Thailand’s Bitcoin and Ether ETF Rules Take Effect, Setting Fund Standards

Thailand’s new framework for crypto exchange-traded funds became effective Oct. 16, setting the conditions for Bitcoin and Ether products to trade on the country’s stock exchange.

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) put 11 notifications into force: five from the Capital Market Supervisory Board and six from the SEC. The measures put into effect a framework previously announced for Thailand’s market.

Each fund must passively track one crypto asset and maintain average net exposure of at least 80% of net asset value over an accounting year. Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) are the only eligible assets in the initial phase. A digital asset custodian regulated by the SEC must hold fund assets, and products may trade only on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Investors must receive education about product risks and confirm they understand them before trading. Securities companies cannot provide margin loans for crypto ETF purchases. Thai mutual and private funds may invest in domestic crypto ETFs within existing limits. During the initial phase, securities companies cannot facilitate foreign crypto ETF investments for clients outside the institutional and ultra-high-net-worth categories.