Vietnam has passed an important bill to create a structured legal environment for digital assets. This new law, called the Digital Technology Law, will take effect in January 2026.
This lays the foundation for regulated cryptocurrency activities and is designed to promote the development of this emerging industry.
Vietnam Announces Bold Cryptocurrency Law
According to the report, the new law officially recognizes digital assets and divides them into two main categories: virtual assets and cryptocurrency assets.
Cryptocurrency assets are digital tools based on encryption technology and blockchain for creation, issuance, storage, and transfer. They include tokens used to authenticate transactions and verify ownership on distributed networks.
In contrast, virtual assets are primarily used for trading or investment purposes. They do not include instruments such as securities, stablecoin, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), or other regulated financial products.
The law empowers the government to define these asset categories, set business conditions, and monitor their activities.
It also requires relevant agencies to implement strict anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) standards to protect the ecosystem's integrity.
Beyond cryptocurrency regulations, this law lays the groundwork for broader technological development.
It introduces policies to strengthen Vietnam's digital infrastructure and promote development in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and high-tech manufacturing.
According to the report, technology companies working on digital products or advanced computer systems will have access to various incentives. These incentives include research and development support, talent training, and infrastructure collaboration.
This comprehensive approach aligns with Vietnam's ambition to become a competitor in the digital economy. According to Chainalysis, Vietnam currently ranks fifth globally in cryptocurrency adoption, indicating strong domestic demand.
Industry activists believe an official legal framework will help Vietnam attract more investment and position itself as a serious contender alongside established blockchain centers like Singapore.
Notably, Vietnam's regulatory move comes after recent efforts by the Ministry of Finance to launch a pilot cryptocurrency trading platform with support from cryptocurrency exchange Bybit.
