On 8 February 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center (HCMC-IFC) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the FPT-VinaCapital-Viet Thai investment consortium, together with a global on-chain economic consortium to research, develop, and operate the HCMC Digital Asset Fund. The Fund is envisioned as a market-creating capital vehicle within the framework of HCMC-IFC, aimed at fostering a regional-scale on-chain hub by mobilizing and deploying capital in multiple phases, with a long-term target size of 1 billion USD.

            Beyond capital investment, the Fund is designed to contribute to the development of core digital financial infrastructure and broader ecosystem. Priority areas include a cryptocurrencies exchange, real-time blockchain-based payment systems, and bank-integrated e-wallet solutions. In parallel, supervisory and monitoring tools (RegTech and SupTech) will be developed to ensure transparency, regulatory compliance, and legal integrity.

            Regarding foreign investor participation, all receipts and disbursements related to the purchase and sale of digital assets in Vietnam must be conducted through a dedicated VND-denominated payment account opened at a licensed bank or foreign bank branch authorized to provide foreign exchange services in Vietnam. Transfer orders must clearly specify the purpose of payment to enable authorized banks to verify, reconcile, and retain documentation, thereby ensuring that foreign exchange transactions are conducted in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

            BIC Ho Chi Minh City is of the view that the establishment of the HCMC Digital Asset Fund will open up opportunities for HCMC-IFC in the global race that sees many countries, including Singapore and United Arab Emirates scrambling to attract this new trend of capital. This has implications for Thailand both as one of the aspiring international financial centers and a potential investor.

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References: 1. VN Express, 10 February 2026

https://vnexpress.net/tp-hcm-muon-lap-quy-dau-tu-tai-san-so-ty-usd-5039484.html

                       2. VnEconomy, 9 February 2026

https://vneconomy.vn/quy-dau-tu-tai-san-so-tpho-chi-minh-dat-muc-tieu-huy-dong-1-ty-usd.htm