Crypto ETFs Crash Into Thailand-Because We Totally Needed That

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Oh joy. Just when you thought Thailand was only known for spicy food and even spicier beaches, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided to spice things up with crypto ETFs. That’s right-soon you’ll be able to gamble on Bitcoin without even touching a crypto wallet. How modern!

Thailand To Regulate Crypto ETFs And Futures This Year

According to the ever-exciting Bangkok Post, Thailand’s SEC is dusting off its rulebook and cramming in some new crypto regulations. Jomkwan Kongsakul, the deputy secretary-general (a title that sounds like a mid-level villain in a spy movie), announced they’re rolling out guidelines for digital asset ETFs-basically, “investing in Bitcoin for people who still think ‘blockchain’ is a fitness trend.”

And because riding the crypto wave isn’t risky enough already, they’re also setting up crypto futures on the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX)-because nothing says “financial stability” like betting on Bitcoin while sipping a Chang beer.

Now, if you’re blissfully uninitiated: ETFs are like crypto… but watered down, corporate-approved, and served with a side of paperwork. They let investors pretend they’re daring and edgy while still staying safely within the traditional financial sandbox. No wallets. No seed phrases. No panic at 3 a.m. trying to recover access to $50,000 in Bitcoin because you lost a six-word passphrase.

In the U.S., spot Bitcoin ETFs were approved in January 2024 (after regulators spent five years pretending they were considering it), followed by Ethereum ETFs in July (because someone finally remembered Ethereum existed). Since then, they’ve attracted hordes of “institutional investors”-fancy people in suits who previously refused to touch crypto unless it came with a government seal and a notary public.

Kongsakul shared this gem:

A key advantage of crypto ETFs is ease of access; they eliminate concerns over hacking and wallet security, which has been a major barrier for many investors.

Translation: “We know you’re scared of adulting in the crypto world, so here’s investing with training wheels.”

Across Asia, Hong Kong beat Thailand to the punch by launching its own spot ETFs in April 2024, because of course it did. And South Korea isn’t far behind-because when one country jumps off the crypto regulatory cliff, everyone else suddenly remembers they have wings. Or crypto lobbyists.

Thailand’s SEC board has already given crypto ETFs a conceptual thumbs-up-meaning the real work (read: bureaucracy, spreadsheets, and at least one awkward press conference) is now underway. No exact date, but “early this year” is the vibe. Which, in government time, could mean any day between January and March… or possibly July. Or next Lunar New Year. Who knows?

Alongside ETFs, they’re also making crypto futures official in the derivatives world-because what Thailand really needed was more ways to lose money on Bitcoin volatility. But hey, at least now traders can hedge their risks. Or double down. Either way, the TFEX wins.

And just to cheer everyone up, here’s a fun fact: U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs-those shiny new symbols of crypto legitimacy-are currently experiencing a massive case of buyer’s remorse.

As the chart shows, U.S. Bitcoin spot ETFs lost $1.19 billion this week. That’s “billion” with a B. Investors are fleeing like it’s the last subway before lockdown. Just last week, these same funds saw $1.42 billion in inflows-proof that the crypto market mood swings faster than a teenager choosing a prom outfit.

But alas, this week’s net outflows suggest the brief love-in with crypto ETFs might be cooling faster than pad thai left on a Bangkok balcony.

BTC Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at approximately $89,100-down 8% in a week. So yes, the “ETFs will save everything” fairy tale didn’t last long. Shocking!

But hey, at least you can now invest in Bitcoin ETFs in Thailand without ever learning what a private key is. Progress!

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2026-01-23 10:12