Vietnam plans to prohibit citizens from using overseas exchanges and promote pilot programs for local licensed cryptocurrency platforms

According to The Block, the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance is drafting regulations to prohibit its citizens from trading on overseas cryptocurrency platforms, while promoting a pilot program for local cryptocurrency exchange licenses.

This move stems from regulatory concerns about the rising risk of capital outflow due to the popularity of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. Chainalysis data shows that Vietnam's cryptocurrency trading volume exceeded $20 billion in the 12 months ending June 2025, ranking fourth in the global cryptocurrency adoption index. Cryptocurrency assets have been integrated into scenarios such as cross-border remittances, savings, and gaming. Currently, five institutions, including Techcombank, VPBank, LPBank affiliates, brokerage VIX Securities, and conglomerate Sun Group, have passed the first round of qualification review. The pilot program requires applicants to have a minimum paid-up registered capital of 10 billion Vietnamese dong (approximately $400 million), with a foreign ownership limit of 49%.