Thailand | South Korea | Vietnam Crypto News Catch Up: Jan. 18 – 24, 2026

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From Thailand to Portugal, from Tether to Ripple, here are the news you may have missed this week:

Thailand set to legalize crypto ETFs and futures trading

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand plans to release guidelines early this year that establish a legal framework for digital asset exchange-traded funds and futures contracts. Authorities seek to channel investment demand into regulated products that reduce the security risks inherent in private wallet management and provide institutional-grade hedging tools.

• SEC officials have approved the ETF structure in principle and are currently finalizing operational requirements for issuers.
• New amendments to the Derivatives Act will classify cryptocurrency as a compliant underlying asset to enable trading on the Thailand Futures Exchange.

CZ advises dozen nations on tokenizing state assets

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao revealed ongoing discussions with approximately 12 governments to issue blockchain-based tokens backed by national resources. The proposal offers nations a method to front-load revenue by selling digital shares of infrastructure, real estate, or commodities directly to the public.

• This model allows states to secure immediate capital for industrial development by liquidating a portion of an asset’s value without losing total control.
• Zhao separately forecasted that future artificial intelligence agents will rely on cryptocurrencies as their native payment rail for automated commerce.

Vietnam begins crypto exchange licensing with $400M barrier

The State Securities Commission initiated the application process for digital asset trading platforms under a rigid pilot framework requiring 10 trillion dong in charter capital. This financial threshold restricts market access primarily to large domestic enterprises and contrasts sharply with the lower entry barriers found in rival financial hubs like Singapore.

• Foreign investors face a 49% ownership cap on licensed exchanges to ensure local control of the infrastructure.
• Major financial institutions, including SSI Securities and VPBank, have established subsidiaries or partnerships in anticipation of the new regime.

Tether partners with Bitqik to launch Laos education drive

The global stablecoin issuer formed a strategic alliance with licensed digital asset exchange Bitqik to improve financial literacy regarding cryptocurrencies within the Southeast Asian nation. Executives aim to familiarize the local population with blockchain technology and United States dollar-pegged assets through a series of instructional programs designed to foster economic inclusion.

• The initiative targets 10,000 individuals through quarterly seminars and roadshows in major cities, including Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
• Bitqik Academy will produce online resources focusing on practical utility and responsible investment strategies for Bitcoin and USDT.

Portugal orders Polymarket to exit over election betting

The Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos issued a mandate requiring the prediction platform to cease operations within 48 hours. Officials took action after the website processed more than €103 million in wagers related to the January 18 presidential election, an activity that violates national gambling laws.

• Domestic regulations explicitly prohibit wagering on political outcomes and restrict legal betting to sports, horse racing, and casino games.
• Regulators may direct internet service providers to block access if the company fails to comply with the directive.

Polymarket currently faces restrictions in over 30 jurisdictions, including recent bans or limitations in France, Ukraine, and Singapore.

South Korea busts $102M crypto laundering ring

The Korea Customs Service referred three Chinese nationals to prosecutors for allegedly orchestrating a cross-border money laundering operation valued at 149 billion won ($102 million). Investigators determined that the suspects utilized a complex network of domestic and international digital asset wallets alongside local bank accounts to transfer illicit funds between September 2021 and June 2025.

• Officials have not yet confirmed if the suspects were arrested or if any specific assets were seized during the preliminary investigation.
• Market analysts note that over 80% of foreign exchange crimes detected in the country over the last five years have involved cryptocurrency transactions.

Internal notes reveal Musk backed $10B OpenAI ICO plan

Call transcripts from a legal discovery process indicate that the Tesla CEO initially agreed to fund the artificial intelligence laboratory through a massive digital token sale in January 2018. The executive team debated this alternative financing model to secure capital for a for-profit subsidiary before the primary benefactor dismissed the approach as unviable.

• Musk concluded the organization would fail to raise the required funds through crypto markets and left to focus on automotive AI projects.
• The failed proposal occurred during the peak of the unregulated initial coin offering bubble just prior to a market correction.

Ripple CEO predicts record crypto highs and Binance US return

Brad Garlinghouse told CNBC at the World Economic Forum that the digital asset market is poised to surpass previous valuation peaks this year, driven by institutional interest that remains undervalued by current trading. The executive emphasized that the recent dismissal of the SEC’s four-year lawsuit against his firm and the implementation of the GENIUS Act have removed critical barriers to entry for major financial players.

• Garlinghouse forecasted that industry giant Binance will likely re-establish operations within the United States market during the current year.
• He noted that the Clarity Act is “as close as we have ever been” to passing, a legislative move expected to further formalize the regulatory landscape.

This article is published on BitPinas: Thailand | South Korea | Vietnam Crypto News Catch Up: Jan. 18 – 24, 2026

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