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Vietnam Draft Rules Set Sights on 0.1% Tax on Crypto Transfers

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Vietnam is moving to formalize how crypto transactions are taxed and regulated, signaling a push toward a tightly controlled but economically significant digital asset market. A draft circular circulated by the Ministry of Finance would impose a 0.1% personal income tax on the value of each crypto transfer executed through licensed service providers, aligning digital asset activity with the country’s securities trading framework. While transfers and trading would be VAT-exempt, the plan taxes turnover, applying the levy to investors regardless of residency. For institutions, crypto-related income would be taxed at 20% corporate rate, calculated after deducting purchase costs and related expenses. The measures also set a high bar for exchanges, including a 10 trillion dong charter capital threshold and a 49% foreign-ownership cap, reflecting a cautious approach to market infrastructure.

The draft circular, released for public consultation, also formalizes a definition of crypto assets as digital assets issued, stored or transferred using cryptographic or similar technologies. It arrives as Vietnam accelerates a broader, five-year pilot program for a regulated crypto-asset market that began in September 2025. By October 2025, officials indicated no companies had applied to participate in the pilot, underscoring barriers related to capital requirements and eligibility criteria. Separately, authorities have begun opening licensing windows for digital asset trading platforms, signaling that the regulatory framework could start to take shape in early 2026.

As the policy discussion unfolds, Vietnam’s approach appears to be balancing tax revenue opportunities with stringent oversight of who can operate and how financial flows are monitored. The Ministry of Finance’s draft circulates alongside ongoing regulatory experiments and a push to bring crypto activity into formal channels, while the broader ecosystem weighs the implications for retail investors, institutions, and technology providers. The Hanoi Times highlighted the 0.1% PIT as the centerpiece of the tax framework, noting that the tax would be levied on transfers through licensed providers and would mirror the existing stock-trading levy in form and function. The article also points to a clear distinction between value-added tax treatment and turnover taxes, a nuance that could influence how exchanges structure their operations and how tax authorities monitor cross-border activity.

Vietnam formally defines crypto assets

In what appears to be a step toward regulatory clarity, authorities described crypto assets as digital instruments that rely on cryptographic or analogous technologies to issue, store and verify transfers. This definitional move is a precursor to stricter licensing criteria and more predictable tax treatment, which in turn could attract legitimate players while screening out speculative, non-compliant activity. The proposed regime sets a higher capital bar for exchanges than many industries require for traditional banks, signaling an intent to ensure resilience and risk controls in markets that are closely linked to global capital flows.

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Under the proposed rules, operators seeking to run a digital asset exchange would need substantial capital, with charter requirements set at 10 trillion dong (about $408 million at current exchange rates). Foreign ownership would be allowed but capped at 49% of an exchange’s equity, limiting influence from outside the country while still enabling international participation. Such thresholds underscore the government’s preference for domestic guardianship of critical financial infrastructure, even as it permits foreign-backed ventures to participate under strict caps and regulatory oversight.

The broader regulatory arc has been visible since Vietnam launched a five-year crypto market pilot in September 2025, a landmark shift intended to test how a regulated ecosystem could coexist with a growing domestic economy. By early October, authorities acknowledged that no companies had yet submitted applications to join the pilot, a reflection of the substantial entry hurdles and careful qualification criteria in play. This admission came alongside reports that the pilot’s scope would eventually be complemented by formal licensing for trading platforms, a move that would bring crypto activity under formal government supervision and pave the way for standardized reporting and consumer protections.

Vietnam opens licensing for crypto exchanges

In the lag time between policy signals and practical rollout, Vietnam began accepting applications for exchange licenses, marking a tangible step toward operationalizing a regulated crypto market. The State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) stated that applications would be accepted starting January 20, 2026, framing the licensing process as a deliberate, multi-year effort to bring crypto activities into a formal regulatory framework. The liquidity and risk-management requirements implied by the licensing window are designed to channel legitimate market participants into a controlled environment, potentially reducing fraud and improving transparency for investors and policymakers alike.

Key takeaways

  • The Ministry of Finance’s draft circular would impose a 0.1% personal income tax on the value of each crypto transfer conducted through licensed providers, aligning crypto transfers with the country’s stock-trading levy.
  • Crypto transfers and trading would be exempt from value-added tax, while turnover-based taxation would apply to investors regardless of residency status.
  • Institutional investors earning income from crypto transfers would face a 20% corporate income tax on profits after deducting costs and expenses.
  • Exchanges would face a high capital requirement of 10 trillion dong (roughly $408 million) and foreign ownership would be limited to 49% of equity.
  • A formal definition of crypto assets would anchor regulatory rules, helping separate compliant activity from informal or illicit use cases.
  • The country has launched a five-year pilot for a regulated crypto market (Sept 2025) with licensing for exchanges anticipated to begin in 2026, although initial participation had not materialized by Oct 2025.

