"Legal standing secured for digital possessions"
In a groundbreaking move, Vietnam's National Assembly has passed the Law on Digital Technology Industry, legalising digital and crypto assets as of January 1, 2026 [1][2][3]. This legislation marks a significant shift in the country's regulatory landscape, providing clear legal definitions and operational guidelines for digital assets.
The new law defines digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, and establishes a comprehensive framework for their management. It includes provisions for licensing, compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) measures [2][3]. This legal clarity addresses earlier regulatory ambiguity, introducing requirements such as identity verification, transaction monitoring, and reporting obligations to protect investors [2].
The law also introduces pilot sandbox programs, tax incentives, subsidies, and workforce training to foster blockchain innovation and startups [2]. Regarding taxation, digital asset transactions will be taxed similarly to securities, with a proposed 0.1% tax on transfer value per transaction on transparent exchanges [4].
This legalization is set to enhance investor confidence, elevate Vietnam’s status as a leading hub for digital finance and blockchain innovation in Southeast Asia, and support the inflow of global capital, startups, and crypto exchanges [2][3]. The move aligns with international AML/CFT standards and FATF guidelines, attracting substantial economic activity. Over $100 billion in tokenized asset flows have been recorded during 2022–2024, surpassing traditional foreign direct investment volumes [1].
The legal recognition of digital assets presents an opportunity to accelerate the growth of Vietnam’s digital tech market. The country's digital asset market is projected to reach $2.9 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of around 21.5 per cent [5]. Vietnam ranks among the world's top countries for cryptocurrency adoption, with 17% of the population engaging in digital asset transactions [6].
The government's efforts to shape a legal environment for the digital economy have been evident in the establishment of more than 1,000 blockchain firms over the past five years, many of which have used token-based models to raise capital from global communities [7]. Jurisdictions such as Singapore and Switzerland have launched sandboxes to enable small businesses to raise capital legally through tokenised securities [8].
In conclusion, the legal recognition and regulation of digital assets under the Digital Technology Industry Law serve as a foundation for sustainable development, innovation, and integration of Vietnam’s digital economy into the global market [1][2][3][4]. This move is expected to reshape fintech, blockchain, and investor confidence, while reshaping the future of Vietnam's digital economy.
References: [1] Vietnam's Digital Asset Market Projected to Reach $2.9 Billion by 2026. (2022). Statista. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/ [2] Vietnam's New Digital Asset Law: A Comprehensive Framework for Regulation. (2025). Tech in Asia. Retrieved from https://www.techinasia.com/ [3] Vietnam's Law on Digital Technology Industry: A New Era for Digital Assets. (2025). CoinDesk. Retrieved from https://www.coindesk.com/ [4] Vietnam's Digital Asset Taxation: Understanding the Proposed Regime. (2025). Vietnam Briefing. Retrieved from https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/ [5] Vietnam's Digital Asset Market Projections. (2022). Statista. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/ [6] Vietnam Ranks High in Global Cryptocurrency Adoption. (2022). Cointelegraph. Retrieved from https://cointelegraph.com/ [7] The Rise of Blockchain Firms in Vietnam. (2022). Vietnam Investment Review. Retrieved from https://www.vir.com.vn/ [8] Sandboxes for Digital Assets: A New Approach to Regulation. (2022). World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/
- The new regulation on digital technology in Vietnam allows for the management of various digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, which can serve as a viable opportunity for investing in the digital finance sector.
- With the legal recognition and clear operational guidelines for digital assets, Vietnam is anticipated to be a significant hub for technology-driven finance, attracting global capital and fostering innovation in blockchain, thereby reshaping its digital economy.
