Thailand recognizes cryptocurrencies under the Derivatives Trading Act

Thailand has officially recognized cryptocurrencies as an underlying asset under the Derivatives Trading Act.

According to a Bangkok Post report, the Thai government approved the Finance Ministry’s proposal to allow cryptocurrencies to be used as the foundation for regulated futures and options contracts within the country’s derivatives on Feb. 10.

Under the new guidelines, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin will be classified as “permissible goods and variables,” according to SEC secretary-general Pornanong Budsaratragoon, whose department put forward the proposal in early 2026.

The SEC will now draft the specific regulatory requirements for market participants, which include amending derivatives business licenses to allow existing digital asset operators to offer these new contracts and establishing strict contract specifications to mitigate the unique volatility risks associated with crypto assets.

Budsaratragoon said the amendments will help promote market inclusiveness and allow investors to diversify their portfolios, while also improving risk management.

Further, the SEC will collaborate with the Thailand Futures Exchange to make way for the launch of its first suite of crypto-linked derivatives, including Bitcoin futures.  It is currently reviewing the existing licensing framework to ensure that broker and clearing houses are aligned to offer these new products, the report said.

As part of the amendment, carbon credits are also being classified as variables instead of goods, which means Thai investors will soon be able to access physically delivered carbon credit futures.

The SEC’s 2026 roadmap also includes plans to roll out crypto exchange-traded funds as it looks to position itself as a regional crypto trading powerhouse.

Last month, the SEC’s deputy secretary-general, Jomkwan Kongsakul, said that the commission plans to launch crypto ETFs in Thailand “early this year.”

Thailand is also eyeing crypto use in the tourism sector. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira introduced the TouristDigiPay initiative last year to bolster the country’s tourism sector by allowing travelers to convert their digital assets into the local fiat currency.