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Vietnam Imposes Fines for Trading on Unlicensed Crypto Platforms

Vietnam has enacted fines for trading on unlicensed crypto platforms, with penalties applicable to both individuals and organizations.

Mercation Admin
July 20, 2026 1 min read
Vietnam Imposes Fines for Trading on Unlicensed Crypto Platforms

The Vietnamese government has implemented new penalties targeting crypto trading on unlicensed platforms, with fines for individuals ranging from 15 million to 25 million dong (approximately $570 to $950). Organizations face steeper penalties, between 30 million and 50 million dong (about $1140 to $1900). These regulations, which will take effect on September 1, are part of a broader framework governing the issuance and trading of crypto assets.

Fines for the most significant violations could reach up to 200 million dong (around $7700) for companies and 100 million dong ($3800) for individuals. Notably, Vietnamese citizens are barred from purchasing crypto assets that are exclusively offered to foreign investors, with potential fines for non-compliance ranging from 35 million to 100 million dong ($1330–3800).

The rules mandate that all transactions of crypto assets issued in Vietnam must occur exclusively between foreign entities via licensed operators. Organizations engaged in unlicensed services may incur fines of up to 200 million dong, along with possible equipment confiscation and operational suspensions for violations of anti-money laundering regulations and other serious offenses concerning crypto asset issuance.

As Vietnam prepares to regulate the market further, five companies are currently set to apply for licenses under a pilot program initiated on September 9, 2025. Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duy Chi announced that these companies could start operations in the regulated market by the third quarter of 2026. The pilot program will last for five years, and the minimum paid-up capital to operate is established at 10 trillion dong (around $380 million).

This regulatory move comes on the heels of Vietnam's notable position in global cryptocurrency adoption, ranking fourth worldwide in 2025 according to Chainalysis, which follows India, the USA, and Pakistan.

Vietnam Imposes Fines for Unlicensed Crypto Trading — Mercation