Vietnam to Launch Official Crypto Asset Market in Q3 2026, Says Deputy Finance Minister

Highlights:

• Vietnam’s Deputy Finance Minister confirms the country’s crypto market could go live by Q3 of the year.
• Authorities are preparing five licensed companies to operate digital asset trading platforms safely.
• The move supports Vietnam’s goal of achieving a 30% share of the digital economy by 2030.

Vietnam could officially launch its cryptocurrency and digital asset market in the third quarter of 2026, according to VnEconomy’s report published on Wednesday. This would mark one of Southeast Asia’s biggest moves toward regulated crypto trading. 

The update was shared on May 12 by Nguyen Duc Chi, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Finance. He made the announcement during the Digital Trust in Finance forum in Vietnam. The event focused on “Building Digital Financial Trust in the AI Era” and brought together key leaders from the country’s finance and technology sectors.

“We believe that, as early as the third quarter, Vietnam could witness the first official activities of its crypto asset market, operating under a framework designed to ensure safety and transparency,” Mr. Chi announced. His statement shows that the government is moving closer to bringing crypto trading into a formal system instead of leaving the sector outside official oversight.

Vietnam Prepares Licensed Platforms for Safer Digital Asset Trading

The Ministry of Finance is working with the Ministry of Public Security and the State Bank of Vietnam on the plan. These agencies are preparing to approve five companies that will provide services for organizing and operating digital asset trading platforms in the country.

For users and businesses, this could make digital asset trading safer and more trusted. A regulated platform would give people clearer rules, better protection, and fewer risks from unapproved service providers. It would also help authorities monitor the market more closely and take action when needed.

Vietnam’s Crypto Market Plan Supports Its Digital Economy Goals

Vietnam has shown a strong interest in digital transformation in recent years. The latest crypto market plan is part of a wider push to develop the country’s digital economy. At the forum, Nguyen Duc Chi said the work is also connected to Resolution 57-NQ/TW, which supports science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation across the country.

Under this plan, Vietnam wants its digital economy to contribute at least 30% of the country’s GDP by 2030. It also aims to make 80% of financial transactions cashless and involve more than 40% of businesses in innovation activities.

It appears from the above objectives that Vietnam is increasingly focusing on digital finance. Cryptocurrencies and digital currency trading platforms could fit well within the nation’s broader fintech ecosystem if properly leveraged. However, the government does not appear to be rushing in. It wants to ensure that the proper framework is set up first.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance is also involved in large-scale digitization projects that go beyond cryptocurrency. This includes developing digital customs, completely digitized taxes, and advanced budget management technologies. Together, these efforts show that Vietnam wants to build a more digital financial system across several areas, not only in crypto.