Vietnam Crypto Policy
Vietnam has officially legalized crypto assets through the newly passed Law
on Digital Technology Industry, which was approved by the National
Assembly on June 14, 2025, and will take effect on January 1, 2026.
This landmark legislation positions Vietnam as the first country in the
world to enact a standalone law specifically dedicated to the digital
technology industry, including crypto and virtual assets.
The law categorizes digital assets into two groups:
Virtual assets: Non-financial digital tools used for exchange or investment
(e.g., in-game tokens or loyalty points).
Crypto assets: Digital units secured by encryption and blockchain technology,
such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The law excludes traditional financial instruments like securities or digital fiat currencies (e.g., tokenized Vietnamese Dong) from both categories.67
Key features of the new policy include:
Regulatory clarity:
The government is tasked with defining specific business
conditions, classifications, and compliance requirements for digital
asset activities, including anti-money laundering (AML) and cybersecurity
standards aligned with international norms.
Incentives for innovation:
Tax exemptions, land-use benefits, and R&D support are introduced for
companies working in blockchain, AI, semiconductors, and digital
infrastructure.
Sandbox environment:
A regulatory sandbox is established to test virtual asset services with flexibility,
encouraging innovation while maintaining oversight.
Education and workforce development: Digital tech skills will be integrated into
national curricula, and regional governments are directed to support
training programs and subsidies for tech workers.
This move is partly aimed at helping Vietnam exit the Financial Action Task
Force (FATF) gray list, where it has been since 2023 due to insufficient
AML controls over virtual assets.
The law also follows a series of high-profile crypto scams in the country,
signaling a stronger regulatory stance to protect investors and enhance
financial transparency.
Vietnam is among the world’s top countries in crypto adoption, with 17
million crypto holders and over $105 billion in inflows between 2023 and
2024.
The new legal framework is expected to boost investor confidence, attract
global tech investment, and position Vietnam as a digital economy leader in
Southeast Asia.