Thailand Tightens Crypto Oversight with New Travel Rule Regulations
Thailand is strengthening its oversight of cryptocurrency transfers to align with global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards. The country's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued new regulations that require digital asset operators to collect information about parties involved in crypto transactions.
The Travel Rule, which will take effect on February 27, 2027, aims to reduce the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing by increasing transparency in cryptocurrency transfers. To achieve this, Thai digital asset operators must verify the ownership or control of self-hosted wallets when customers send or receive cryptocurrencies from those wallets.
Unlike centralized exchanges (CEXs) or custodians, self-custodial wallets give users direct control over their private keys. Operators must also retain information accompanying every digital asset transaction for at least five years and make the records available for regulatory examination.