Vietnam Unveils New Crypto Tax Framework

• Crypto trades face 0.1% personal tax; foreign investors included—like treating digital coins as stock trades.

• Companies pay 20% tax on crypto profits but must meet huge capital and strict rules to operate in Vietnam.

• Pilot program starts licensing exchanges Jan 2026, pushing crypto trading from planning to real regulated markets.

Vietnam is regulating its cryptocurrency market, proposing a tax system that aligns digital assets with securities trading. The Ministry of Finance circulated a draft policy outlining a 0.1% personal income tax on crypto transactions through licensed service providers.

The tax will also cover foreign investors executing transfers. The draft also exempts crypto transfers from value-added tax, signaling a targeted approach that mirrors existing stock trade rules. Consequently, the country aims to formalize crypto trading and attract responsible market participation.

The draft defines crypto assets as digital tokens relying on cryptographic or similar technology for issuance, storage, and transfer verification. Moreover, companies operating in Vietnam face distinct rules. Institutional investors earning income from crypto transfers will pay a 20% corporate income tax, calculated after deducting purchase costs and related expenses.

However, there is a stringent requirement for firms. The exchange needs to maintain charter capital of at least 10 trillion Vietnamese Dong, or $408 million, which is well beyond even banks and most other industries. The limit of 49 percent remains applicable for foreign ownership.

Pilot Program and Licensing

Vietnam launched a five-year pilot program for a regulated crypto market in September 2025. No companies had applied by October 2025, given the requirement of having to meet the strict eligibility and capital requirement threshold criteria. In this respect, the Ministry of Finance also started applications regarding licenses for operating digital asset platforms.

“Applications for the aforementioned administrative procedures will be accepted beginning January 20, 2026,” the State Securities Commission of Vietnam stated. Hence, the regulatory framework is moving from planning to operational reality.

The draft rules also promote oversight at the same time by retaining strict entry standards. Firms have to comply with capital requirements and operational standards before they can take part. Additionally, by formally treating crypto transactions similarly to securities, Vietnam also models its market along global regulatory standards. Besides taxation, the strategy also creates a clear legal definition for crypto assets.