As one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrency markets in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has experienced a notable surge in crypto adoption, blockchain investments, and Web3 innovations. This report offers an in-depth look at Vietnam’s evolving crypto landscape, exploring the latest trends, regulatory updates, and market developments that are shaping the future of digital assets in the country.
Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, or crypto enthusiast, this report provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges the Vietnamese crypto market presents in 2024.
The Current State of Cryptocurrency Regulations in Vietnam
Vietnam stands at a crossroads in its approach to the cryptocurrency sector. While it currently lacks a comprehensive and clear legal framework for managing digital assets, the government has begun to recognize the growing significance of the industry and is taking steps to establish appropriate regulations.
The trajectory of Vietnam’s regulatory stance on cryptocurrency has evolved over the years, with various government bodies exploring potential frameworks for managing digital currencies, addressing issues of transparency, and tackling illicit activities such as money laundering.
While the use of cryptocurrency as a payment method remains prohibited, there is no clear legal framework concerning the ownership, investment, or trading of digital assets. As of 2024, the Vietnamese government has updated its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Law to require the reporting of transactions exceeding 500 million VND to authorities.
This move suggests that while crypto is still not fully regulated, the government is seeking to ensure that large-scale crypto transactions are monitored and do not facilitate illicit activities.
When compared to other countries, Vietnam's approach to cryptocurrencies is somewhat conservative. Several nations worldwide have taken a clear stance, either embracing cryptocurrencies as legal assets or imposing complete bans:
In Southeast Asia, the situation is mixed:
Vietnam is increasingly recognizing the potential of blockchain and cryptocurrency, as demonstrated by both public and private sector efforts to integrate these technologies into the country’s economic framework. One significant aspect of this growing interest is the emphasis on educating the next generation of leaders and professionals in blockchain and crypto technologies at the university level. This concerted push towards education is a clear indication of the country’s commitment to preparing its workforce for the digital future.
Several leading Vietnamese corporations are actively exploring and adopting blockchain and cryptocurrency solutions to enhance their business operations. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the utility of blockchain in various industries, from finance to telecommunications and beyond.
These developments highlight the significant strides Vietnamese companies are making to embrace blockchain technology. However, while these initiatives are promising, there is still limited information on the outcomes and the widespread adoption of these technologies across sectors.
It is expected that with a more defined regulatory environment, local enterprises will be able to more effectively integrate blockchain and cryptocurrency into their business models.
In addition to corporate efforts, Vietnam is also fostering the growth of blockchain and crypto knowledge through educational programs. Numerous universities across the country have begun offering research opportunities and specialized courses on blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized technologies. By preparing students with the necessary skills and knowledge, Vietnam is positioning itself to stay competitive in the global blockchain and crypto ecosystem.
As the government continues to refine its regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency market, it is expected that these educational initiatives will play a crucial role in cultivating local talent that can drive innovation and adoption of crypto technologies across different sectors.
What is the Crypto Adoption Index?
The Crypto Adoption Index is based on data from various user interactions across cryptocurrency-related platforms. These include website traffic, user counts, transaction volumes, and engagement levels across multiple crypto categories. The index evaluates four main categories:
Each category is scored and then adjusted based on a country’s population ratio, allowing for a comparison of interest in crypto across different nations. The final score is a reflection of the overall level of crypto adoption in each country relative to others.
As of 2023, Vietnam ranks 9th globally in terms of crypto adoption, positioning itself among the top 10 countries for crypto acceptance and investment. This is a significant achievement for the Southeast Asian nation, which continues to demonstrate a growing interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Notable countries in the top 20 include Russia, the United States, South Korea, India, Brazil and several others from Asia, underlining the region's increasing role in the global crypto ecosystem.
In particular, Vietnam is part of a rising trend in Asia where countries are showing heightened interest in digital assets and blockchain innovation. Out of the top 20 countries with the highest crypto adoption, 9 are located in Asia (excluding transcontinental nations like Turkey and Russia). This reflects the growing enthusiasm in the region for embracing decentralized finance, blockchain applications, and crypto investments.
