Thailand has released a draft amended Electronic Transactions Act (ETA), which aims to overhaul the current version of the law from 2001 to correct its enforcement limitations and update the ETA to be consistent with current electronic transactions practice. The draft ETA is open for public comment until December 20, 2024. The draft ETA introduces a new supervisory scheme that (1) recognizes electronic transactions executed by both current and future technologies without having to enact regulations recognizing the technology, (2) replaces the licensing, registration, and notification scheme for electronic transaction service providers with a trust-mark scheme, and (3) introduces a new mechanism to regulate electronic transaction service providers. The major amendments under the draft ETA address: Relationship with other relevant laws. The draft ETA is designated as the primary law governing electronic transactions, whether between private parties or between private parties and the state. However, if specific laws—including those on electronic administrative procedures—prescribe methods for conducting particular electronic transactions, those laws will prevail. Definitions. The draft ETA revises some existing terms, such as “transaction,” which is now more clearly defined as “any act relating to civil or commercial activities, including administrative procedures, administrative contracts, and any other actions by government agencies or officials.” It also introduces new definitions, such as “biometric data,” “automated system,” and “electronic seal.” Electronic transaction reliability. The draft ETA now clearly provides that electronic transactions executed using a method or an electronic method stipulated by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) as reliable are themselves presumed to be “reliable.” In case of a challenge over the implementation of a certified method or certified service, the challenging party bears the burden of proof and related expenses. Electronic transferable instruments. The draft ETA adopts the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (ETRs) in recognizing ETRs (e.g.,

Following the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reassessing regulations on the investments of mutual funds and private funds (collectively “Funds”). The SEC has launched a public consultation on new draft notifications introducing  the new asset classes that can be held by Funds, and aims to bring these rules into effect on January 1, 2025. The highlights of these changes are set out below. Eligible New Asset Classes The new asset classes that can be held by Funds can be categorized into two types—investment tokens and crypto assets—and the determination will focus on substance over form. Investment tokens: If the substance involves raising funds, regardless of what the assets are called, and they are legally issued and offered or approved by home regulators that are members of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), Funds can invest in these types of assets as transferable securities within the permitted ratio. Crypto assets: The eligible crypto assets which Funds are entitled to hold focus on crypto ETFs or offshore funds investing in crypto assets, and they are subject to investment limits. Funds can hold crypto assets directly, but only temporarily, and only for the purpose of purchasing, selling, or exchanging the crypto assets, not speculative purposes. The notifications state that Funds may hold Bitcoin/Ethereum for no longer than five business days and USDT/USDC for no more than one month. Investment Limits Typically, the rules segregate investment limits into listed and non-listed digital assets, and the limits depend on the sophistication of the investors in the Funds. In general, UI Funds (mutual funds offered to institutional investors or ultra-high net worth investors) can invest in these new asset classes without any limitations, although net exposure to other crypto assets  –  which

On September 12, 2024, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) Notification Re: Virtual Bank Supervision Criteria took effect. According to this notification, virtual banks must adhere to standards for traditional commercial banks, along with additional requirements tailored to address virtual banks’ digital nature and corporate structure. Specific Requirements The concepts of supervision remain unchanged from the consultation paper titled “Criteria for Supervising Virtual Banks”. Some of the key additional provisions and details on supervision criteria relate to the following: Financial business groups: The notification identifies virtual banks as financial businesses, subject to the BOT’s regulations on financial business group supervision. If a virtual bank is a part of another financial institution’s financial business group, the virtual bank must be under a solo consolidated group. After the “initial phase” (see below), other financial institutions and companies within the financial business group are prohibited from extending credit to or engaging in transactions similar to lending activities with the virtual bank. Capital fund requirements: If other financial institutions’ investment in a virtual bank increases the capital fund in the financial system beyond a safe level and this poses a risk to other financial institutions, the BOT may order the relevant financial institution to maintain capital funds as the BOT deems appropriate. Service channels and outsourcing: Virtual banks must provide services solely through digital channels, except when necessary. For example, with the BOT’s approval, a virtual bank may use other commercial bank electronic branches via an ATM pool system, use a banking agent to serve customer needs for cash, or occasionally provide on-site services. Initial Phase The “initial phase” runs from the date that the virtual bank commences its operations until it receives the BOT’s approval to become fully operational. During this period, certain BOT supervisory requirements are relaxed as follows: Governance: Virtual banks in the initial phase may request