SEC and BOT hold discussions with digital asset business operators to enhance supervision of stablecoin transactions and combat cybercrime

Bangkok, 7 August 2026 - On 7 August 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with the Bank of Thailand (BOT), held a meeting with digital asset business operators to discuss supervisory approaches for stablecoin transactions, with the aim of reducing the risk that such transactions may be used for money laundering, cybercrime, or the circumvention of regulations related to international money transfers. The relevant regulations are expected to be issued within this year.

The SEC recognizes the importance of supporting the development and use of financial innovation while ensuring appropriate risk management for financial, investment, and digital asset transactions. In May 2026, the SEC, the BOT, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) integrated their cooperation through a joint operation to connect financial data and suspicious transactional behavior. This cooperation aims to enhance the monitoring of suspicious financial transactions and combat cybercrime.

The purpose of this meeting was to jointly monitor developments and consider the appropriate additional approaches or measures to prevent stablecoin-related transactions from being used improperly, including for money laundering, cybercrime, or as a channel to circumvent international money transfers. The relevant regulations are expected to be issued by the end of this year. The SEC and the BOT remain committed to continue coordinating efforts to enhance supervision of financial transactions and digital asset transactions, particularly stablecoin-related transactions such as USDT and USDC, with a view to reducing the risk that such transactions may be used for money laundering, cybercrime, or the circumvention of regulations governing international money transfers.

Miss Jomkwan Kongsakul, SEC Deputy Secretary-General, said: "This discussion reflects the close cooperation among the SEC, the BOT, and digital asset business operators in enhancing the supervision of stablecoin-related transactions to prevent their misuse for money laundering, cybercrime, and the circumvention of regulations governing international money transfers. It also supports the development of supervisory approaches that are both effective and consistent with business operations. Relevant regulations are expected to be issued within this year."

Miss Pimpan Charoenkwan, BOT Assistant Governor for Financial Markets Group, said: "The BOT places importance on maintaining the stability and credibility of the financial system and is therefore ready to coordinate with the SEC and relevant sectors to enhance supervision of stablecoin-related transactions, with a focus on developing supervisory measures to reduce the risks of money laundering and the circumvention of regulations governing international money transfers."

Mr. Nirun Fuwattananukul, President of the Thai Digital Asset Operators Trade Association (TDO), said: "TDO is committed to developing Thailand's digital asset industry and supporting its growth on the basis of credibility, transparency, and robust governance. TDO stands ready to cooperate with the SEC and the BOT in preventing money laundering and cybercrime, as well as promoting higher operational standards across the digital asset industry. In particular, TDO supports the development of common industry standards for enhanced due diligence (EDD) for high-risk customers. These efforts will enhance the effectiveness of risk management, strengthen investor confidence, and contribute to the sustainable development of Thailand's digital asset ecosystem."

The SEC has put in place measures to prevent digital assets from being used in suspicious transactions through digital asset business operators. These measures include enhancing customer identification and customer due diligence processes; implementing customer profiling to limit daily digital asset withdrawal amounts; conducting additional customer checks in cases involving high-risk customers; setting standards for preventing cybercrime under the shared responsibility framework; considering and monitoring suspicious transactions to establish guidelines for examining and screening mule accounts, persons, or digital asset wallets with risk exposure, in order to prevent illegal transactions; using tools to trace the movement of digital assets and examine connections with high-risk wallets or wallets on watchlists; developing systems to monitor and analyze stablecoin-related transaction data, such as Smart Detection, to help screen suspicious behavior; and preparing to implement the Travel Rule to enable the appropriate identification and verification of information on persons involved in digital asset transfers. The regulations are expected to be issued by August 2026 and become effective by February 2027.

In this regard, the SEC is expediting proactive measures in prevention, suppression, and strict law enforcement, while continuing to coordinate closely with all relevant sectors to systematically enhance the prevention and deterrence of money laundering in Thailand's capital and digital asset markets.