Thailand’s SEC Recognizes USDT as a Regulated Cryptocurrency

3 mins mins

Key Points:
– Thailand’s SEC has officially recognized USDT as a regulated cryptocurrency, allowing its use in payments and trading on exchanges starting March 16, 2025.
– Tether recently appointed a new CFO to address financial audit concerns, following ongoing scrutiny over its financial disclosures.

Thailand's SEC Recognizes USDT as a Regulated Cryptocurrency

Thailand’s SEC has officially approved Tether’s USDT as a regulated cryptocurrency, marking a significant step in the country’s digital asset landscape.

The agency announced that USDT can now be used for payments and traded on regulated exchanges, aligning with Thailand’s evolving stance on cryptocurrency regulation.

Thailand’s SEC Approves USDT as a Regulated Cryptocurrency

The decision, effective March 16, 2025, is part of an effort to enhance flexibility in the digital asset sector and provide more investment options for market participants.

USDT, one of the world’s most widely used stablecoins with a market capitalization of $142 billion, will now be integrated into Thailand’s financial ecosystem. The move allows USDT to serve as a base trading pair on exchanges and facilitates its use in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and related transactions.

Previously, Thailand’s SEC maintained a restricted list of cryptocurrencies permitted for ICO investments and exchange trading pairs.

The list included Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Stellar (XLM), and digital assets involved in the Bank of Thailand’s Programmable Payment Sandbox. However, following a public hearing in February 2025, where the majority of respondents supported expanding the list, Thailand’s SEC approved the addition of USDT and USDC.

The timing of the approval coincides with Tether’s recent efforts to address transparency concerns. Just a week prior, the company appointed Simon McWilliams as chief financial officer, aiming to improve financial disclosures and respond to calls for a full audit. Tether has been providing quarterly attestations verified by BDO Italy, some critics continue to push for comprehensive audits to ensure financial stability.

Bitcoin Adoption Grows in Thailand’s ‘Bitcoin Town’

Meanwhile, Thailand‘s crypto adoption is growing beyond regulatory frameworks. In Kalasin’s Huay Phueng district, a small but active community has embraced Bitcoin for daily transactions.

Dubbed “Bitcoin Town,” the village has integrated Bitcoin’s smallest unit, Satoshi, into local businesses. More than 80 residents use a Bitcoin Lightning app for cashless transactions, with vendors such as street food stalls and tuk-tuk drivers accepting digital payments.

In addition, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has announced that Thailand will permit payment products and services using digital assets in designated storage areas in Phuket, a popular tourist destination. The initiative is aimed at attracting foreign visitors, with the government believing that the use of digital assets will help them integrate more seamlessly into their lifestyles.

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