Vietnam's 5-Year Crypto Pilot Program (2025‑2029): Rules, Opportunities & Risks
Vietnam's five‑year crypto pilot, launched in 2025, defines legal rules, licensing steps and market outlook, helping investors and providers navigate the new landscape.
When working with crypto licensing Vietnam, the legal framework that allows crypto exchanges, wallet providers, and token issuers to operate in Vietnam. Also called Vietnam crypto licensing, it sets the rules for who can trade, who can process payments, and how authorities monitor activity. The system is built around two main statutes: Vietnam crypto trading law, the regulation that governs buying, selling, and platform operations and Vietnam payment regulation, the rulebook for using digital assets as a means of payment. Both statutes were updated by Resolution 05/2025, the government decree that clearly separates trading activities from payment services, creating a licensing split that many newcomers miss. Understanding crypto licensing Vietnam means knowing which license matches your business model and what paperwork the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Ministry of Science and Technology expect.
The State Bank of Vietnam, the central bank that issues the trading license and oversees anti‑money‑laundering compliance is the primary gatekeeper for any platform that lets users buy or sell digital assets. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the agency responsible for granting payment service licenses to crypto firms evaluates whether a project can use tokens for settlement, remittance, or merchant payments. This dual‑authority model forms a semantic triple: crypto licensing Vietnam requires approval from both the SBV and the Ministry, and Resolution 05/2025 influences which authority handles a given activity. In practice, a company that only offers spot trading applies to the SBV, while a firm that wants to enable crypto‑based invoices contacts the Ministry.
Beyond the two regulators, the Digital Technology Industry Law, the broader legislative package that defines technology‑focused business categories and tax incentives also shapes licensing. It classifies crypto services as “digital financial products,” which means firms must register their capital, disclose ownership structures, and adopt robust cybersecurity measures. The law also ties into the country’s push for a “smart economy,” offering tax breaks for compliant blockchain startups. Hence, another semantic connection appears: the Digital Technology Industry Law supports crypto licensing Vietnam by providing a legal definition and fiscal incentives.
Putting these pieces together, the typical licensing pathway looks like this: first, define your business model (trading vs. payment); second, prepare a dossier that includes a business plan, AML/KYC procedures, technical audit reports, and proof of capital; third, submit the file to the appropriate regulator; fourth, undergo a review that may involve on‑site inspections and interviews; and finally, receive a certificate that must be displayed on your platform. Each step ties back to the core entities—SBV, Ministry, Resolution 05/2025, and the Digital Technology Industry Law—so missing any requirement can stall the whole process.
Below you’ll find a curated collection of articles that dig deeper into each aspect. From a breakdown of the new trading license requirements to a side‑by‑side comparison of payment‑service rules, the posts cover practical checklists, common pitfalls, and the latest regulatory updates. Whether you’re launching a new exchange, adding crypto payment options to an e‑commerce site, or just trying to stay compliant, the resources here give you concrete steps and real‑world examples to move forward confidently.
Vietnam's five‑year crypto pilot, launched in 2025, defines legal rules, licensing steps and market outlook, helping investors and providers navigate the new landscape.