On June 14, Vietnam’s National Assembly passed the Law on Digital Technology Industry, officially bringing crypto assets under regulatory control. Scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, the new legislation marks a significant step toward formalizing the digital economy and promoting innovation, according to local reports.

The law distinguishes between two types of digital assets: virtual assets and crypto assets. Both are defined as using encryption or digital technologies for verification and transfer, though they explicitly exclude securities, central bank digital currencies, and other financial instruments.

The Vietnamese government is now responsible for detailing how these assets will be classified, monitored, and regulated in practice.

To align with international standards and address concerns raised by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)—which placed Vietnam on its gray list in 2023—the law also includes provisions for cybersecurity and Anti-Money Laundering measures.

Beyond digital assets, the legislation reflects Vietnam’s broader ambitions to become a global leader in technology. It introduces a range of incentives for companies involved in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure.

These include tax breaks, favorable land policies, and research and development support, particularly for firms focused on critical technologies like chip architecture and AI data centers.

Regional authorities will be tasked with supporting workforce development through funding and training initiatives, while educational institutions will begin incorporating digital technology training into national curricula. The government noted this makes Vietnam the first country to enact a standalone law dedicated specifically to the digital technology sector.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese authorities continue cracking down on crypto-related fraud. In February 2025, police arrested four individuals running a fraudulent crypto mining platform called BitMiner, which impersonated a Dubai-based company and scammed over 200 victims out of roughly $157,000 through fake mining packages and educational content.

In another case from December 2024, Hanoi police prevented 300 people from falling victim to a large-scale scam called Million Smiles. This scheme had already defrauded around $1.17 million from 100 businesses and 400 individuals using misleading promotions for a fabricated token named QFS, linked to fabricated ancestral and spiritual narratives.

Sources:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/vietnam-legalizes-crypto-sets-digital-tech-ambitions

https://en.baochinhphu.vn/law-on-digital-technology-industry-approved-111250614143640329.htm

https://theinvestor.vn/digital-assets-legalized-in-vietnam-d16008.html