Thailand SEC Turns to Blockchain to Modernize Bond and Token Trading

Thailand’s top financial regulator is jumping into the blockchain game in a big way. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is getting ready to roll out a blockchain-based system to trade bonds and digital tokens, aiming to modernize how the country handles its financial instruments.

Basically, the goal is to make trading easier, faster, and more accessible—not just for big institutions, but for everyday investors too.

Why This Matters

Right now, buying a bond in Thailand isn’t exactly quick. After buying in the primary market, you might have to wait up to two weeks before you can trade it again. There are also hurdles like high costs, paperwork, and limited access for regular investors.

The SEC’s Deputy Secretary-General, Jomkwan Kongsakul, said that a decentralized ledger technology (DLT) system can fix a lot of these pain points. Think fewer delays, lower costs, and real-time transactions. Plus, it opens the door for smaller players and encourages more competition.

How It’s Going to Work

The plan is to go fully digital—from trading and settling to investor registration and even how you get your returns. The new DLT system will allow multiple blockchains to operate, as long as they follow shared standards and can “talk” to each other through a common ledger.

Companies that already have their own blockchain setups can keep them, while others can use the SEC’s public chain, which is designed to be affordable and accessible.

More Access, Less Red Tape

The SEC wants to make it easier for more people to get into the market. By converting existing financial products into digital versions, they can enable fractional ownership (so you don’t need thousands of dollars to buy in), make things more liquid, and cut down the time it takes to complete a trade.

In short, it’s a big push to make Thailand’s financial market more inclusive and efficient.

More Tools for Smarter Investing

To help investors make better decisions, the SEC is also building an Open API data platform. This will offer up-to-date, detailed information on all listed companies—perfect for anyone who wants to dig into the data before making a move.

Crypto Payments Pilot in Phuket

That’s not all. Thailand is also experimenting with crypto payments. A pilot program in the works would allow tourists in Phuket to use crypto for things like buying property or paying for services—with automatic conversion to Thai Baht to stay compliant with local laws.

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira is on board with digital assets, pointing to increasing global demand and the need for Thailand to keep up. However, there are still a few bumps in the road. The Bank of Thailand isn’t a fan of decentralized currencies, and foreign investors still can’t access local exchanges easily. Tax reforms coming up later this year could also throw in a few twists.

The Bottom Line

Thailand’s regulators aren’t just dipping a toe into blockchain—they’re diving in. Between DLT-based bond trading and crypto-friendly pilot programs, the country is clearly betting big on the digital future of finance.