Cryptocurrency exchange OKX seeks foothold in Vietnam’s tech-finance space

Hong Fang, president of OKX, a leading global Web3 technology company and crypto exchange, said the company wishes to become part of Vietnam’s tech-finance ecosystem.

At a meeting with visiting standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh in San Francisco on March 27 (local time), Fang said Vietnam is a dynamic market with a young population and strong technological capabilities. The country is especially known for its pool of engineers, tech talent, and spirit of innovation.

She praised the Vietnamese government’s role in policy dialogue and its openness to international best practices.

Fang suggested OKX’s further engagement in policy discussions in Vietnam and sharing cross-border experience in developing sandbox frameworks for digital assets and sustainable digital currency infrastructure.

She also expressed a desire to expand cooperation and tap Vietnam’s high-quality tech talent, committing to supporting the country's in developing its International Financial Center (VIFC) into a safe and transparent destination for capital flows with international compliance standards.

The same day, Binh met with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who described Vietnam as an important partner of California.

The State Treasurer shared experience in overseeing large pension funds and issuing municipal bonds, offering insights into how Vietnam could diversify its mobilization of green capital.

She proposed stepping up trade and economic ties, business connectivity, and cooperation in education, infrastructure and green energy, as well as people-to-people exchanges.

In technology, tourism and hospitality, and high-value agriculture, the California official suggested the establishment of agro-tourism models and application of AI in governance.

In response, Binh affirmed that Vietnam always welcomes and stands ready to create favorable conditions for investors from California to advance and implement investment projects in areas where the state has strengths and Vietnam has demand.

Meeting with the Vietnamese Deputy PM, Beau Perry, founder and CEO of California-based Blue Evolution, said the company’s core activities focus on regenerative agriculture, aquaculture and sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on seaweed, biotechnology and seaweed-based chemicals.

Amid mounting challenges facing global agriculture from climate change and the need to shift toward more sustainable models, Blue Evolution signaled interest in partnering with Vietnam to advance sustainable agriculture, particularly in developing the seaweed value chain.

Binh welcomed the cooperation initiatives as well as the interest of OKX and Blue Evolution in investing in Vietnam, affirming that these are areas where the country has strong demand and is keen to attract businesses, including investment in the VIFC.

Vietnam is developing an international financial center located in both Ho Chi Minh City and the central city of Danang.

The HCMC hub was launched on February 11, while the Danang branch debuted on January 9.