COREDO > Cryptocurrency Licence in Thailand

Cryptocurrency Licence in Thailand

Thailand is one of the leading jurisdictions in Southeast Asia for cryptocurrency businesses, offering a well-developed regulatory framework for digital assets. The country provides a transparent licensing system regulated by the SEC Thailand and the Ministry of Finance, ensuring a high level of trust in licensed companies.

Since 2016, COREDO has been assisting clients with obtaining cryptocurrency licences in Thailand, providing full support — from company registration to communication with regulators and licence approval.

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Cost of the service
from 85 000 EUR

Regulatory Framework

The legal foundation for cryptocurrency regulation in Thailand is the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 (2018). This document establishes the requirements for digital asset operators, the licensing process, and penalties for violations. The decree was supplemented by amendments B.E. 2568 (2025), published in the Royal Gazette of Thailand (Volume 142, Part 27 A, dated 12 April 2025).

As the primary supervisory authority, SEC Thailand issues detailed notifications governing capital requirements, corporate governance, cybersecurity, and the protection of client funds. In addition to the SEC, digital asset operators fall under the jurisdiction of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), which oversees compliance with AML/CFT requirements.

In the area of taxation, Thailand introduced a significant benefit: from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2029, capital gains from the sale of digital assets through licensed operators are exempt from personal income tax. Furthermore, VAT exemption applies to cryptocurrency and digital token transactions on authorised exchanges.

Types of Crypto Licences

Decree B.E. 2561 classifies digital asset operators into three main types, each requiring a separate SEC licence.

Digital Asset Exchange

platforms for trading and exchanging digital assets, operating on the basis of order matching or facilitating agreements between parties. This is the most capital-intensive licence type, requiring registered capital of at least 50 million THB and a bank deposit of at least 25 million THB.

Digital Asset Broker

individuals or entities providing intermediary services in digital asset trading for a fee. The required registered capital is at least 25 million THB with a bank deposit of at least 12.5 million THB.

Digital Asset Dealer

entities conducting digital asset transactions on their own account, separately from exchange platforms. The minimum registered capital for a dealer is 5 million THB, with a bank deposit of at least 2.5 million THB.

In addition to the three main types, the legislation also provides for the licensing of Digital Asset Fund Managers, Digital Asset Advisors, and Digital Asset Custodians.

Advantages of the Jurisdiction

Thailand offers a number of significant advantages for companies operating with digital assets. First and foremost, it has one of the most developed and transparent regulatory systems in Southeast Asia. An SEC licence provides a business with a high level of legitimacy and trust from partners and clients.

Five-year capital gains tax exemption

until 2029, transactions conducted through licensed digital asset operators are exempt from capital gains tax and VAT.

SEC Thailand launched the Digital Asset Sandbox

companies can test crypto and RWA projects in a regulated environment under SEC supervision.

Thailand holds a strategic position in Southeast Asia

the country provides access to ASEAN markets and has a high level of digital asset adoption among the population.

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Requirements for Obtaining a Licence

To obtain a cryptocurrency licence in Thailand, a company must meet a number of stringent requirements.

First, the applicant must be a legal entity registered under Thai law — in the form of a Limited Company or a Public Limited Company.

Directors and executive officers of the company must have an impeccable reputation and meet the qualification requirements set by the SEC. Individuals with criminal records, bankruptcies, or disqualifications imposed by the regulator are prohibited.

The company must maintain minimum registered capital and a bank deposit in accordance with the type of licence requested: 50 million THB (deposit of 25 million THB) for an exchange, 25 million THB (deposit of 12.5 million THB) for a broker, and 5 million THB (deposit of 2.5 million THB) for a dealer.

The operator must comply with AML/KYC requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Specifically, it must conduct customer due diligence (CDD), risk assessment, transaction monitoring, and report to AMLO any cash transactions exceeding 2 million THB and property transactions exceeding 5 million THB. All KYC/CDD records must be retained for at least ten years after the termination of business relationships.

The company must ensure adequate cybersecurity measures to protect client data and assets, as well as possess the necessary technical infrastructure for conducting operations.

COREDO Service Costs

The cost of COREDO’s services for obtaining a cryptocurrency licence in Thailand depends on the type of licence requested. Our company provides the full cycle — from registering a Thai company to obtaining the SEC licence.

Digital Asset Dealer licence

from EUR 85,000.

Digital Asset Broker licence

from EUR 110,000.

Digital Asset Exchange licence

from EUR 130,000.

The cost includes: company registration with the Thai Ministry of Commerce, tax registration with the Revenue Department, registration with the Social Security Fund, opening a corporate bank account, preparation of the complete document package for submission to the SEC, support throughout the application review process, and communication with the regulator until the result is obtained.

Government fees are payable separately: application fee — THB 30,000 for each licence type; licence fee (payable upon approval) — THB 2,500,000 for an exchange, THB 1,500,000 for a broker, and THB 1,000,000 for a dealer.

