Held on March 12, 2026 at the Melia Hanoi Hotel, the program gathered representatives from regulatory agencies, financial institutions, fintech companies, and digital asset businesses. The training focused on identifying risks related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and legal violations that may arise in the provision of digital asset services.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son - VNBA Training Center Director
Growing risks from cryptocurrencies
Experts note that digital assets possess characteristics such as cross-border transactions, high anonymity, and rapid transfer speeds, making financial flows difficult to trace. These features can be exploited for money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes if not properly regulated.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Tho - Deputy Director of the Anti-Money Laundering Department, State Bank of Vietnam
Studies indicate that criminals increasingly use cryptocurrencies to obscure illicit funds through peer-to-peer transfers, anonymous wallets, and mixing services. Vietnam is considered one of the most active digital asset markets in the region, while its regulatory framework is still evolving.
Industry discussions have also warned that money laundering via crypto assets is becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect.
Furthermore, risk assessments highlight that several non-bank sectors and emerging services — including virtual assets — are not yet fully covered under AML reporting obligations, creating regulatory gaps.
Training as a key step toward market standardization
The training program represents a practical step to enhance compliance capacity among digital asset service providers and prepare for the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework in Vietnam.
Participants were equipped with knowledge on:
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International AML standards for virtual assets
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Customer due diligence (KYC) and risk assessment
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Monitoring and reporting suspicious transactions
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Cooperation with authorities in financial investigations
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International best practices
The event also fostered closer connections between traditional banking institutions and the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem.
Akbar Akhtar, Head of Asia Pacific Research, Binance
Toward a safer financial system in the digital era
Experts emphasize that effectively mitigating AML risks in digital assets requires a comprehensive approach, including legal reforms, stronger supervision, international cooperation, and specialized training.
Panel discussion
Vietnam’s revised AML law provides an important foundation, but extending regulatory oversight to digital asset service providers remains a pressing priority.
The VNBA-led training initiative demonstrates the proactive stance of Vietnam’s financial sector in adapting to technological innovation while ensuring that the national financial system remains secure, transparent, and aligned with international standards.
VNBA News
