Vietnam is taking one of the most concrete steps in Southeast Asia to integrate digital assets into traditional finance. The Ministry of Finance has proposed amendments allowing small and medium enterprises to use digital assets, virtual assets, and intellectual property as collateral when borrowing from banks.
The draft was released for public feedback from May 25 to May 29, 2026, with plans to submit it to the National Assembly in October 2026. If approved, the new rules take effect on July 1, 2027.
SMEs make up over 98% of registered businesses in Vietnam but capture only about 19-20% of total banking credit. Outstanding SME loans total nearly VND 3.8 quadrillion, roughly $144.2 billion, as of April 2026.
The proposal aligns with Politburo Resolution 68-NQ/TW, which positions the private sector as a key driver of economic growth. In 2017, the State Bank of Vietnam banned the use of virtual assets for payments, leaving their legal status murky. A pilot program from 2025 to 2026 oversees digital asset exchanges and licensing.
If approved, digital assets will gain a function beyond trading and speculation-they become productive financial instruments that can unlock real-world capital. However, banks will need frameworks to value volatile assets and manage liquidation risk. The implementation details between now and mid-2027 will be critical.