Brunei vs Thailand
Crypto regulation comparison
Brunei
Thailand
Brunei has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The BDCB (formerly AMBD) stated in 2017 that crypto is not legal tender and not regulated, warning the public about risks. Crypto is not banned but has no legal protection. No tax guidelines address crypto specifically.
Thailand has a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework under the Digital Asset Business Emergency Decree (2018). The SEC Thailand licenses digital asset exchanges, brokers, and dealers. Crypto gains are taxed at 15% withholding tax, though the government exempted VAT on crypto trading on authorized exchanges from 2022. Thailand has a well-developed exchange ecosystem with Bitkub as the dominant platform.
Key Points
- BDCB stated in 2017 that crypto is not legal tender and not regulated
- Crypto not recognized as legal tender
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation
- Financial institutions discouraged from dealing in crypto
- No tax guidelines specifically address cryptocurrency
Key Points
- Digital Asset Business Emergency Decree B.E. 2561 (2018) provides comprehensive regulation
- SEC Thailand licenses exchanges, brokers, dealers, and fund managers for digital assets
- 15% withholding tax on crypto gains; VAT exempted on authorized exchange trades since 2022
- BOT restricts crypto for payments but allows it as an investment asset
- Bitkub is the dominant exchange (~90% market share domestically)