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Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia to make Cryptocurrency Legal

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Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia to make Cryptocurrency Legal

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Vietnam has become a leader in Southeast Asia’s digital economy by legally legalizing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) with the passing of the Law on Digital Technology Industry.

This is a big step forward which the National Assembly passed on June 14, 2025, and which will go into effect on January 1, 2026, is a big step toward incorporating blockchain technology and digital assets into Vietnam’s economy.

The bill not only makes cryptocurrencies legal, but it also creates a strong regulatory environment that encourages new ideas in fields like AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure.

A New Age for Cryptocurrencies in Vietnam

The new Law on Digital Technology Industry gives firms and investors in Vietnam’s fast-changing digital economy a clear and safe way to manage digital assets. This law splits digital assets into two groups: virtual assets and cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), employ cryptographic methods to make sure transactions are safe and genuine.

Virtual assets, on the other hand, are things like in-game tokens or points that are used for transactions in certain ecosystems.

As of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) is worth about $106,607, which is a small increase of 0.55% over the last 24 hours. BTC has gone up 1% in the last week, thanks to better trading conditions around the world and rising investor confidence.

The legalization of cryptocurrencies in Vietnam adds to this good trend, showing that the government is strongly in favor of digital assets.

Bitcoin’s market valuation is about $2.12 trillion right now, with 19.88 million BTC in circulation and a trading volume of about $37.39 billion in the last 24 hours.

Vietnam’s Laws About Crypto

The Prime Minister of Vietnam gave orders to create a legal framework for digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This was the first step toward making cryptocurrency legal in the country.

This preemptive step shows that Vietnam is serious about using blockchain technology in its economy.

The new law sets strict rules for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF), making sure that the crypto ecosystem works in a safe and open way.

Vietnam is becoming a center for blockchain innovation in Southeast Asia by accepting cryptocurrencies as real assets.

The law not only supports the usage of digital currencies, but it also fosters the growth of technology that are related to them, like decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and blockchain-based apps.

This move is likely to bring in both domestic and international investors, which will create a lively environment for both new and established crypto enterprises.

Effects on the region and the world

Vietnam’s brave move to make cryptocurrencies legal could lead to a race among other Southeast Asian countries to adopt and control digital assets.

Vietnam is getting ready to compete with well-known Web3 hotspots like Singapore and South Korea by making rules that are easy to understand.

The country’s forward-thinking approach will probably encourage other countries in the region to speed up their own rules for cryptocurrencies, which will help them become more popular around the world.

Vietnam’s decision is in line with a growing trend of countries throughout the world realizing how blockchain and cryptocurrencies could change the world. Bitcoin is already legal tender in several countries, like El Salvador and the Central African Republic.

Other countries, like Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, have made it easier for people to use cryptocurrencies.

Vietnam’s all-encompassing strategy, which combines crypto with other cutting-edge technologies like AI and semiconductors, makes it a forward-thinking player in the global digital economy.

The legalization also has a big effect on Vietnam’s economy as a whole. The law makes things less unpredictable for businesses and investors by giving them a clear legal framework. This encourages new ideas and businesses.

Crypto entrepreneurs in Vietnam will be able to grow and compete on a global level thanks to a legally recognized environment in which they can do business.

The law also focuses on AML/CTF standards, which makes sure that Vietnam’s crypto ecosystem follows international financial rules. This makes it more credible and attractive to institutional investors.

Conclusion

The Law on Digital Technology Industry made Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies legal in Vietnam. This is a big step forward for the country’s technology and economy. Vietnam is not only boosting its digital economy by recognizing digital assets and creating a clear legal framework, but it is also setting a new benchmark for bitcoin use in Southeast Asia.

The law will go into effect on January 1, 2026, and it is projected to lead to a lot of economic growth, bring in investment from around the world, and make Vietnam a leader in the region’s digital transformation. Vietnam is boldly moving into the future of banking and technology, and the world is watching.

Aryad Satriawan is an Investment Storyteller with a professional career in the crypto (web3) and stock market industry. Aryad has been actively trading and writing analysis/research on crypto, stock and forex markets since 2016, currently an educator at one of the largest stock broker in Indonesia.
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