital asset business laws now subject offshore digital asset service providers targeting Thai users to local licensing requirements, expanding the reach of domestic oversight and ensuring compliance with national standards.
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission has also been preparing regulatory frameworks for the potential launch of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds and related investment products in 2026, further bridging digital assets with regulated financial markets.
Together with measures to bolster custodial services and clarify anti-money-laundering obligations for digital asset operators, these developments reflect a cohesive regulatory strategy to integrate digital assets into Thailand’s financial architecture, enhance investor confidence and align the country with regional and global trends in financial technology.
Recent regulatory measures and pilot programmes illustrate the government’s commitment to harmonising digital asset activity with mainstream finance and investment.
A cornerstone of Thailand’s regulatory thrust is a five-year tax exemption on capital gains from the sale or exchange of cryptocurrencies and digital tokens conducted through licensed domestic platforms, effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029. This exemption is designed to stimulate trading activity on regulated exchanges, attract both retail and institutional investment, and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness as a digital asset hub.
Alongside tax incentives, Thai authorities have introduced innovative frameworks to promote digital asset use in everyday transactions.
The Securities and Exchange Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and other agencies, has launched the “TouristDigiPay” pilot programme, which allows foreign visitors to convert specified digital assets into Thai baht and use digital wallets for payments at participating merchants.
The initiative reflects an effort to integrate digital assets with traditional payment systems and support tourism.
Regulatory refinement has also extended to how digital asset businesses operate.
Amendments to existing digital asset business laws now subject offshore digital asset service providers targeting Thai users to local licensing requirements, expanding the reach of domestic oversight and ensuring compliance with national standards.
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission has also been preparing regulatory frameworks for the potential launch of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds and related investment products in 2026, further bridging digital assets with regulated financial markets.
Together with measures to bolster custodial services and clarify anti-money-laundering obligations for digital asset operators, these developments reflect a cohesive regulatory strategy to integrate digital assets into Thailand’s financial architecture, enhance investor confidence and align the country with regional and global trends in financial technology.