Market context: The policy comes as many jurisdictions reassess how to regulate crypto markets, balancing tax revenue with consumer protection and financial stability. Vietnam’s approach leans toward rigorous control, reflecting a global trend toward centralized oversight while still signaling potential for regulated participation by international players under strict conditions.

Why it matters

The package signals a deliberate attempt to integrate crypto activity into the formal economy, with taxes and licensing acting as primary levers to enhance oversight. For retail investors, the PIT on transfers through licensed providers creates a clear tax path that will influence trading behavior and cost considerations. Institutions face a defined tax regime and a high bar for market entry, potentially filtering participants to those willing to navigate substantial capital prerequisites and regulatory compliance obligations.

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From a market infrastructure perspective, the 10 trillion dong charter capital threshold and 49% foreign-ownership cap set a high ceiling for domestic exchanges, aiming to safeguard the financial system while still inviting foreign expertise. The definitional clarity around crypto assets helps align Vietnamese rules with broader financial standards, reducing ambiguity for developers, exchanges, and custodians seeking to establish local operations. Observers will watch how this framework interacts with ongoing pilot programs and whether the regulatory appetite broadens to accommodate more players over time.

For policymakers, the balance between revenue collection, investor protection, and market growth is delicate. Vietnam’s approach suggests a patient, data-driven trajectory: tax structures that incentivize compliance, capital requirements that deter low-capital risk, and licensing that creates an auditable, auditable market foundation. If successful, the model could influence neighboring economies contemplating similar regulated pathways for digital assets, especially in a region where adoption is uneven and regulatory certainty remains a key obstacle for institutional participation.

What to watch next

  • January 20, 2026: Applications open for digital asset exchange licenses, establishing a formal entry point for market participants.
  • Public responses to the draft circular: Feedback from domestic and international stakeholders could shape final text and practical implementation.
  • Details on how PIT and corporate tax will be administered across different crypto products and services, including calculation methodologies and reporting requirements.
  • Progress of the five-year pilot: uptake, participant eligibility, and any regulatory adjustments arising from early pilot findings.
  • Any updates to foreign ownership rules or capital thresholds as exchanges begin building their local presence under clarified regulatory conditions.

Sources & verification

  • Draft circular on crypto taxation and licensing circulated by Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance for public consultation.
  • The Hanoi Times report outlining the 0.1% personal income tax on crypto transfers through licensed providers.
  • Five-year crypto market pilot launched in September 2025, with a status update stating no applicants as of October 6, 2025.
  • State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) statement on the licensing window for digital asset exchanges and the January 20, 2026 start date.
  • Coverage of Vietnam opening licensing for crypto exchanges and related regulatory developments referenced in contemporaneous reporting.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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As ‘Sell America’ market volatility rages on, look to your bonds

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Fixed income will remain essential in portfolios this year, predicts BondBloxx's Joanna Gallegos
Fixed income will remain essential in portfolios this year, predicts BondBloxx's Joanna Gallegos

Amid recent debate over the so-called “Sell America” trade and capital rotating out of U.S. markets, foreign stocks have received most of the attention. But international bonds, especially emerging market bonds, have also been riding high.

“The best performing area in fixed income year to date, and also last year, was emerging markets,” said Joanna Gallegos, co-founder of fixed-income ETF company BondBloxx on this week’s CNBC “ETF Edge.”

As an example, the iShares JPMorgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) generated over a 13% return in 2025. BondBloxx’s JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD) had a similar 2025.

Weakness in the U.S. dollar, concerns about the fiscal health of the U.S. at a time of high spending and deficits, and the investing impact of President Trump’s foreign policy, plus the recent performance trends, are all contributing to more interest from investors to diversify internationally.

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But for Gallegos, it start with the currency and performance chasing rather than a view that the U.S. is losing favor as a market. “The dollar pressure is putting more of a view on non-U.S. assets,” Gallegos said. “I think people are just seeing the returns from last year and looking for a way to take advantage of those opportunities more so than anything else,” she said. “The U.S. trade is not going away,” she added.

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The performance of the iShares JPMorgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF versus the iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF over the past five years.

Morningstar data for the month of January backs up the view that U.S. investors are not abandoning the domestic market, whether it is stocks or bonds being debated and even as more assets move overseas.

