Thailand’s financial sector may soon take a bold leap into the digital asset world, as SCB10X’s new CEO Kaweewut Temphuwapat signals a regulatory push that could allow banks to hold crypto assets on their balance sheets. This development comes amid growing interest in AI, Web3, and institutional crypto investment across Asia.
Thai Banks May Soon Hold Crypto in Regulatory Sandbox
In a recent interview, SCB10X CEO Temphuwapat revealed that Thai banks could soon participate in digital asset custody, starting with small-scale pilots under the country’s regulatory sandbox framework. “The intention is there,” he said. “They allow us to do [it] in a small scale.”
Thailand’s regulators are widely regarded as pro-innovation and crypto-friendly, and the country’s robust digital payments infrastructure has made it fertile ground for fintech experimentation.
SCB10X Eyes Growth in Crypto, AI, and Web3
Temphuwapat, who recently took the helm of SCB10X—the venture capital arm of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB)—emphasized the group’s commitment to hybrid investments in AI and crypto. “We’re definitely going more on AI and also crypto and AI plus crypto,” he said.
He also cited the firm’s early investment in Ripple, noting, “We are an early investor in Ripple of 10 years ago… we’ve used that technology in our SCB App for the last five to six years.”
Temphuwapat expects U.S. regulatory clarity will funnel more capital into Asia’s crypto markets, reinforcing the region as a hub for Web3 innovation.
Uniswap (UNI) Surges 5% Amid Institutional Interest
Meanwhile, Uniswap’s UNI token rose 5% in the past 24 hours to $6.65, defying a broader market dip. The protocol posted its highest monthly trading volume since February, processing over $73 billion in trades this month and generating $380 million in revenue so far this year.
Market analysts attribute this to renewed institutional activity, including a notable whale purchase of nearly $4 million in UNI tokens.
Conclusion
With regulatory sandboxes, AI innovation, and institutional adoption driving growth, Southeast Asia is rapidly positioning itself as a leader in next-gen crypto and fintech development. From Thailand’s progressive policies to Uniswap’s rising traction, the momentum across Asia’s digital asset space is undeniable.