- Thailand strengthens laws to combat crypto crime and fraud.
- Foreign exchanges banned from targeting Thai crypto users.
Thailand is taking strong steps to fight rising cybercrime related to digital assets. On April 8, 2025, the Thai Cabinet approved key amendments to laws targeting crypto-related fraud. The reforms target digital asset mule accounts along with improper usage of international crypto platforms by criminals who engage in money laundering schemes.
New Thai Laws Target Foreign Exchanges and Cybercriminal Wallets
These updates pertain to both the Digital Asset Business Law (2018) along with the Cybercrime Law (2023). The laws will become active when the Government Gazette publishes their publication. The regulatory changes work to strengthen national defenses against online crime and create better cooperation links between financial authorities and banking institutions and digital platforms.
Thai SEC Secretary-General Pornanong Budsaratragoon revealed that the agency has collaborated with the TDO through the entire previous year. The two entities joined forces to produce cryptocurrency detection standards based on banking standards that protect against mule accounts within the crypto sector.
These recent updates force digital asset businesses to perform in ways equivalent to traditional banking institutions. Digital asset businesses have to exchange crime-related information while freezing accounts associated with cybercriminals. The system will generate a registered database that includes wallet and personal accounts. All operators who do business with wallet or individual accounts on the list are subject to penalties.
Companies that include banks along with telecom networks and social media platforms and crypto exchanges will be expected to share their responsibilities in this process. Failure to comply with regulations during scams will expose these entities to legal responsibility for the losses their negligence causes. Through adopting shared responsibilities, the government plans to achieve better cooperation and enhanced security measures.
Individuals who establish mule accounts or permit their accounts for illegal activities now risk three years of imprisonment and may be fined 300,000 baht or both penalties. Individuals who maintain crypto or bank accounts as a paid service for others will receive identical criminal charges.
Thailand Balances Crypto Growth and Crime Prevention
The update contains a significant section that concentrates on regulations for foreign digital asset exchanges. This platform group, including peer-to-peer (P2P) systems, provides spaces for unwelcome illegal cash transfers. Under this update, foreign digital asset exchanges lose their ability to target Thai investors. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society will have faster power to shut down any websites or apps that promote such services in Thailand.
The SEC implemented definable guidelines about how companies can “solicit” users from Thailand. Moreover, the new rules establish acceptance of Thai Baht payments and utilization of Thai bank accounts alongside website display in the Thai language as solicitation activities. The new details enable simpler enforcement while safeguarding investor protections.
The SEC highlighted that it will collaborate intensely with government departments together with the TDO and private sector stakeholders to uphold these recent regulatory standards. The government aims to minimize public risk while stopping digital assets from serving criminal activities.
The country proceeds with crypto innovation research during this time period. Recently, the country started allowing both payments and trading conducted with USD₮ (Tether). The government introduced plans to establish the crypto sandbox project in Phuket City for deployment. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra described this development as a critical disruption that advanced the digital economy of Thailand.
Ultimately, the legal framework of Thailand demonstrates simultaneous progress toward cryptocurrency protection from online fraud while fostering responsible digital advancement.
