Binance Thailand launches exchange services to the public
Binance, in collaboration with Gulf Innova, a subsidiary of Gulf Energy Development, has officially opened its joint venture crypto exchange, Binance Thailand, for public trading.
Challenging the market incumbent
This move had been eight months in the making, signaling Binance's entry into the Thai crypto exchange market, following an announcement in 2023 that it intended to extend its offering to Thailand.
While Binance is the largest global crypto exchange platform, in Thailand it will be challenging the dominance of an incumbent exchange. Bitkub is based in Bangkok, currently holding around 77% of the market share, with a daily volume of approximately $30 million, primarily trading the Thai baht and Tether USDT pair.
Regulatory approval
The launch comes after Binance received regulatory approval from the local Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2023. Initially introduced on an "invitation-only" basis, the exchange is now accessible to all eligible users, with Binance having followed through on its plans to expand its presence in the region.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Binance TH announced the implementation of a dedicated order book tailored for Thai baht trading pairs. Users can seamlessly deposit and withdraw local currency through integration with domestic banking systems.
Binance has managed to push its service offering forward in Thailand despite regulatory concerns. In the aftermath of the company’s $4.3 billion settlement in relation to securities law violations with the authorities in the United States in November, concerns had been expressed that the charges brought against the firm in the U.S. would challenge the feasibility of the Binance TH venture.
At present, the platform focuses solely on spot trading, with a Binance spokesperson revealing ambitious long-term plans for additional services pending regulatory approvals.
Nirun Fuwattananukul, CEO of Gulf Binance, expressed gratitude, stating:
"We are deeply humbled to finally announce the launch of our local platform to the general public in Thailand. Over the past year, we have been working closely with Thai regulators, putting substantial effort into detailed planning."
Binance TH facilitates digital asset exchange services, collaborating with local banks in Thailand in enabling its service offering. The exchange has also partnered with Binance Kazakhstan for brokerage services, operating under the supervision of Thailand’s SEC.
Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, emphasized the strategic significance of the venture, stating:
“This is a strategic step forward, setting the stage for Thailand’s impending role as a key player in the global digital finance landscape.”
No access for foreigners
One limitation of the service pertains to foreign nationals. There is a restriction on access for foreigners residing in Thailand, as Binance TH requires a Thai National Digital ID to complete Know Your Customer procedures.
Despite regulatory challenges and tax implications on overseas income from stock and crypto traders announced by the government in September 2023, Binance remains optimistic about the future of crypto trading in Thailand.
The exchange released its themes for 2024 report on Jan. 15, outlining key growth areas such as the Bitcoin ecosystem, ownership economy applications, artificial intelligence, real-world assets, on-chain liquidity and institutional adoption.
