Vietnam Proposes 0.1% Tax on Crypto Trades Under New Securities Framework
How Would Crypto Transactions Be Taxed?
Vietnam is preparing to introduce a tax framework that would treat cryptocurrency transactions in a similar way to securities trading, according to a draft policy circulated by the Ministry of Finance and reported by local outlet The Hanoi Times.
Under the proposal, individuals transferring crypto assets through licensed service providers would pay a 0.1% personal income tax on the value of each transaction. The levy mirrors the tax currently applied to stock trades in Vietnam, applying on a turnover basis rather than on net profit.
The draft circular, which has been released for public consultation, classifies crypto transfers and trading as exempt from value-added tax. However, the transaction-based income tax would apply regardless of whether the investor is a resident or non-resident, as long as the transfer is executed through a licensed platform.
Investor Takeaway
What Does the Proposal Mean for Companies?
Institutional investors would fall under a different tax regime. Companies earning income from crypto transfers would be subject to a 20% corporate income tax, calculated on profits after deducting purchase costs and related expenses, according to the same report.
This distinction reflects a broader effort to align crypto activity with existing financial tax structures rather than creating a separate regime. Individual investors would face a flat levy tied to transaction value, while corporate entities would be assessed based on net income, consistent with how other business activities are taxed in Vietnam.
The proposal suggests that authorities are prioritizing clarity and consistency, even if that comes at the expense of tailoring tax treatment to the unique volatility and cost structure of crypto markets.
How Is Vietnam Defining Crypto Assets?
Alongside the tax framework, authorities have reportedly introduced a formal definition of crypto assets. Under the draft, they are described as digital assets that rely on cryptographic or similar technologies for issuance, storage, and transfer verification.
The draft also sets out strict conditions for market operators. Companies seeking to run a digital asset exchange would be required to hold at least 10 trillion Vietnamese dong, or about $408 million, in charter capital. That threshold exceeds the capital requirement for commercial banks and stands well above standards applied in many other sectors.
Foreign participation would be allowed, but ownership would be capped at 49% of an exchange’s equity. The combination of high capital requirements and ownership limits reflects a cautious approach that favors domestic control and financial resilience over rapid market entry.
Investor Takeaway
Why Timing Matters for Vietnam’s Crypto Market
The draft rules arrive as Vietnam continues to roll out a five-year pilot program for a regulated crypto asset market, launched in September 2025. Despite Vietnam ranking among the top countries globally for crypto adoption, authorities confirmed in October 2025 that no firms had applied to join the pilot at that stage, citing demanding capital and eligibility criteria.
Last month, the regulatory framework moved closer to implementation when Vietnam opened licensing applications for digital asset trading platforms. The State Securities Commission of Vietnam said that applications for the relevant administrative procedures would be accepted beginning January 20, 2026.