Key Areas of Interest in Vietnam’s Crypto Adoption
Vietnam ranks 8th in terms of engagement with blockchain ecosystems. This ranking is determined by user interaction levels on platforms like Etherscan and BSCscan, which track on-chain activities. Vietnamese investors are actively participating in various blockchain ecosystems, with notable interest in major networks like Ethereum, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, and Solana. South Korea and the UK lead in this category, but Vietnam is close behind, reflecting a high level of participation in global blockchain activities.
In the DApp category, Vietnam ranks 8th as well. This indicates that Vietnamese users are highly engaged with decentralized applications, particularly those offering DeFi services and financial tools. PancakeSwap and Stargate Finance are among the most popular DApps in Vietnam, drawing significant attention from local investors who are keen on decentralized finance opportunities.
Vietnam holds the 11th spot in the Centralized Exchange (CEX) category. Popular exchanges like Binance, Bybit, OKX, and BingX dominate the market in Vietnam, serving the growing demand for crypto trading platforms.
Additionally, exchanges catering to Vietnamese users, such as Coinbase (US-based) and Upbit (South Korea-based), are also considered in the rankings, which reflect the country's relatively open market for global crypto platforms.
When it comes to popular crypto tools, Vietnam ranks 7th globally. This suggests that Vietnamese investors have a high demand for accurate and up-to-date information. CoinMarketCap is the most widely used crypto platform in Vietnam, with nearly 12 million visits in 2023. CoinGecko follows closely behind with over 1.5 million visits.
These platforms help investors track prices, market trends, and the performance of various digital assets, contributing to the country's robust crypto activity.
Conclusion: Vietnam’s Growing Crypto Ecosystem
Vietnam's position in the Crypto Adoption Index highlights its increasing engagement with cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The country is making significant strides in both the blockchain ecosystem and decentralized finance, as reflected in its strong rankings across key categories such as blockchain exploration, DApps, CEX platforms, and crypto tools. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, Vietnam’s role as a leading crypto adopter in Southeast Asia is likely to strengthen, presenting opportunities for investors and businesses alike.
In conclusion, Vietnam is poised to remain a major player in the global crypto market, with continued growth in adoption and a vibrant crypto community. The country’s active participation in the blockchain ecosystem, combined with a growing demand for crypto tools and platforms, will help solidify its position as one of the top countries driving the future of cryptocurrency and decentralized technologies.
The blockchain and cryptocurrency sector in Vietnam has witnessed significant progress in 2023, with the emergence of a variety of blockchain projects developed by local teams. These projects span multiple categories, contributing to the country's dynamic blockchain ecosystem. This section will focus on the key Vietnamese blockchain projects that have garnered attention due to their innovative approaches and substantial market impact.
In 2023, Vietnamese blockchain projects were primarily centered around Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) blockchain platforms, which together account for a combined 45% of the total blockchain initiatives in the country. These platforms are crucial in enhancing scalability, performance, and reducing transaction costs on blockchain networks.
L1 and L2 blockchain projects have dominated not only in terms of the number of projects but also in their market capitalization rankings. Among the top 15 blockchain projects developed by Vietnamese teams, six belong to the L1/L2 category. Notable examples include:
These projects have not only achieved recognition in Vietnam but also attracted international attention, signaling the increasing influence of Vietnamese blockchain initiatives on the global stage.
In 2023, a notable shift occurred in the way Vietnamese crypto investors engage with content and participate in crypto communities. Traditionally, Telegram has been a central platform for crypto discussions and community building. However, data suggests a shift in user behavior, with a decline in the number of crypto investors participating in Telegram channels. This slowdown, while not drastic, is reflective of broader changes in how investors consume and interact with crypto-related content in Vietnam.
