Thailand’s SEC gives Tether and USDC the green light for digital trades

The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the use of the largest two stablecoin assets, Tether (USDT) and Circle’s USD Coin (USDC), in digital asset transactions.

According to a recent statement, this decision allows these stablecoins to serve as base trading pairs on exchanges, support investments in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), and facilitate transactions through ICO portals.

The new rule follows a public hearing in February and will take effect on March 16.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino welcomed the move, emphasizing the company’s commitment to Thailand’s digital economy. He stated that Tether aims to provide a secure and transparent stablecoin experience while supporting the country’s digital asset ecosystem.

Over the years, Thailand has become one of the most crypto-friendly nations, ranking among the top 20 in adoption.

The SEC had previously restricted the list of cryptocurrencies approved for ICO investments and exchange trading pairs. Currently, this includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Stellar (XLM), and select digital assets used in the Bank of Thailand’s Programmable Payment Sandbox.

Stablecoins gain ground

This milestone comes as the stablecoin sector expands, with USDT and USDC dominating nearly 90% of the $227 billion market.

Market analysts expect further growth, particularly as regulatory discussions gain momentum.

In the US, President Donald Trump has set an August timeline for advancing regulatory clarity. This move has prompted traditional financial institutions to explore stablecoin integration.

Several major banking, payments, and fintech players are actively developing stablecoin-related services, signaling broader adoption across global finance.

For instance, Bank of America has expressed interest in launching its stablecoin, which is pending regulatory approval. Standard Chartered is working on a Hong Kong dollar-pegged stablecoin, while PayPal plans to expand its PYUSD offering in 2025.

These developments indicate a growing acceptance of stablecoins across traditional finance, bridging the gap between conventional banking and digital assets.

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