Thailand moves to block Bitget over unlicensed crypto trading
Thailand is tightening enforcement against offshore digital asset platforms as regulators move to curb services offered without local approval. Authorities plan to block access to Bitget from Dec. 5 after alleging the exchange provided crypto trading services to Thai users for several years without a license.
Highlights
- Thailand’s SEC filed a criminal complaint against BG Limited, operator of Bitget, for allegedly providing unlicensed crypto trading services between 2022 and 2025.
- The SEC instructed the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to block access to Bitget’s website, domains, and app from Dec. 5, urging users to act on held assets.
- The crackdown demonstrates increased regulatory pressure on unlicensed crypto operators, with the potential for disrupted access and legal consequences for platforms serving Thai users.
Regulatory action and December access block
As reported by Cointelegraph, citing Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission, the regulator has filed a criminal complaint against BG Limited, the operator of cryptocurrency exchange Bitget, for allegedly operating without a license.The SEC says it has notified the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to block access to Bitget from Dec. 5. The restriction is set to cover the exchange’s website, other associated domains and its mobile app.
The regulator advises users to take action regarding assets held on the platform before the deadline. It says Bitget offered crypto trading services between 2022 and 2025, charged trading fees and promoted its services through Thai-language websites and social media channels, in violation of Thailand’s digital asset business licensing rules.
Legal process and wider market impact
The complaint has been filed with Thailand’s Economic Crime Suppression Division for investigation. Prosecutors will decide whether to bring charges, while the courts will determine any criminal liability.Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has the authority to restrict access to unlicensed crypto trading platforms under a 2025 decree aimed at protecting investors and combating financial crime. The move signals continued pressure on crypto operators serving Thai users without domestic authorization, with potential disruption for customers using offshore platforms.
Bitget did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Our earlier article on the surge in cybersecurity and privacy startup funding highlighted how investors were backing fewer but larger late-stage rounds, with AI- and identity-security firms taking most of the capital. It also noted an uptick in consolidation via major acquisitions, reflecting heightened focus on fraud prevention and security as digital risks grow.