Vietnam’s 2026 digital law to regulate crypto and support tech sector

Vietnam’s parliament has passed the Law on Digital Technology Industry, set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, which will formally bring cryptocurrencies under regulation, according to Cointelegraph, citing a local news report. The law separates digital assets into two categories: virtual assets and crypto assets, both using encryption or digital technologies, but excluding securities, digital fiat and other financial instruments. It also directs the government to establish rules for classification, oversight and business operations. It also mandates cybersecurity and anti-money laundering (AML) measures aligned with international guidelines, addressing concerns from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which placed Vietnam on its gray list in 2023. The legislation includes incentives such as tax breaks for companies in AI, semiconductors and digital infrastructure.