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U.S. market ETFs brought in an estimated $156 billion of net inflows in January, which was the best January ever, according to Morningstar. But investors also added $51 billion in net positive flows to international equity ETFs, which was a monthly record for that category. And taxable bond ETFs popped, with $46 billion from investors in net inflows for the month, led by Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) and the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT).

Despite fears about a private credit bubble, the U.S. continues to offer “the strongest fixed income market,” according to Gallegos, and “the biggest opportunity set for the world to continue to invest in it.”

Investors are expanding their portfolios and adding new sources of return while keeping U.S. assets at the core. “I think we still see resilient economy,” Gallegos said, pointing to steady earnings and a strong corporate balance sheet. In the bond market, specifically, she said, “the yield curve looks like it’s steepening, behaving appropriately, with rates on the long end being higher than the rates on the shorter end.”

Todd Sohn, technical strategist at Strategas Securities, said on “ETF Edge” that the scale of potential change on the fixed-income side of the portfolio is even larger than what is happening with equity assets, but it is not necessarily an international-first story. Money market funds have dominated flows for the past few years, with “trillion in assets” sitting on the sidelines as cash accounts have generated decent returns with no risk. But as central bank interest rates begin to drift lower, Sohn says more capital will move into the credit markets and bonds. “That money is going to get deployed to fixed-income products,” he said.

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Gallegos says investors no longer need to stretch as far for yield. She highlighted investment-grade credit, and in particular, investors seizing the opportunity to move “out on the rate spectrum to BBB,” where yields are higher but default risk remains historically low. And she emphasized that bonds are no longer solely a defensive tool. “Bonds are not just necessarily the safety part of your portfolio, but also the opportunity and the income set as well,” Gallegos said.

Top bond ETFs by assets

  1. Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND)
  2. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG)
  3. Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX)
  4. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV)
  5. Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT)

Source: VettaFi

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What Caused Bitcoin Crash? 3 Theories Behind BTC’s 40% Dip in a Month

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Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has endured one of its steepest drawdowns in weeks, sinking more than 40% over the past month to a year-to-date low near $59,930 on Friday. The retreat leaves the asset roughly 50% off its October 2025 all-time high around $126,200. Market participants point to a mix of leverage, ETF-linked products, and shifting risk appetite as the accelerants behind the move. The episode has intensified scrutiny of the nexus between funding channels, hedging activity, and mining economics as liquidity tightens and option markets unwind.

Key takeaways

  • Analysts highlight Asia-linked flow dynamics—including leveraged bets tied to Bitcoin ETFs and yen funding—as potential catalysts for the sell-off.
  • Short-term risk to miners remains elevated, with BTC hovering near the $60k mark and the possibility of renewed pressure if the level fails to hold.
  • A widely discussed theory posits that banks could have been forced to unwind exposure to structured notes tied to spot BTC ETFs, amplifying selling pressure during the slide.
  • The mining sector is reportedly pivoting toward AI data-center workloads, contributing to hash-rate shifts and changing the economics of mining operations.
  • Hash-rate indicators and production-cost data suggest mounting stress for some operators if prices stay depressed, particularly for producers with higher energy costs.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $IBIT, $SOL, $RIOT

Sentiment: Bearish

Price impact: Negative. The price collapse has heightened risk across mining cash flows and lenders’ hedging obligations, reinforcing a downside tilt.

Market context: The move unfolds amid thinning liquidity, ongoing ETF flow considerations, and macro risk sentiment that shape crypto pricing and funding conditions.

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Why it matters

At its core, the current bout of volatility underscores how crypto price action remains tethered to leverage cycles and funding dynamics. If large holders and miners face balance-sheet stress as prices retreat, the resilience of BTC could hinge on liquidity restoration and the capacity of major players to manage hedges and collateral calls. The episode also highlights the growing integration between traditional finance instruments and crypto exposure—for example, ETF-linked notes and over-the-counter hedges—where the mechanics of delta-hedging can intensify price moves in fast-moving markets.

From a mining perspective, the evolving energy and capacity landscape matters for network security and long-term dynamics. Reports about miners reallocating capital toward AI data-center projects signal a shift in how hardware is deployed and priced into production costs. The tension between a falling price floor and rising or variable energy expenses can widen the gap between theoretical profitability and actual cash flow for operators. This has implications for hash-rate stability, miner incentives, and the broader health of BTC mining outside of bull-market phases.

On the regulatory and institutional front, the unfolding narrative intersects with how large banks and asset managers interact with crypto products. If organized hedging around spot BTC ETFs remains sizable, any further price shocks could trigger feedback loops that amplify volatility until markets reach a clearer equilibrium between funding costs, risk appetite, and crypto demand. The conversation around Morgan Stanley and other banks’ hedging behavior—whether tied to structured notes or other instruments—adds a layer of complexity to understanding who bears the cost of volatility and how liquidity is distributed during stress episodes.

