Vietnam Moves to Tax Crypto Like Stocks

With a proposed legal framework, Vietnam is taking steps to change how cryptocurrencies are positioned within the nation’s financial system. Under the plan, anyone trading or transferring digital assets through regulated platforms would pay a 0.1% personal income tax on the transaction value, a rate comparable to that applied to stock trades.

The proposal aims to align digital assets with securities in terms of tax classification and to exempt cryptocurrency transactions from value-added tax (VAT). These changes are part of a broader initiative to bring Vietnam’s growing cryptocurrency sector under a transparent and regulated framework.

• Proposed Tax Rules
• Regulatory Framework
• No VAT on Crypto
• Exchange Licensing Push

Proposed Tax Rules

Vietnam’s proposed tax policy would impose a 0.1% levy on all cryptocurrency transactions conducted on authorised platforms within the country, regardless of whether the investor is a domestic or international entity. This approach is designed to simplify the crypto tax base by treating digital asset transactions similarly to conventional financial instruments, mirroring the tax regime applied to securities trading.

The same proposal would exempt all bitcoin transactions from VAT, reducing the overall tax burden on market participants and reinforcing the view that these assets are treated more like financial instruments than consumer goods.

After deducting purchase costs and related expenses, institutional players or businesses would be subject to a 20% corporate income tax on profits derived from the transfer of cryptocurrency assets. Individual investors, meanwhile, would be taxed based on the transaction value.

Regulatory Framework

The proposed tax measures form part of a broader effort to strengthen market oversight and licensing rules for cryptocurrency trading. Vietnam’s draft framework outlines significant minimum capital requirements for companies seeking to operate digital asset exchanges.

According to the draft, a company must hold at least 10 trillion Vietnamese dong (approximately $408 million) in charter capital to qualify for a licence to operate a trading platform. In addition, a 49% cap on foreign ownership would be imposed to maintain domestic control over critical financial infrastructure.

This broader framework is also part of a five-year pilot programme for a regulated cryptocurrency market launched in September 2025. Under this pilot, the offering, issuance, trading, and settlement of digital assets must all be conducted in Vietnamese dong. The initiative aims to establish clear operating standards and regulatory safeguards to provide a transparent and secure environment for investors and service providers.

No VAT on Crypto

A notable feature of the draft framework is the exemption of cryptocurrency transactions from value-added tax (VAT). By removing VAT from digital asset trades, Vietnam signals a shift away from treating cryptocurrencies as taxable goods or services and toward recognising them as financial instruments.

This approach mirrors practices in certain developed financial markets where securities transactions are exempt from VAT. It also underscores Vietnam’s intention to reduce transaction costs and encourage activity on regulated platforms.

Compared with jurisdictions that impose VAT on cryptocurrency activities, this exemption could enhance Vietnam’s competitiveness, particularly for high-volume investors or frequent traders who might otherwise face complex VAT calculations on each transaction.

Exchange Licensing Push

Alongside tax measures, the new regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies introduces strict licensing requirements aimed at protecting investors and preserving market integrity. Companies seeking to operate digital asset exchanges must apply for licences and meet stringent capital thresholds, including limits on foreign ownership and robust charter capital requirements.

The emphasis on well-capitalised, regulated operators highlights Vietnam’s preference for a resilient and transparent market infrastructure rather than unchecked, rapid expansion of the cryptocurrency sector.

By treating digital assets in a manner similar to stocks for regulatory and taxation purposes, Vietnam is attempting to strike a balance between fostering innovation in digital finance and maintaining regulatory oversight comparable to that applied in traditional financial markets.

If you find any issues in this article or notice missing information, please feel free to reach out at team@etherworld.co for clarifications or updates.

To promote your Web3 articles, events, and projects, you may reach out anytime via EtherWorld PR for submissions and collaboration.

Related Articles

1. Polygon Sets January Record With $256 Million in Stablecoin Transfers
2. MetaMask Adds 200+ Tokenized US Stocks & ETFs
3. Telcoin’s eUSD Goes Live on Polygon
4. El Salvador Buys $50M in Gold as BTC Holdings Near $625M
5. ERC-8004 Signals Ethereum’s Move Toward Agentic AI Markets

To follow blockchain news, track Ethereum protocol progress, and read our latest stories, subscribe to our weekly today.