In a strategic move to establish itself as a leading global hub for digital assets, Thailand has announced a five-year exemption on capital gains tax for cryptocurrency transactions. The initiative, approved by the Ministry of Finance, is designed to stimulate the domestic digital asset ecosystem, encourage regulated crypto trading, and attract international investment.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed the measure, stating that from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029, individual investors will be exempt from personal income tax on capital gains derived from the sale of digital assets. This exemption applies strictly to transactions conducted via licensed digital asset operators such as exchanges, brokers, and dealers—under the 2018 Royal Decree on Digital Asset Businesses.
Licensed transactions to benefit from tax break
Julapun emphasized that the tax reform will promote legitimate and transparent trading within platforms monitored by Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office, aligned with global standards established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The government expects the reform to generate at least 1 billion baht in tax revenue in the medium term while supporting broader economic growth.
To further enhance transparency and compliance, Thailand’s Revenue Department is adopting the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard for digital asset information exchange, enabling automatic sharing of crypto transaction data across borders.
Thailand aligns with global crypto-friendly jurisdictions
Thailand continues to be one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic crypto markets, bolstered by progressive regulation, strong adoption rates, and innovative initiatives—including a pilot program allowing tourists to make crypto payments.
With this new tax exemption, Thailand joins the ranks of several crypto-friendly jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, and the Bahamas, all of which offer capital gains tax relief. Similarly, countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and the UAE exempt individual crypto investors from such taxes. In Europe, Germany and Portugal also allow tax-free crypto gains for long-term holders.
