Thailand SEC Proposes Streamlined ICO Regulations to Balance Investor Access and Protection

Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission is reevaluating its approach to digital asset oversight. Public hearings began last Friday on proposed reforms to initial coin offering regulations, aiming to reduce bureaucratic hurdles while maintaining investor safeguards.

The current framework requires quarterly knowledge testing for ICO investors—a redundancy the SEC now seeks to eliminate. Under the new proposal, passing the assessment once WOULD grant continuous access, mirroring exemptions already enjoyed by institutional and high-net-worth investors.

Regulators are walking a tightrope between accessibility and protection. The revised rules would mandate suitability assessments conducted by ICO portals themselves, with biennial reviews required. This shift acknowledges market maturity while addressing risks for retail participants.