Bangkok: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) insists it is doing everything possible to prevent capital markets and digital assets from being used as a means of money laundering.
According to Thai News Agency, the SEC has confirmed that it will not allow the capital market and digital assets to be used as a channel for money laundering and support for technology crimes. It is committed to implementing all measures, including strict law enforcement. The SEC revealed that in the first 10 months of 2025, 3,134 fraudulent investment accounts were blocked and 44,382 mule accounts were intercepted, with a total value of over 200 million baht.
The SEC prioritizes law enforcement and measures to prevent and deter the use of the capital market and digital assets as a channel for money laundering and related technology crimes. In the current context, where the suppression of technology-related crimes has become increasingly important and a "national agenda" under the government's urgent policy, the SEC has taken intensive action, coordinating with relevant agencies both domestically and internationally, including investigating suspected offenses related to securities laws and digital asset laws. Furthermore, the SEC has enhanced measures and integrated measures to connect the dots for the benefit of relevant government agencies, closing loopholes, and providing a holistic view for the prevention and suppression of crimes.
The SEC continues to focus on supervising businesses under its supervision to ensure they comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO)'s Anti-Money Laundering Act. Furthermore, the SEC is proactive in preventing, deterring, and blocking fraud, and has tools to assist and alert investors, in an integrated manner with the public and private sectors.
In this regard, the SEC focuses on three areas: strict law enforcement, proactive prevention, and integrated cooperation between agencies. Strict law enforcement includes overseeing SEC-regulated businesses to ensure they know their customers (KYC), conduct customer due diligence (CDD), and monitor and report suspicious transactions in accordance with anti-money laundering laws. If inconsistencies between a customer's investment and financial status are found, or if ordered by the AMLO or SEC, businesses are required to conduct in-depth due diligence and report the information to the relevant agencies. The SEC can coordinate with other agencies, such as the AMLO and investigators, to forward the information they find directly to these agencies. Furthermore, if a violation of the law is found, including non-compliance with disclosure regulations, such as reports on the acquisition or sale of securities, failure to make tender offers, or disclosure of listed company shareholder information, the SEC will take le gal action.
Digital asset businesses under the SEC's supervision are also required to implement standardized KYC and CDD measures. Under the current technology crime prevention and suppression law, digital asset businesses are required to implement mechanisms for deterrence and reporting data in accordance with commercial banks. These include prohibiting the opening of digital asset accounts for those listed as blacklisted and graylisted, strengthening enhanced customer due diligence on suspicious customers, and categorizing customers by risk to enhance the effectiveness of preventing and deterring suspicious money laundering or illegal transactions. Furthermore, the SEC is coordinating with the AMLO to implement the Travel Rule criteria for digital asset businesses. Under this initiative, 44,382 blacklisted accounts, valued at over 200 million baht, have been deterred.
Proactive prevention aims to reduce public losses from investment fraud. This aims to build public immunity and awareness, including blocking investment fraud channels and enhancing measures to block mule accounts. The SEC has coordinated with platform providers to block 100% of investment scams within 7 minutes to 48 hours. In October, the number of consultation requests and tip-offs increased by 100% compared to August, reflecting the public's desire to seek advice on identifying scammers before making investment decisions. The SEC blocked 3,134 investment fraud accounts between January 1 and October 31, 2025.
The SEC has collaborated with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MOE) to block websites and foreign digital asset applications that are considered to be operating unauthorized businesses to prevent the use of foreign platforms as a means of money laundering. The SEC has also elevated its operations to a proactive approach, "Preventive Anti-Scam for All," using the 3Cs mechanism to reduce losses, increase awareness, and build public confidence. These include: Consultation, Communication, and Collaboration.
The SEC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in preventing and suppressing technology-related crimes between 15 government and private sector agencies. As a member of the Connecting the Dots Subcommittee, appointed by the Minister of Finance, to enhance the efficiency of monitoring and resolving problems in preventing and suppressing technology-related crimes, the SEC stands ready to strictly enforce the law and integrate with other agencies, including coordinating cooperation under agreements with foreign capital market regulators.
The SEC therefore requests all parties to be assured that the SEC is taking all necessary measures to prevent and deter money laundering in both the capital and digital asset markets, in an intensive manner, to foster transparency and confidence in the capital and digital asset markets.