- Thailand’s SEC proposes regulations for institutional investment in crypto assets.
- Binance Thailand’s CEO sees the shift as essential for crypto market maturity.
Thailand’s crypto landscape is seeing a significant transformation, moving from a retail-driven market to one focused on institutional investment, according to Binance Thailand CEO Nirun Fuwattananukul. In a recent opinion piece for the Bangkok Post, Fuwattananukul praised the latest regulatory proposal by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a “vital step” toward the nation’s ambitions to become Southeast Asia’s fintech hub.
The proposal aims to legitimize digital assets while fostering a more mature and balanced crypto ecosystem. Fuwattananukul sees the regulatory shift as an opportunity for Thailand’s financial institutions to broaden their portfolios and embrace crypto assets. He explained that the proposal not only supports Bitcoin but also aims to integrate traditional finance and crypto, promoting balanced digital asset growth.
Thailand’s SEC recently announced draft regulations allowing institutional-grade mutual and private funds to invest in crypto products. According to Fuwattananukul, this progressive move aligns with global trends and brings Thailand closer to establishing itself as a regional digital asset hub.
Additionally, the SEC’s proposal currently seeks public feedback on criteria for mutual funds’ investments in crypto assets. Notably, retail access remains restricted, focusing the new regulatory framework on high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors.
What Does the Shift Mean for Thailand’s Crypto Market?
Fuwattananukul sees the regulatory shift as an opportunity for Thailand’s financial institutions to broaden their portfolios and embrace crypto assets. He explained that the proposal not only supports Bitcoin but also aims to integrate traditional finance and crypto, promoting balanced digital asset growth.
Another critical development in Thailand’s crypto space is the growing interest in real-world asset tokenization (RWA). According to Fuwattananukul, Thai banks are already exploring blockchain-based conversions of traditional assets like real estate, bonds, and equities. He cited research from Tren Finance, projecting a 50-fold growth in the RWA market by 2030.
While Thailand’s central bank still prohibits the use of crypto for daily transactions, these regulatory updates signal a strong commitment to fostering a secure and dynamic ecosystem for all market participants. This shift from retail to institutional focus, driven by forward-looking regulations, positions Thailand to lead in the regional digital asset market and strengthens its evolving fintech sector.
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