Vietnam is leveraging crypto regulation to meet FATF standards, combat digital asset fraud and rebuild its international financial reputation. On June 14, 2025, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved the Law on Digital Technology Industry, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Vietnam’s crypto regulation is part of a broader effort to meet FATF standards after being gray-listed in 2023 due to AML/CFT deficiencies. The law distinguishes between crypto assets (e.g., Bitcoin, Ether) and virtual assets (non-financial digital items), excluding CBDCs and securities. Read more
The FATF is shaping global crypto rules from behind the scenes, with stablecoins and DeFi next in line for scrutiny. Cryptocurrency regulations are increasingly aligning with global standards; 73% of eligible jurisdictions have now passed laws to implement the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Travel Rule. The Travel Rule mandates crypto service providers to collect and share users’ transaction data, similar to traditional finance requirements. On June 26, the FATF released its annual report that outlines how recent regulatory moves by jurisdictions are converging with its global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework. This is a direct result of a years-long campaign by the FATF to bring cryptocurrencies in line with traditional AML and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CFT) standards. Read more
Applying advanced tools for tracking illicit stablecoin transactions is necessary; still, it is not enough to mitigate the risks of mass adoption. A recent warning from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) about the rise of stablecoin-related crimes does not pose a threat to the cryptocurrency industry, according to executives at blockchain intelligence firms. The FATF’s call to address rising illicit stablecoin activity reflects a need for close monitoring and analysis rather than an effort to curb their growth, according to executives at Chainalysis and Asset Reality. The global financial crime watchdog sounded the alarm on stablecoins Thursday, asking regulators to focus on mitigating the risks of their potential mass adoption. Read more