Thailand regulator mulls crypto futures expansion in licensing overhaul

Thailand’s SEC is seeking feedback on rule changes that would let digital asset firms offer derivatives within existing entities, lowering barriers to market entry.

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public comment on proposed rule changes that would allow licensed digital asset businesses to apply directly for derivatives licenses, removing the requirement to establish separate entities.

The proposed revisions would build on earlier changes recognizing digital assets as eligible underlying assets for futures contracts, expanding the scope of Thailand’s derivatives market while introducing additional requirements to manage conflicts of interest and strengthen oversight.

The proposal could lower barriers for crypto companies to enter the derivatives market by allowing them to apply for licenses within existing entities, rather than establishing separate companies, while bringing those activities under tighter regulatory oversight.

The regulator said the changes are intended to provide investors with additional tools for hedging and portfolio management, as well as bringing standards for derivatives exchanges and clearing houses in line with international practices.

The proposed changes are open for public consultation until May 20, with feedback from industry participants expected to inform the final framework.

Related: Thailand proposes tighter scrutiny of funders behind crypto firms

Thailand’s proposal comes as crypto derivatives expand globally and momentum builds toward regulatory approval in the United States.

On Tuesday, Blockchain.com introduced perpetual futures trading in its self-custody wallet, allowing users to open leveraged positions using Bitcoin (BTC) as collateral without transferring funds to an exchange. Underpinned by Hyperliquid, the feature offers access to more than 190 markets with as much as 40x leverage.

Other exchanges have taken a similar approach. Earlier this year, both Kraken and Coinbase launched perpetual futures tied to equities for non-US users as part of a broader push toward 24/7, multi-asset trading.

While most of these products remain largely unavailable in the United States, that could change soon. In March, Michael Selig said the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is working to enable crypto perpetual futures, adding the agency could move on the products “within the next month or so.”

In the meantime, exchanges appear to be positioning for potential approval. Last week, Kraken parent Payward agreed to acquire Bitnomial, a US-regulated derivatives venue, in a move aimed at expanding access to products including perpetual futures for US clients.

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Source: CoinTelegraph