The Thailand SEC releases a regulatory proposal allowing digital asset firms to directly apply for derivative brand licenses.

According to an April 23 announcement by the Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the agency has officially proposed amendments to its rules for licensing digital-asset derivative businesses. The proposal would allow firms that already hold digital-asset operating licenses to directly apply for a derivatives business license without needing to establish a separate legal entity. The proposal also introduces requirements for managing conflicts of interest for companies that operate both digital-asset and derivatives businesses, and it calls for financial standards for derivatives exchanges and clearing institutions to align with international benchmarks.

Key Proposed Amendments

According to the April 23 announcement by the Thailand SEC, this rule revision covers three core changes:

Exemption from the requirement to set up a new entity: Current rules require firms to establish a separate legal entity in order to apply for a derivatives brand license. After the proposed revision, licensed digital-asset operators may file applications directly within the existing corporate structure.

Introduction of a conflict-of-interest management mechanism: The proposal requires companies that conduct both digital-asset and derivatives businesses to establish conflict-of-interest prevention and control measures, including internal control requirements when applying for a derivatives brand license through a digital-asset trading center.

Financial standards aligned with international benchmarks: The proposal requires financial standards for derivatives exchanges and clearing institutions to align with international benchmarks.

The Thailand SEC announcement states that this revision is based on earlier rule changes that have already recognized digital assets as eligible underlying assets for futures contracts. Its goal is to expand investors’ access to hedging tools and portfolio management tools.

Latest Developments in the Industry

According to related reports, on Tuesday, April 21, Blockchain.com launched a perpetual futures trading feature within its self-custody wallets. The technology support is provided by Hyperliquid, allowing users to trade with leverage for more than 190 markets using Bitcoin as collateral.

At the beginning of 2026, both Kraken and Coinbase have already launched perpetual futures products linked to stocks for users outside the United States.

In March 2026, Michael Selig, an official at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), said that the CFTC is actively developing a regulatory framework for crypto perpetual futures.

Last week, Kraken’s parent company, Payward, announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire the U.S.-regulated derivatives trading platform Bitnomial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the core provisions of the Thailand SEC’s digital-asset derivatives rules revision?

According to the April 23 announcement by the Thailand SEC, the revision mainly includes: allowing licensed digital-asset operators to apply directly within the existing structure for a derivatives brand license (exempting the requirement to establish a new entity), adding conflict-of-interest management requirements, and requiring financial standards for derivatives exchanges and clearing institutions to align with international benchmarks.

What is the deadline for the Thailand SEC’s solicitation of opinions on the digital-asset derivatives rules proposal?

According to the April 23 announcement by the Thailand SEC, industry and the public may submit comments on the proposal, with a deadline of May 20, 2026.

What is the purpose of Payward reaching an acquisition agreement for Bitnomial?

According to related reports, last week Kraken’s parent company Payward announced the acquisition of the U.S.-regulated derivatives trading platform Bitnomial. The purpose is to prepare for Kraken’s entry into the U.S. derivatives market.