OKX to join Vietnam’s pilot program for regulated crypto asset trading

OKX, a leading global Web3 technology company and crypto exchange, on Friday announced its strategic investment in Vietnam Prosperity Crypto Asset Exchange JSC (CAEX), a move that will help the company join Vietnam’s pilot program for regulated crypto asset trading.

The firrm joins CAEX as a strategic partner alongside founding Vietnamese shareholders VPBankS and LynkiD, with HashKey Capital also investing.

"We will contribute capital in April alongside other shareholders to help CAEX meet the minimum VND10 trillion (approximately $380 million) requirement to participate in Vietnam’s government pilot program for regulated crypto asset trading," OKX founder and CEO Star Xu wrote in a release.

"CAEX now combines strong local expertise with global capabilities. Together with the existing partners, we aim to support its development across infrastructure, compliance, security, risk management, and liquidity, helping it scale responsibly within Vietnam’s evolving regulatory framework," he added.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) recently shortlisted five digital asset exchange applicants for pilot licensing, after determining that five out of seven submissions meet regulatory requirements while two remain incomplete.

The five eligible include VIX Digital Asset Exchange JSC (VIXEX), Loc Phat Vietnam Crypto Asset Exchange JSC (LPEX), Vietnam Prosperity Crypto Asset Exchange JSC (CAEX) - the company OKX joins, Techcom Digital Asset Exchange JSC (TCEX), and Vietnam Digital Assets JSC, the ministry said in its official document.

Vietnam’s crypto market is now transitioning from early adoption to formal recognition under the law. From January 1, 2026, the Law on Digital Technology Industry 2025 officially takes effect, marking the first time digital assets are recognized as legal property in the country.

More significantly, a wave of domestic firms is preparing to join the pilot program for local digital asset exchanges under the Government's Resolution 05/2025/NQ-CP, with at least five companies reportedly meeting application requirements.

The market is becoming increasingly competitive, with domestic platforms enjoying advantages such as direct integration with the banking system, user identification linked to national databases, and clearer legal mechanisms for dispute resolution.

According to To Tran Hoa, deputy head of the crypto market management board, under the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, Vietnamese regulators will block unlicensed offshore cryptocurrency platforms and require all domestic investors to trade through locally licensed exchanges, in a sweeping move to formalize oversight of the fast-growing digital asset market,

Speaking at a policy forum on crypto exchange pilot on March 25, Hoa said the creation of a legal framework is no longer optional but necessary to comply with global anti-money laundering standards.

“Once the first licensed domestic exchange becomes operational, all transactions by Vietnamese investors must be conducted on that platform,” Hoa said. “Unpermitted platforms will not be allowed to provide services in Vietnam under Resolution 05, which governs the pilot implementation of the digital asset market,” he added.

The proposed regime would mark a significant shift in Vietnam’s approach to digital assets, where trading has largely taken place on offshore platforms.

An estimated 17 million Vietnamese already trade cryptocurrencies, with an annual digital asset transaction volume estimated at over $100 billion, according to VinaCapital. Transactions take place on offshore exchanges such as Binance, Bybit, and others, in Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

OKX founder and CEO Star Xu said as the company looks ahead to 2030, they expect most Southeast Asian markets to establish clear regulatory frameworks and licensing pathways for digital asset companies. "This region is already one of the most important sources of global crypto liquidity".

"The next phase is about bringing that activity into trusted, regulated environments. We believe the future of crypto will be built on regulated, local platforms that users can trust and CAEX represents that future in Vietnam.

"As Southeast Asia’s digital asset ecosystem evolves, OKX Ventures remains focused on backing the infrastructure that will define it - platforms that are not only innovative, but compliant, resilient, and built to serve millions," he added.

Over the past several years, OKX has made regulatory engagement a core part of its global strategy. The company has secured and pursued licenses across major jurisdictions, from registration as a Money Services Business in the United States to operating licensed entities in Europe, where frameworks like MiCA are enabling compliant, cross-border crypto services.

In 2026, OKX further strengthened this foundation by obtaining a Payment Institution license in Malta, allowing it to deliver regulated crypto payment services across the European Union under MiCA and PSD2 frameworks.

Across markets like Singapore and Dubai, the company has also worked closely with regulators to secure approvals and build localized, compliant platforms, and reinforcing a consistent approach: long-term growth comes from aligning with regulatory clarity, not avoiding it.

OKX has invested heavily in AML, KYC, and risk systems, strengthened internal controls, and adapted to evolving regulatory expectations.