Catenaa, Tuesday, January 20, 2026-Thailand has announced stricter regulations on cryptocurrency and gold trading to curb so-called “grey money,” or funds that appear legal but are linked to illicit activity, including tax evasion and organized crime.

The government aims to close loopholes between traditional and digital financial channels and enhance oversight across agencies.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul directed the initiative following a high-level meeting at the Finance Ministry.

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas and other regulators are tasked with linking datasets through an Open API system, allowing authorities to monitor suspicious flows across gold, crypto, e-wallets, foreign exchange, and cash without creating a new agency.

For gold, anti-money laundering authorities will lower the reporting threshold for bar purchases, targeting “smurfing,” where large transactions are split to evade detection.

Online gold trading will face tighter supervision, with proposals including special accounts for providers, enhanced reporting, and a potential business tax for non-physical trades.

Large gold flows, which may affect the baht’s value, are also under review for taxation and trading caps.

In the crypto sector, the Securities and Exchange Commission will strictly enforce the Travel Rule, requiring identification of both senders and recipients in wallet-to-wallet transfers.

Exchanges, brokers, and other service providers will face heightened compliance requirements, including stronger identity verification and more detailed reporting.

The government frames the measures as an integrated approach to modern digital threats and traditional financial crimes, emphasizing protection of public interest and financial system integrity.

Authorities aim to make it harder for illicit funds to move between gold, cash, and crypto without leaving a trace.