Vietnam proposes allowing digital assets, IP as collateral for SME loans
Quick Look
Vietnam's Ministry of Finance proposed allowing SMEs to use digital assets, virtual assets, and intellectual property as collateral for bank loans, aiming to boost credit access for startups and tech companies.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Vietnam's Ministry of Finance has proposed changes to the Law on Support for SMEs to allow digital assets, virtual assets, and intellectual property to be used as collateral for bank loans. This aims to address the imbalance where SMEs, despite forming over 98% of businesses, receive only 20% of total bank credit due to collateral limitations.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed letting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) use digital assets, virtual assets and intellectual property as collateral for bank loans.
The proposal is part of a draft revised Law on Support for SMEs, which is open for public consultation, according to a Friday report by Vietnam News. Under the framework, businesses could secure loans using future-formed assets, property rights, intangible assets and digital or virtual assets.
SMEs and household businesses account for more than 98% of all enterprises in Vietnam, yet outstanding loans to the segment represent only around 20% of total bank credit in the economy, per the report. The Ministry attributed the imbalance to a lack of eligible collateral, limited financial transparency and the small capital base of most SMEs.
Many startups and technology-driven companies hold valuable software, patents or intellectual property but have no land or physical assets to pledge, the report claimed. The new proposal marks a policy shift that could open up credit access for thousands of startups and tech companies currently locked out of the formal lending system.
Related: Bithumb enters Vietnam crypto license race with SSI Digital deal
Vietnam wants banks to lend on business plans
The draft also pushes credit institutions to expand lending based on credit ratings, business plans, cash flows and market potential, rather than fixed assets alone.
Beyond collateral reform, the draft law outlines incentives for green and sustainable businesses, including preferential access to credit guarantees, concessional financing and interest-rate support for circular economy and energy-saving projects. Tax incentives and support for environmental, social and governance compliance reporting are also included.
The draft is currently open for public consultation.
Vietnam has become one of the most active crypto markets in the world, ranking fourth in Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index behind India, the United States and Pakistan.
Global cryptocurrency adoption index. Source: Chainalysis
Related: Vietnam arrests ONUS-linked suspects in alleged crypto fraud case
Vietnam eyes Q3 launch of regulated crypto market
As Cointelegraph reported, Vietnam could see its first regulated crypto market activity as early as the third quarter of 2026, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi said at the Digital Trust in Finance 2026 forum.
In March, regulators opened a licensing pathway for domestic crypto trading platforms, with five companies, including affiliates of Techcombank, VPBank and LPBank, having already passed an initial qualification round to launch the country’s first regulated exchange.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Vietnam will launch its first regulated crypto market.
Very likely · Within months
Increased credit availability for Vietnamese SMEs.
Likely · Medium term
Open Questions
- What specific types of digital and virtual assets will be accepted?
- What are the valuation mechanisms for IP and digital assets?
- What are the regulatory safeguards against fraud and misuse?
- What is the timeline for public consultation and potential law enactment?
