Thai SEC restricts major crypto exchanges over licensing

In order to protect its homeowners and curb money laundering, Thailand has announced restrictions on 5 significant crypto exchanges operating in the nation. CoinEx, HT(dot)Com, 1000X, OKX, and Bybit are the exchanges that faced the commission’s crackdown, restricting their access from May 28, 2025. The move came following the lack of compliance with the Digital Asset Service Act B.E. 2561 (2018).

According to the Thailand SEC, the now-blocked exchanges were providing services to the people in Thailand without adhering to the regulations. Other exchanges operating in Thailand include Bitkub, Binance TH, Orbix, and KuCoin Thailand. In January this year, Thailand introduced a crypto pilot program in Phuket, a popular travel destination, allowing foreign tourists to make purchases using Bitcoin at authorized establishments.

To utilize the services, a tourist must register with a certified crypto exchange in Thailand.

Sam Boolman | Crypto Enthusiast and Writer

Sam Boolman is a contributing writer at ChainIntel.org with a long-standing interest in cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and emerging financial trends. A self-directed trader who actively invests his own capital, Sam follows the markets closely and brings a hands-on perspective to the fast-paced world of crypto journalism. With a background in business and digital media, Sam has written across a variety of sectors including tech, startups, and online finance. His curiosity and enthusiasm for the evolving digital economy fuel his exploration of Web3, decentralised finance, and market developments. Sam is passionate about making complex topics more accessible to everyday readers and continues to expand his knowledge through research, trading experience, and industry engagement.

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