Vietnam Plans to Allow Cryptocurrency, Virtual Assets, Intellectual Property, and Future Assets as Loan Collateral
The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance is drafting a revision to the SME Support Law, proposing to allow cryptocurrency, virtual assets, intellectual property, and future assets to be used as loan collateral.
This move aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which constitute the majority of businesses in Vietnam but face difficulties in accessing credit, to overcome traditional real estate collateral restrictions. Banks will also assess cash flow and business plans.
In terms of market mechanisms, emerging markets in Southeast Asia are accelerating the financialization of digital assets, with funds shifting from traditional mortgage loans to innovative asset-backed lending. Vietnam's local blockchain and SME startups will benefit from expanded financing channels, while conservative banks are pressured to upgrade their asset assessment systems.
Source: Public Information
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Vietnam previously officially recognized cryptocurrency as digital property through legislation in 2025 and initiated a pilot for the virtual asset market. This expansion of collateral options continues its shift from cautious regulation to actively embracing blockchain, similar to Singapore and the UAE's strategies of attracting regional capital through friendly digital asset policies.
In terms of capital pathways, the Vietnamese government is concentrating policy resources on broadening financing tools for SMEs, motivated by the need to address credit gaps caused by traditional banks' preference for real estate collateral. By assessing cash flow, risks are reduced, while guiding bank funds towards high-growth tech and blockchain startups.
Similar cases include India allowing certain digital assets as collateral and Thailand's early crypto-friendly regulations driving local fintech growth. Currently, Vietnam is transitioning from pilot blockchain initiatives to mainstream financial infrastructure.
Essentially, this represents a regulatory change: the financial system in emerging markets is shifting from real estate-centered collateral to diversified support for digital assets and intellectual property. The mechanism involves changes in the asset structure of SMEs and the maturity of blockchain technology, prompting policies to redistribute credit resources, thereby enhancing the efficiency of capital flow to innovative enterprises and strengthening regional financial competitiveness.
ABAB News · Cognitive Law
The more diverse the collateral, the more inclusive the financing.
Regulation loosens first, capital follows; innovation leads, growth lags.
Excellent policies sell channels, traditional policies sell thresholds.