X (Formerly Twitter)
While Telegram’s crypto communities have shown signs of slowing down, X (formerly known as Twitter) has emerged as the new favorite platform for Vietnamese crypto enthusiasts. Many crypto communities on X, excluding those led by Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), have experienced substantial growth throughout 2023. The platform’s real-time updates, interactive features, and ease of sharing crypto-related news and trends have made it a go-to platform for investors seeking active discussions and rapid access to information.
YouTube and TikTok
In addition to X, YouTube and TikTok have seen a significant surge in crypto-related content creation. These platforms have become essential hubs for visual and interactive content, where creators and influencers share insights, tutorials, market analyses, and news about the cryptocurrency space. TikTok, in particular, has experienced an explosion in crypto communities, attracting a younger demographic that engages with short, digestible content. YouTube, with its long-form videos, continues to cater to those seeking in-depth explanations and discussions.
This shift reflects a broader trend among Vietnamese crypto investors toward platforms that emphasize visual engagement, user interaction, and community building, moving away from the more static nature of traditional forums like Telegram.
Websites
While the transition to more interactive platforms is evident, crypto-related media platforms in Vietnam have seen a slight decline in interest. Traffic to crypto media websites in 2023 has dropped compared to the previous year, signaling that traditional news and information sites are losing ground to newer, more dynamic platforms. This trend mirrors the shifting interests of investors, who are increasingly drawn to platforms that allow them to participate in content creation and real-time discussions.
Phan Duc Trung, the Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA) emphasized Vietnam's transformative journey in blockchain technology. He pointed out that, as of 2024, Vietnam ranks as one of the leading countries globally in crypto adoption, underpinned by a strong growth trajectory in both the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors.
"Blockchain in Vietnam has advanced significantly in recent years," said Trung. "The rise of Real World Assets (RWAs) is set to reshape the market, with projections indicating that RWAs could represent up to 10% of global GDP by 2030. Meanwhile, DeFi continues to thrive with billions of dollars in transactions, demonstrating the market's capacity to attract substantial capital and innovation."
Vietnam’s strong crypto adoption rate places it among the top three countries in the Global Cryptocurrency Adoption Index, a ranking published annually by Chainalysis. This index has consistently placed Vietnam alongside major global players like Russia and India, highlighting the growing embrace of digital currencies among Vietnamese consumers.
Vietnam is already emerging as a key blockchain hub in Southeast Asia and globally. As of 2023, the country ranks seventh globally in terms of blockchain investment. This is a direct reflection of the country's conducive environment for crypto ventures, which includes a growing base of developers, entrepreneurs, and investors who are committed to blockchain innovation.
The country's government and private sector are actively collaborating on the development of cutting-edge blockchain applications, particularly in DeFi, NFTs, and the tokenization of real-world assets. Additionally, Vietnamese companies are increasingly integrating blockchain into a range of industries, including gaming, supply chain management, and finance.
A prominent example of this is Ronin, a blockchain built by the Axie Infinity team that has achieved widespread adoption within the gaming sector. Ronin, along with other notable projects like Viction (formerly TomoChain) and KardiaChain reflects the growing maturity of the local blockchain ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Vietnam is poised to continue its accelerated growth in the crypto sector. The global blockchain market is projected to reach a market size of $164 billion by 2029, which represents a staggering 27-fold increase from $6 billion in 2021. With its strong performance in blockchain investment, Vietnam’s future within this expanding global market appears exceptionally promising.
Notably, the Vietnamese market benefits from a high rate of crypto adoption. The country’s young, tech-savvy population, along with increasing interest in DeFi, NFTs, and the tokenization of real-world assets, sets the stage for rapid growth and innovation. As the regulatory framework continues to take shape, this will likely encourage even greater foreign investment and accelerate the development of new blockchain use cases.
With growing interest from international investors and global blockchain projects, Vietnam is rapidly positioning itself as a dominant player in the global crypto ecosystem. The country's evolving regulatory framework, coupled with its strong entrepreneurial spirit, provides a solid foundation for sustained growth in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors. As these developments continue to unfold, Vietnam is set to remain a crucial hub for the industry, attracting both domestic and international players for years to come.