CryptoSlate
Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission has set December 5, 2026 as the date Bitget's website and app go dark for users in the country, urging customers to sort out their holdings before the block lands. The move follows a criminal complaint alleging the exchange operated without a license, charging trading fees and targeting Thai users from 2022 to 2025 through a Thai-language website, baht-value displays and local promotions. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has been notified to block bitget.com, other Bitget domains and the exchange's application.
Why it matters
This is a criminal complaint, not a civil warning: the SEC's notice lays out investigation by inquiry officials, prosecution by public prosecutors and adjudication by the courts as the path ahead. The complaint also names Kritsana Kritsananuwat, whom the SEC accuses of promoting the exchange through Facebook and YouTube, a signal that regulators are chasing the local marketing chain, not just the offshore platform. Bitget's own terms, updated November 4, already list Thailand among prohibited countries and classify residents there as restricted persons.
Market impact
The SEC's notice specifies no asset freeze, compulsory sale or separate withdrawal cutoff, but external-wallet withdrawals remain conditional on sufficient available balances, assets being free of holds and applicable requirements, and Bitget can withhold processing where law prevents a withdrawal or suspend withdrawals during platform incidents. A Bitget spokesperson said on November 6 the exchange is reviewing the announcement and evaluating options for engaging with the regulator, while assuring that user assets remain safe. Account-specific withdrawal availability for Thai customers stays unresolved. Bitget's phased restoration of withdrawals, fiat and customer-to-customer services after a September security incident was completed October 2, though that update predates the Thai notice. The SEC is directing investors to its website and the SEC Check First app to verify licensed digital asset operators.
Frequently asked questions
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When will Thailand block access to Bitget?
Thailand's SEC has set December 5, 2026 as the date bitget.com, other Bitget domains and the exchange's app are blocked for users accessing them from Thailand.
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What does Thailand's SEC allege against Bitget?
The SEC filed a criminal complaint alleging unlicensed exchange operations, claiming Bitget's platform provider BG Limited charged trading fees and targeted Thai users from 2022 to 2025 through a Thai-language website, baht-value displays and Thai-language promotions.
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Can Thai users still withdraw assets from Bitget before the block?
The SEC notice specifies no asset freeze, compulsory sale or separate withdrawal cutoff, but withdrawals are conditional on sufficient balances, assets being free of holds and applicable law, and account-specific availability for Thai customers remains unverified.
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How has Bitget responded to the Thai SEC action?
A Bitget spokesperson said on November 6 the exchange was reviewing the SEC announcement, evaluating options for engaging with the regulator, and that user assets remained safe, with guidance on service-access changes to come through official channels.
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Who else was named in Thailand's complaint against Bitget?
The complaint names Kritsana Kritsananuwat, whom the SEC accused of helping promote the exchange through Facebook and YouTube. The allegations remain subject to investigation, prosecution and court adjudication.
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