Catenaa, Wednesday, February 18, 2026- Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission is expanding the country’s regulated derivatives framework to include digital assets and carbon credits as eligible underlying instruments.
The move formally recognizes cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, as investment assets for futures, options, and other derivatives on exchanges such as the Thailand Futures Exchange.
The change follows Cabinet approval to align the derivatives market with international standards while ensuring supervision, risk mitigation, and investor protection.
SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon said the expansion will promote market growth, diversify products, and improve risk management while broadening investment opportunities.
The SEC plans to draft supporting regulations, including updates to derivatives business licenses to permit licensed digital asset operators to offer contracts referencing cryptocurrencies.
Exchange and clearinghouse frameworks will also be reviewed to accommodate crypto-based products, while TFEX will finalize contract specifications to ensure practical usage and effective risk oversight.
Thailand has positioned this development as part of a broader effort to establish the country as a regional hub for digital finance.
The SEC previously announced plans to introduce comprehensive rules covering digital asset products, including crypto ETFs, signaling a growing openness to integrating traditional finance and blockchain-based assets.
Market participants said the move could attract more international traders and institutional investors seeking regulated crypto derivatives, creating a bridge between local markets and global digital asset liquidity.
