Vietnam, long one of the world's highest-adoption markets operating in a legal vacuum, wrote digital assets into law for the first time with the Law on Digital Technology Industry, passed in June 2025 and effective January 1, 2026. The statute defines virtual assets and crypto assets, distinguishes them from securities and fiat, and assigns the government authority to set business conditions. A companion government resolution launched a five-year pilot for a regulated domestic crypto market, channelling issuance and trading through licensed institutions under Ministry of Finance supervision, with capital requirements designed to keep early participation institutional.
The State Bank of Vietnam's prohibition on using crypto as a means of payment remains in force, and the pilot's licensing decisions through 2026 will determine how much of the enormous informal market moves onshore.
The instruments
Law on Digital Technology Industry
Vietnam's first statute recognizing digital assets: defines virtual assets and crypto assets, excludes them from legal-tender status, and gives the government authority to set business conditions, cybersecurity, and AML standards for the sector.
Resolution piloting the crypto asset market
Authorizes a supervised pilot in which licensed institutions may issue and operate trading in crypto assets under Ministry of Finance oversight, with high capital thresholds and phased scope.