To understand why this is a big deal, it helps to know what a stablecoin is. A stablecoin is a special type of crypto money. Its price does not jump up and down like Bitcoin does. Instead, its value stays perfectly tied to a real-world currency, like the United States dollar. One RLUSD is always supposed to be worth exactly one US dollar. This makes it very useful for people and companies who want to send money quickly without worrying about price crashes.
Standard Chartered is not just any small bank. It is a massive financial company that handles money for very large businesses all over the world. When a big bank like this says it will hold a crypto coin, it sends a strong message. It tells other companies that the coin is safe to use. Standard Chartered will act as a guard for the digital money. They will keep the RLUSD safe from hackers or thieves for their rich clients. This service is called banking custody.
Thailand has made a big move into the world of digital cash. The country has a money watchdog called
the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The SEC has approved new rules for crypto funds.
These funds are known as exchange-traded funds, or ETFs for short. Starting October 16, 2026, these
funds can trade directly on the main stock exchange in Thailand.
This change helps regular people buy digital coins through familiar accounts. In the past, buying Bitcoin
was hard and stressful for beginners. People had to use crypto websites and keep secret computer keys
safe. If they lost those keys, they lost their coins forever. Now, local fund managers can do the hard
technical work. They hold the real coins in safe places, and people can simply buy fund shares like
regular company stocks.
The Thai SEC shared eleven rulebooks on October 8, 2026. These rules set high safety bars for fund firms
across the country. The watchdog talked with banks and tech teams for many months before finishing
the rules. Most people who joined the talks liked the new plan.
The new rules are very clear about what funds can do. In this first phase, funds can only hold two coins.
Those coins are Bitcoin and Ether, which is the coin used on the Ethereum network. The watchdog
picked these two coins because they are the biggest in the market. They have lots of daily trades and
strong computer networks. Other coins may join the list later, but they must pass tough safety tests
first.
Each crypto fund must also be passive. That means the fund boss cannot guess the market or jump in
and out of trades. Instead, the fund must simply match the price of the coin. Also, the fund must keep at
least 80 percent of its cash in that single coin all year long.
Safety is a huge part of the new plan. The SEC says all fund coins must stay with licensed vaults in
Thailand. A vault firm is a special company that guards digital coins from online theft. Thai leaders want
the coins kept inside their own borders so local laws can protect them.
Thailand has made a big move into the world of digital cash. The country has a money watchdog called
the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The SEC has approved new rules for crypto funds.
These funds are known as exchange-traded funds, or ETFs for short. Starting October 16, 2026, these
funds can trade directly on the main stock exchange in Thailand.
This change helps regular people buy digital coins through familiar accounts. In the past, buying Bitcoin
was hard and stressful for beginners. People had to use crypto websites and keep secret computer keys
safe. If they lost those keys, they lost their coins forever. Now, local fund managers can do the hard
technical work. They hold the real coins in safe places, and people can simply buy fund shares like
regular company stocks.
The Thai SEC shared eleven rulebooks on October 8, 2026. These rules set high safety bars for fund firms
across the country. The watchdog talked with banks and tech teams for many months before finishing
the rules. Most people who joined the talks liked the new plan.
The new rules are very clear about what funds can do. In this first phase, funds can only hold two coins.
Those coins are Bitcoin and Ether, which is the coin used on the Ethereum network. The watchdog
picked these two coins because they are the biggest in the market. They have lots of daily trades and
strong computer networks. Other coins may join the list later, but they must pass tough safety tests
first.
Each crypto fund must also be passive. That means the fund boss cannot guess the market or jump in
and out of trades. Instead, the fund must simply match the price of the coin. Also, the fund must keep at
least 80 percent of its cash in that single coin all year long.
Safety is a huge part of the new plan. The SEC says all fund coins must stay with licensed vaults in
Thailand. A vault firm is a special company that guards digital coins from online theft. Thai leaders want
the coins kept inside their own borders so local laws can protect them.
The rules begin on October 16, but trading will not start right away. Fund firms must send in official
forms first. They must show they have skilled teams and safe computer tools. The SEC will check every
firm with care before giving the green light.
Officials also built strong guardrails for small savers. Stock brokers cannot lend money to people to buy
crypto funds. This kind of loan is called a margin loan, and taking loans for crypto is very risky. By
stopping these loans, the rules stop people from getting into bad debt.
Also, brokers must talk with buyers before their first trade. They must explain how the funds work and
make sure buyers know that coin prices can jump up and down fast. Buyers must sign a paper to prove
they understand the risks.
Thailand also blocked everyday access to foreign crypto funds. Regular people cannot buy overseas
crypto funds through local brokers. Only big firms and very wealthy people can do that. The SEC wants
everyday savers to use local funds that follow Thai rules.
Local business leaders were glad to hear the news. Attakrit Chimphlapibul helps lead the Bitkub Group.
He said foreign crypto funds helped many new buyers. He thinks Thailand’s plan gives great chances to
local firms. But he also said success depends on how fast firms get ready and how many buyers want the
funds.
Binance TH by Gulf Binance also cheered the move. Boss Nirun Fuwattananukul said his firm is ready to
help with trading pools and support local fund bosses.
Still, some leaders see road bumps ahead. Nares Laopannarai leads the Thai Digital Asset Association. He
said stock buyers in Thailand have not shown big interest in digital coins in the past. His group plans to
help teach the public about how these funds work.
Thailand is taking a slow and steady path. By opening the stock exchange to Bitcoin and Ether with clear
rules and safe vaults, the country wants to help new ideas while keeping savers safe.