Thailand SEC Proposes ICO Rule Overhaul: Fewer Tests, Smarter Risk Filters

Mon Jul 21 2025
Thailand’s SEC wants to scrap quarterly knowledge tests for ICO investors and add biennial suitability assessments. Public consultation open till August 1.

*�🇭 Thailand’s SEC Wants to Chill on ICO Rules — But With Smarter Risk Filters

Retail friction down, risk checks up. Thailand’s taking a more grown-up swing at token sales.


*� Key Highlights

  • 🧠 Knowledge test every 3 months? Scrapped.
  • 📋 Suitability test for all investors? Yes — every 2 years.
  • 🛡️ Goal: ease burdens, tighten protection
  • 💼 Institutional investors? Still exempt
  • 🗓️ Public consultation open till August 1, 2025

*� No More Repetitive Quizzes, Please

Thailand’s SEC just proposed a major revamp of its ICO rules. And for once, retail investors might actually exhale.

Gone: the rule that forced you to retake a knowledge test every three months just to ape into a token sale.

Now: If you passed the test once, you’re good. No more pop quizzes every quarter.

But there’s a catch.


*� In Comes the Suitability Test

The SEC isn’t going full degen. A mandatory suitability test will be required for all retail investors, no matter how many NFTs you hold or bull runs you’ve survived.

This isn’t just gatekeeping — it’s a risk filter. The test will match your financial profile to the volatility of the ICO you’re eyeing. And the best part? It’s valid for 2 years.

“This proposal aims to reduce the burden… by eliminating the need for repeated assessments every three months.” — Thailand SEC


*� Smarter Oversight, Not More of It

These changes are designed to:

  • 🧹 Cut red tape for both investors and ICO platforms
  • 🔍 Tighten alignment with global regulatory standards
  • 🛑 Stop newbies from YOLO-ing into obvious rug pulls

*� Industry Backs the Move

Jagdish Pandya, founder of Blockon Ventures and OG of Thai Blockchain Week, says it loud:

“This keeps amateurs from blindly jumping into ICOs and repeating scam-era mistakes.”

He also throws shade at the region:

“Thailand’s regulated ICO platform is ahead of even the UAE and Hong Kong.”


*� Pros Stay Free

If you're an institutional investor or a professional, congrats — you're still exempt from all tests. The SEC isn’t trying to micromanage whales.

Retail, though? You’re getting bumpers on your bowling lane.


*� Wider Policy Pivot in Thailand

This isn’t a one-off tweak. The SEC is on a crypto modernization sprint:

  • ✅ In June: Opened consultation on letting exchanges list their own tokens
  • 🏝️ Running crypto payment pilots in tourist hotspots
  • 💰 Reviewing if spot Bitcoin ETFs should be retail-accessible

Thailand isn’t trying to be trendy. It’s laying infrastructure.


*�️ Got Feedback? SEC Wants It

The ICO proposal is now open for public comment until August 1, 2025. That means investors, devs, and platforms have a shot to shape how Asia’s most ambitious crypto sandbox evolves.


⚡ TL;DR

Thailand’s SEC is proposing major updates to ICO rules: kill the quarterly knowledge test, add a 2-year suitability check, and keep institutions exempt. It’s part of a bigger shift toward smart regulation — and the public has until August 1 to weigh in.

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