Thailand Expects Launch of 5 ICOs After Regulation Enforcement

As Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectiv Read this Term Commission (SEC) is set to enforce the newly introduced law of digital asset later this month, five Blockchain Blockchain Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned.) In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tampe Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned.) In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tampe Read this Term-based projects are already expected to initiate fundraising via initial coin offerings (ICO), according to a Bangkok Post report.

Though the agency did not identify the characteristics of the ICOs, Thawatchai Kiatkwankul, SEC’s director of corporate finance in the equity department, said: “Out of 50 ICO projects expecting to raise funds from the Thai capital market, five are ready as initial pilot projects.”

However, according to Kiatkwankul, the agency is also concerned about the risks associated with ICOs and is taking precautions against the potential scams that are aimed to hedge against high investment risk. Moreover, the SEC is also working with ICO portals to bust shady schemes.

"Projects which can be [easily vetted] and have commercial attributes attached to them will be considered for fundraising," Kiatkwankul added.

Regulated sector

Thailand, in recent months, has introduced a piece of legislation to regulate the wild crypto market and controversial ICOs. After a few roadblocks, it finally received a royal decree which cemented its certainty of becoming law.

According to the law, all firms willing to raise funds through an ICO must satisfy a set of criteria drafted by the SEC, which mandates a registered capital of 5 million baht ($156,600).

Moreover, it restricts the retail investors' investment at 300,000 baht ($9,340) per ICO project, or up to 70 percent of the total value of offered tokens, whichever is lower. But there is no restriction for institutional and ultra-high-net-worth investors.

Thailand’s authorities are also optimistic that the introduction of regulatory rules will encourage more blockchain-based projects to seek funding via ICOs as those give them legitimacy.

Considering the potential of ICOs, the SEC is also preparing to expand and combine its unit for registration of the new fundraising instrument.