365Crypto
Vietnam Moves Toward Structured Crypto Taxes
Vietnam’s Finance Ministry is drafting rules to tax crypto trades like stock deals across licensed platforms. The proposal suggests a 0.1% personal income tax on every crypto transfer made through approved services. Officials say this simple system may help track activity while keeping taxes predictable for active traders. Vietnam ranks among the top countries for crypto adoption, yet legal clarity has lagged behind market growth.
A Familiar Tax Model for Investors
The new plan copies the existing tax applied to stock transactions in the country’s financial markets. Authorities want to treat crypto as a digital investment rather than a loose experimental asset class. The draft also says crypto trades would stay free from value-added tax to avoid double taxation. However, the turnover-based tax applies to every trade regardless of whether investors make profits or losses.
Companies Face Higher Corporate Taxes
Businesses operating in Vietnam would follow a different rulebook under the proposed framework. Companies earning profits from crypto transfers would pay a 20% corporate income tax after expenses. This structure mirrors traditional business taxes and aims to keep institutional players accountable. Institutional investors may need strong accounting systems to calculate profit deductions from purchase costs.
Tough Licensing Rules for Exchanges
The government plans strict licensing standards for crypto trading platforms operating inside the country. Exchanges must hold at least 10 trillion Vietnamese dong in charter capital to qualify for approval. This requirement is higher than the capital needed to start many banks, showing strong regulatory caution. Foreign ownership would be allowed but limited to 49% of a licensed exchange’s total equity share.
Pilot Program Faces Slow Start
Vietnam launched a five-year pilot program in September 2025 to test a regulated crypto market structure. Early reports revealed that no companies applied during the first phase due to high financial barriers. Regulators later opened formal licensing applications starting January 2026 to attract more participants. Authorities hope clear rules and legal status may eventually encourage stronger industry participation.
Footing — Quick Explanations
Turnover tax: A tax applied to the value of each transaction rather than profits.
Corporate income tax: Tax applied to company earnings after expenses are deducted.
Charter capital: The required base capital a company must hold to operate legally.
