Thailand Implements Crypto Travel Rule for Self-Custody Wallet Verification

Huoxing Finance reports that Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially adopted the Crypto Asset Travel Rule, requiring digital asset operators to verify ownership or control of self-custody wallets when customers send or receive crypto assets, and to retain relevant transaction information for at least five years for regulatory review. Pornanong Budsaratragoon, Secretary-General of the Thai SEC, stated that the rule aims to reduce the risk of digital asset operators being used for money laundering and terrorist financing. The final rule was established after two rounds of public consultation—the first in March, which introduced a draft framework, and the second in June, which released a draft notice—during which the Thai SEC noted that most stakeholders expressed support. As the Travel Rule takes effect, Thailand is also considering expanding access to regulated crypto products. On Monday, the Thai SEC proposed allowing intermediaries to offer specific crypto derivatives traded on regulated overseas exchanges to retail investors. In the days prior, regulators also advanced draft rules for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs), while simultaneously seeking public comments on requirements for foreign digital asset custodians used by funds investing in crypto assets. Thailand’s move aligns with global regulatory trends; according to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), as of 2026, 83% of surveyed jurisdictions have enacted legislation implementing the Travel Rule.