Payment Terms

Payment for COREDO’s services is made in stages tied to key project milestones. The specific payment schedule is agreed upon individually depending on the licence type and scope of work. Typically, an advance payment is made at the document preparation stage, an interim payment before submitting the application to the SEC, and a final payment after receiving approval from the Ministry of Finance. Detailed terms and payment schedules are provided upon request.

Document Checklist

To submit an application for a cryptocurrency licence in Thailand, the following document package must be prepared:

Incorporation documents of the company registered in Thailand (certificate of registration, articles of association, minutes of meetings).

Documents confirming the identity and residential address of all directors and shareholders (passports, identity cards, proof of address).

Criminal record clearance certificates for all directors and key officers.

Audited financial statements prepared in accordance with Thai Financial Reporting Standards (TFRS) by an SEC-approved licensed auditor.

A comprehensive business plan describing the proposed services, target markets, operational model, and development strategy.

Documentation on cybersecurity measures for the protection of client data and assets.

Documents confirming the company’s technical capability to conduct digital asset operations.

Confirmation of payment of the minimum share capital and bank deposit in the amount corresponding to the licence type.

Internal AML/KYC policies and procedures in accordance with AMLO requirements.

Description of the organisational structure, including information on key personnel and their qualifications.

A completed licence application form as prescribed by the SEC.

All documents must be translated into English. COREDO undertakes the preparation and compilation of the complete document package in accordance with SEC Thailand requirements.

Licence Acquisition Procedure

The process of obtaining a cryptocurrency licence in Thailand consists of several sequential stages.

Company registration and preparation.

This stage involves registering a legal entity with the Thai Ministry of Commerce, forming the share capital, opening a bank account, and making the required deposit. Concurrently, preparation of the business plan, technical documentation, and internal AML/KYC policies takes place.

01

Filing the application with the SEC.

Once the complete document package is prepared, the application is submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand. The application fee is THB 30,000 per licence type.

02

SEC review.

The Commission conducts an examination of the documents and issues its recommendation within 90 days of receiving the application. The SEC may request additional documents or clarifications during the review.

03

Approval by the Ministry of Finance.

Following a positive recommendation from the SEC, the application is forwarded to the Ministry of Finance of Thailand, which makes the final decision within 60 days. The total statutory review period is 150 days.

04

Commencement of operations.

Upon receiving approval, the operator must commence business operations within 180 days. At this stage, the licence fee is paid (from THB 1,000,000 to THB 2,500,000 depending on the licence type).

05

Estimated timelines for the entire process including preparation: Digital Asset Exchange — 9 to 12 months; Digital Asset Broker — 7 to 9 months; Digital Asset Dealer — 5 to 7 months. Exact timelines depend on the speed of information exchange and the regulator’s workload.

Our Experts

Projects for obtaining cryptocurrency licences in Thailand are managed by experienced COREDO specialists.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Has been with COREDO since 2017 and has led the legal team since 2020. Possesses extensive experience in licensing and project management in the digital assets sector, corporate law, and international transactions.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. Specialises in legal support of projects in the cryptocurrency and digital assets sector, preparation of legal opinions, and regulatory documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which regulator issues cryptocurrency licences in Thailand?

Licences are issued by the Ministry of Finance of Thailand upon the recommendation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC Thailand). The SEC reviews the application and issues its recommendation, after which the Ministry of Finance makes the final decision.

What is the minimum capital required to obtain a licence?

The minimum registered capital depends on the licence type: 50 million THB for a digital asset exchange, 25 million THB for a broker, and 5 million THB for a dealer. Additionally, a bank deposit equal to 50% of the share capital is required.

How long does it take to obtain a licence?

The statutory application review period is 150 days (90 days SEC + 60 days Ministry of Finance). Including the preparation stage, the total timeline is 5 to 12 months depending on the licence type.

Can a foreign company obtain a licence?

The applicant company must be registered in Thailand. Foreign investors may establish a Thai company subject to restrictions under the Foreign Business Act. COREDO provides assistance with company registration in Thailand.

What AML/KYC requirements apply to licensed operators?

Operators must comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Act under the supervision of AMLO. This includes customer due diligence (CDD), transaction monitoring, reporting of suspicious transactions, and record retention for at least 10 years.

What government fees are charged for obtaining a licence?

The application fee is THB 30,000. The licence fee, payable upon approval: THB 2,500,000 for an exchange, THB 1,500,000 for a broker, and THB 1,000,000 for a dealer.

Are there tax incentives for crypto businesses in Thailand?

From 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2029, capital gains from the sale of digital assets through licensed operators are exempt from personal income tax. VAT exemption also applies to cryptocurrency transactions through authorised exchanges.

Does COREDO provide post-licensing services?

Yes, COREDO supports clients at all stages — from preparation to the commencement of operations. We also provide AML compliance consulting, legal support, and assistance in maintaining the licence.

Get a Consultation

COREDO specialists are ready to provide a detailed consultation on obtaining a cryptocurrency licence in Thailand and develop an individual strategy for your project. Contact us to discuss the details.