Thailand adapts to the evolving landscape of digital assets, and additional reports

For PropertyGuru’s real estate news roundup, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand has proposed new regulations aimed at expanding the scope for mutual and private funds to invest in digital assets. In other updates, investors are focusing on Australian shopping centres. Lastly, investors continue to support the Asia Pacific ‘living sectors’, such as multifamily residential, student housing and senior living, despite a cautious overall investment market.

The next phase of digital asset growth in Thailand

In a progressive move to adapt to the evolving landscape of digital assets, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand has proposed new regulations aimed at expanding the scope for mutual and private funds to invest in digital assets.

This strategic step reflects global trends and brings an opportunity for broader acceptance and maturity in Thailand’s cryptocurrency market. The proposed regulations are open for public consultation and have the potential to usher in a new era of adoption and legitimacy for digital assets, including Bitcoin and other digital assets.

According to Bangkok Post, this regulatory move is a vital step in the maturation of Thailand’s cryptocurrency landscape. By allowing more institutional funds to participate, the SEC is enabling a diverse range of investment strategies and helping digital assets gain broader acceptance in the mainstream.

Australian shopping centres back in the spotlight for investors

Data from MSCI Real Capital Analytics showed that more than AUD6 billion worth of shopping centres transacted between January and September this year, with a further AUD1.25 billion in sales currently pending.

This jump in centre sales is in stark contrast to other retail assets, such as shops, which have continued to see transaction volumes slide in 2024.

Just AUD2.9 billion worth of shops has sold over the first three quarters, a 20 percent drop from the same time last year. In fact, this year is on track to see the second-lowest volume of shop sales this decade – behind only 2020. This divergence between the demand for centres versus shops highlights where investors are currently seeing the risks and opportunities across the retail sector.

realcommercial.com.au reports that Australian shopping centres saw rents and values recalibrate down over 2020 to 2023, in line with rising vacancies. Now, the sector looks poised for growth, with vacancies falling and rents growing again.

Capital homes in on Asia Pacific living sectors

Investors continue to support the Asia Pacific ‘living sectors’, such as multifamily residential, student housing, and senior living, despite a cautious overall investment market.

Data from MSCI show investment in Asia Pacific living sectors held up well in the year to 31 June 2024, falling only 8 percent in the previous period. In contrast, real estate investment volumes in traditional sectors fell 31 percent over the same period.

“Investors like the living sectors because of their resilience through cycles,” says Simon Smith, Head of Asia Pacific Research at Savills. “Everyone needs somewhere to live so the various niches within the living sector are underpinned by strong demand.”

The living sectors in Asia Pacific are extremely diverse, with niches often only present in a handful of markets. Japan multifamily residential remains the most popular sector, accounting for nearly half of the capital invested in Asia Pacific living sectors in the first half of this year.

The multifamily market is smaller elsewhere but growing in both Australia and China. In China, Savills data show en-bloc transaction volumes for multifamily residential and serviced apartment properties rose 47.5 percent in the 12 months to 15th June, compared with a fall of 11 percent in the wider en-bloc investment market.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].