Thailand plans to allow listing of first Bitcoin ETF to boost digital asset industry

PANews reported on January 15 that according to Bloomberg, Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering allowing Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to be listed on local exchanges for the first time, targeting individual and institutional investors. Currently, there are funds in Thailand that provide indirect Bitcoin exposure by investing in overseas Bitcoin ETFs, but ETFs that directly invest in Bitcoin have not yet been approved. Thailand currently has about 270,000 active crypto trading accounts, and although it is lower than the peak during the epidemic, market activity is gradually recovering.

SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon said that the move aims to provide investors with more options for crypto assets while ensuring appropriate protection measures. She also revealed that Thailand is exploring a pilot sandbox project to use Bitcoin transactions in tourism services in Phuket.