In a surprising turn of events, Thailand’s government has decided to officially include digital assets and carbon credits in its regulated derivatives market.
This means cryptocurrencies and carbon credits can now be used as reference products under the country’s Derivatives Trading Act.
With this decision, Thailand is moving away from treating crypto as just a speculative investment. Digital assets and carbon credits can now be used for futures and options trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange.
This allows large investors and institutions to trade them in a more serious and structured way, similar to gold or oil.
Execs weigh in...
Remarking on the same in the Bangkok Post, Nirun Fuwattananukul, chief executive of Binance TH, said,
“The move marks a watershed moment for the country’s capital markets. It sends a strong signal that Thailand is positioning itself as a forward-looking leader in Southeast Asia’s digital economy.”
By upgrading digital assets and carbon credits to official underlying assets, the government is giving the SEC more power to connect traditional finance with the digital economy.
Until now, most Thai investors could only trade crypto through spot trading, meaning they bought and held assets.
Under the new rules, the Thailand Futures Exchange can now offer products like Bitcoin [BTC] futures and options.
Benefits offered
This gives investors better tools to manage risk and protect themselves from sudden price drops. It also supports market growth, as crypto can now be part of diversified portfolios, with allocations of up to 5%.
At the same time, regulators are introducing strict safety rules. Crypto firms like Binance TH must meet higher licensing standards, and brokers will follow new supervision guidelines to prevent market instability.
According to Fuwattananukul, these changes turn crypto into a regulated asset class and prepare Thailand for future developments, including Bitcoin ETFs by 2026, bringing it closer to global financial hubs like New York and Hong Kong.
Thailand’s crypto journey from 2018 to 2026
Needless to say, Thailand’s current policy shift is the result of years of gradual change in how the country views digital assets. In 2018, the government introduced rules for crypto exchanges, creating the first licensing system.
By 2021, crypto trading had become extremely popular, with some people even using Bitcoin to buy luxury goods. To protect financial stability, the Bank of Thailand banned crypto payments in March 2022.
After this, Thailand adopted a balanced approach. It limited crypto as everyday money but encouraged it as an investment. The government introduced tax benefits, launched a regulatory sandbox in 2024, and allowed banks to enter the sector.
For example, Kasikorn Bank received a crypto custodian license and began offering digital services in 2025. Local projects like KUB, JFIN, and BAND also helped move the market beyond the crackdown period.
This push became a part of a wider plan to compete with global fintech hubs like Dubai and Singapore.
Additionally, a key incentive was also a capital gains tax exemption until 31st December 2029, for trades on approved platforms.
Thus, looking ahead, the launch of Bitcoin ETFs and carbon credit futures by 2026 could further strengthen Thailand’s role in the global digital economy.
Final Thoughts
- Government support signals long-term commitment to digital finance, not short-term experimentation.
- By allowing crypto futures and options, the country is shifting digital assets from speculation to serious, regulated investment tools.