What to watch next

  • Bitcoin’s price behavior around the $60,000 level: does it defend the level, or does renewed downside pressure test nearby support?
  • Hash-rate and mining economics: will energy costs and capital reallocation toward AI data centers reshape the mining landscape in the coming weeks?
  • ETF flows and bank hedging: how do institutional exposures to BTC-linked products evolve, and what does that imply for liquidity during stress periods?
  • Corporate pivots in mining: how are operators like Riot Platforms (RIOT) and others adjusting capital plans in response to price volatility?
  • Macro and regulatory cues: what new developments could alter risk sentiment or the availability of liquidity to crypto markets?

Sources & verification

  • BTC price level and price-action narrative tied to the week’s moves and the year-to-date low near $59,930, with reference to the BTC/USD daily chart from TradingView.
  • Activity around BlackRock’s IBIT and related volume/option data cited as a trigger for stress and unwind in ETF-linked bets.
  • Discussion of structured-note hedging and potential bank involvements, anchored to the Morgan Stanley product documentation and related regulatory filings.
  • Hash-rate and mining-cost indicators, including the Hash Ribbons signal and underlying cost data for mining operations (electricity costs and net production expenditure).
  • Company-level mining shifts and past activity, such as Riot Platforms’ December actions and IREN’s pivot to AI data-center deployments, as cited in related articles.

Bitcoin price reaction and miner vulnerabilities

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has endured a rapid re-pricing as liquidity conditions tightened and carry trades unwound. After a run that had carried the asset close to $126,200 in October 2025, BTC retraced to around $59,930 by Friday, exposing a more than 40% drop from recent highs and placing the year-to-date performance in the red. The pullback comes amid a confluence of factors: patience in risk markets, sudden squeezes in leveraged bets, and the energy of ETF-linked products that amplify price movements when flows reverse. The narrative has centered on Asia-based players who had pursued aggressive bets on BTC appreciation using options tied to Bitcoin ETFs and financing through yen borrowings. As one participant described, this funding dynamic allowed bets to scale quickly, only to reverse with the worsening price trajectory.

BTC/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingView

The tension around ETF-linked products is exemplified by BlackRock’s IBIT discussions, where a surge in volume and options activity was observed on one of the largest days for the instrument. Parker White, COO and CIO of Nasdaq-listed DeFi Development Corp. (DFDV), noted that participants used yen-based funding to support bets on BTC and related assets, recycling capital across currencies in search of outsized gains. In the period in question, IBIT recorded about $10.7 billion in trading volume, roughly doubling typical activity, while approximately $900 million in options premium changed hands—an unusually energetic display given the broader price weakness. The price action across BTC and SOL in that session underscored how sensitive the market remains to funding-driven dynamics.

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As BTC momentum faltered and yen-funding costs rose, those leveraged bets began to sour quickly. Lenders demanded more cash, and asset liquidations accelerated, reinforcing the downturn. The episode has fed into a broader conversation about how banks and market makers hedge exposures tied to crypto products. In particular, the idea that banks—potentially including Morgan Stanley—might have needed to liquidate Bitcoin or related positions to manage structured-note exposure tied to spot BTC ETFs has gained traction among observers who see delta-hedging as a potential catalyst for negative gamma risk. When prices fall sharply, dealers must hedge by selling underlying BTC or futures, which can accelerate price declines in a feedback loop.

Source: X
Source: X

Beyond the banking-hedge narrative, some market observers have pointed to the mining sector’s evolving strategy as a factor shaping price dynamics. A school of thought argues that an ongoing mining exodus toward AI data-center capacity could reduce BTC hashing power at a pace that complicates mining economics during a prolonged bear phase. Judge Gibson emphasized this point in a recent post on X, noting that AI demand is already drawing equipment away from pure BTC mining toward data-center deployments. Riot Platforms (NASDAQ: RIOT) confirmed a broader pivot toward AI data-center infrastructure in December 2025, while IREN and other miners have reported similar strategic shifts. Hash-rate data, including the Hash Ribbons indicator, show a 30-day moving average slipping below the 60-day line, a setup historically associated with stress on miner margins and potential capitulation risk.

