Unauthorized Crypto Trading in Vietnam May Lead to Legal Action
Trading in cryptocurrencies without going through a licensed organization may result in legal action.According to Mr. Tran Toan (Ho Chi Minh City), there is currently much debate regarding individuals conducting digital asset transactions on international exchanges after September 1, 2026, given that Vietnam does not yet have any digital asset service providers licensed by competent authorities.
Mr. Toan owns digital assets on international exchanges and wants to sell them for cash. He asks whether individuals trading or buying/selling digital assets on international exchanges after September 1, 2026, will be considered to be violating the law.（Vietnam Crypto Exchange）
If he sells digital assets on an international exchange to meet his personal financial needs, and no domestic organization has been licensed to do so, would this be considered a violation of the law?
Regarding this matter, the Ministry of Finance has the following opinion:
Clause 2, Article 7 of Resolution No. 05/2025/NQ-CP dated September 9, 2025, of the Government on the pilot implementation of the cryptocurrency market in Vietnam stipulates:
“After a period of 6 months from the date the first cryptocurrency service provider is licensed, domestic investors trading cryptocurrencies without going through a cryptocurrency service provider licensed by the Ministry of Finance will be subject to administrative penalties or criminal prosecution according to the law, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.”
