Thailand’s securities regulator is drafting rules to expand crypto exchange-traded funds beyond Bitcoin, opening the door to multi-asset products that could include altcoins like Solana and XRP.
The Securities and Exchange Commission plans to introduce a framework allowing broader digital asset exposure, according to Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon in comments reported by Bloomberg.
The Thailand crypto ETF initiative reflects the country’s ambition to position itself as a leading crypto hub in Southeast Asia.
“Our possibility now is to broaden the criteria for crypto such as a basket of cryptocurrencies. We want to have broader supply of those crypto assets in the ETFs,” said Pornanong Budsaratragoon, secretary-general of Thailand’s SEC, in comments reported by Bloomberg.
From Bitcoin ETFs to diversified products
Currently, Thai investors can only gain exposure to cryptocurrencies by purchasing tokens directly on exchanges or by investing indirectly through foreign funds managed overseas. A Thailand crypto ETF would open up a regulated, accessible, and transparent pathway for retail and institutional investors to diversify portfolios.
The SEC’s plan echoes global trends. In the United States, October has been dubbed “ETF Month” as regulators are reviewing at least 16 applications, including funds tied to Solana, XRP, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. Against this backdrop, the Thailand crypto ETF expansion could increase competition for capital inflows in Asian markets.
By broadening its offering, Thailand could provide investors with new vehicles to gain diversified exposure across multiple digital assets — a model that may reduce risks associated with single-asset ETFs.
Thailand’s push to attract young investors
The Thailand crypto ETF strategy also reflects demographic shifts in investor preferences. The SEC is explicitly targeting younger market participants who increasingly see cryptocurrencies as part of a balanced investment portfolio.
“Some investors, especially young people, prefer to have exposure in cryptocurrencies in their portfolios as a way to diversify,” — Pornanong Budsaratragoon, Secretary-General, Thai SEC.
The regulator has made clear that accommodating this demand is essential to its broader mission. By authorizing Thailand crypto ETF products, the SEC hopes to capture the interest of a generation that already engages heavily in digital finance.
Building a regional crypto hub
The Thailand crypto ETF plan is not an isolated development. The country has recently advanced other measures aimed at integrating digital assets into mainstream finance. These include efforts to create a regulatory sandbox for tokenized investment products and policies designed to accommodate foreign participants.
In July 2025, Thailand’s government advanced a cryptocurrency sandbox program for foreign tourists into the public hearing stage. The initiative, jointly managed by the SEC and the central bank with support from Gulf Binance, signals a broader state-level commitment to blockchain adoption.
If successfully implemented, the Thailand crypto ETF expansion could boost liquidity for altcoins, improve investor access, and enhance market transparency. More importantly, it would position Thailand as a forward-looking jurisdiction in Asia’s rapidly evolving crypto landscape.
Investor outlook
For crypto investors, the Thailand crypto ETF development represents a potential turning point in the country’s regulatory environment. By creating pathways for regulated exposure beyond Bitcoin, Thai authorities are signaling recognition of the growing demand for diversified digital asset investments.
If global momentum continues, and Thailand finalizes its rules, a Thailand crypto ETF could serve as a catalyst for increased adoption, market maturity, and foreign capital inflows — key components for transforming Thailand into a true regional crypto hub.