Current production-cost estimates place the breakeven edge for miners in the vicinity of BTC’s price level. The latest figures show the average electricity cost to mine a single BTC around $58,160, with net production expenditure near $72,700. If BTC’s price remains anchored below the $60,000 mark, some mining operations could face true financial strain, forcing balance-sheet adjustments or, in extreme cases, asset sales to cover operating costs. Meanwhile, the long-term holder cohort appears to be pruning exposure, with wallets containing 10 to 10,000 BTC representing a smaller share of circulating supply than in nine months past, a sign that large holders may be reducing positions amid heightened volatility.

BTC production and electrical cost comparison
BTC/USD daily chart vs. production and electrical cost. Source: Capriole Investments

The market remains in a fragile balance, where price levels and mining economics are inextricably linked to funding costs, energy prices, and macro risk appetite. As BTC navigates this terrain, the outcome will likely hinge on a combination of liquidity restoration, continued mining-capacity realignments, and the ability of institutional actors to manage risk without adding to volatility. If the price holds above critical thresholds, miners may regain some breathing room; if not, the financial stress could intensify across the ecosystem, with knock-on effects for crypto lending, derivatives, and the broader risk-on appetite that has defined the asset class in recent years.

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Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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What Crashed Bitcoin? 3 Theories Behind BTC’s 40% Price Dip in a Month

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What Crashed Bitcoin? 3 Theories Behind BTC’s 40% Price Dip in a Month

Bitcoin (BTC) experienced on of the biggest sell-offs over the past month, sliding more than 40% to reach a year-to-date low of $59,930 on Friday. It is now down over 50% from its October 2025 all-time high near $126,200.

Key takeaways:

  • Analysts are pointing to Hong Kong hedge funds and ETF-linked U.S. bank products as possible drivers of BTC’s crash.

  • Bitcoin could slip back below $60,000, putting the price closer to miners’ break-even levels.

BTC/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingView

Hong Kong hedge funds behind BTC dump?

One popular theory suggests that Bitcoin’s crash this past week may have originated in Asia, where some Hong Kong hedge funds were placing substantial, leveraged bets that BTC would continue to rise.

These funds used options linked to Bitcoin ETFs like BlackRock’s IBIT and paid for those bets by borrowing cheap Japanese yen, according to Parker White, COO and CIO of Nasdaq-listed DeFi Development Corp. (DFDV).

They swapped that yen into other currencies and invested in risky assets like crypto, hoping prices would rise.

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When Bitcoin stopped going up, and yen borrowing costs increased, those leveraged bets quickly went bad. Lenders then demanded more cash, forcing the funds to sell Bitcoin and other assets quickly, which exacerbated the price drop.

Morgan Stanley caused Bitcoin selloff: Arthur Hayes

Another theory gaining traction comes from former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes.

He suggested that banks, including Morgan Stanley, may have been forced to sell Bitcoin (or related assets) to hedge their exposure in structured notes tied to spot Bitcoin ETFs, such as BlackRock’s IBIT.

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Source: X

These are complex financial products where banks offer clients bets on Bitcoin’s price performance (often with principal protection or barriers).

When Bitcoin falls sharply, breaching key levels like around $78,700 in one noted Morgan Stanley product, dealers must delta-hedge by selling underlying BTC or futures.

This creates “negative gamma,” meaning that as prices drop further, hedging sales accelerate, turning banks from liquidity providers into forced sellers and exacerbating the downturn.

Miners shifting from Bitcoin to AI

Less prominent but circulating is the theory that a so-called “mining exodus” may have also fueled the Bitcoin downtrend.

In a Saturday post on X, analyst Judge Gibson said that the growing AI data center demand is already forcing Bitcoin miners to pivot, which has led to a 10-40% drop in hash rate.

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Source: X

For instance, in December 2025, Bitcoin miner Riot Platforms announced its shift toward a broader data center strategy, while selling $161 million worth of BTC. Last week, another miner, IREN, announced its pivot to AI data centers.

Related: Crypto’s stress test hits balance sheets as Bitcoin, Ether collapse

Meanwhile, the Hash Ribbons indicator also flashed a warning: the 30-day hash-rate average has slipped below the 60-day, a negative inversion that historically signals acute miner income stress and raises the risk of capitulation.

BTC Hash Riboon vs. price. Source: Glassnode

As of Saturday, the estimated average electricity cost to mine a single Bitcoin was around $58,160, while the net production expenditure was approximately $72,700.

BTC/USD daily chart vs. production and electrical cost. Source: Capriole Investments

If Bitcoin drops back below $60,000, miners could start to experience real financial stress.

Long-term holders are also looking more cautious.

Data shows wallets holding 10 to 10,000 BTC now control their smallest share of supply in nine months, suggesting this group has been trimming exposure rather than accumulating.

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