Elevating security standards for online banking services in Vietnam
On October 31, 2024, the State Bank of Vietnam issued Circular No. 50/2024/TT-NHNN, establishing regulations on security and confidentiality for online banking services -marking a strategic step in building a robust legal foundation for Vietnam’s digital banking ecosystem. As digital banking services rapidly expand and cyberattacks and data breaches become increasingly common, the banking sector must continuously enhance safety, security, and transparency in all electronic transactions. Circular 50 replaces Circular 35/2016/TT-NHNN and meets the growing demand for higher security amid Vietnam’s strong digital transformation efforts. Effective from January 1, 2025, Circular 50/2024/TT-NHNN applies to credit institutions, foreign bank branches, intermediary payment service providers, and credit information companies. All online banking services must comply with stringent security standards to ensure safety for both banks and their customers. The Circular clearly outlines principles and technical requirements in the design, implementation, and operation of online service systems. Key highlights include: The tightened security standards under Circular 50/2024/TT-NHNN are not merely a legal compliance obligation, but a strategic advantage for banks in the digital age – building greater trust in online services. For credit institutions, the Circular provides strong motivation to invest in IT infrastructure, standardize operational processes, and gradually align with international standards such as PCI-DSS and ISO/IEC 27001- laying the groundwork for deeper integration into the global Open Banking movement. For customers, the Circular enhances trust in digital services and reduces risks associated with online transactions. At present, with the enforcement of Circulars 64 and 50, credit institutions are required to upgrade their systems to ensure stronger security at every level of service. In the long run, compliance with Circular 50 – along with adherence to international standards like PCI-DSS and ISO/IEC 27001, and alignment with strong customer authentication (SCA) requirements under PSD2/PSD3 in the EU—will help elevate Vietnam’s banking sector to global standards, promoting innovation and fostering fair competition.
Savyint & Kryptus: Collaboration to build open banking security standards
Open Banking is experiencing remarkable development in many countries. To ensure that open banking operates effectively and securely, it is particularly important to establish and adhere to a system of technical standards. With their expertise, Savyint and partner Kryptus have collaborated to develop a specific security standard system for each component in open banking. The API Gateway plays a crucial role in securing APIs by providing authentication, authorization, access control, and traffic limiting mechanisms. For the API Gateway, we ensure compliance with European and global regulations such as PSD2/PSD3, FAPI 2.0, CIBA, OIDC/OAuth2, and API Security. Meanwhile, Consent Management utilizes the Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) method as stipulated in PSD2, as well as security standards for key storage on HSM devices that meet FIPS 140-2 Level 3 or higher. The data exchange flows, data signing in transaction flows, or user data sharing are encrypted with the highest security level, ensuring integrity and safe authentication with JWS (JSON Web Signature) and JWT (JSON Web Token). End-to-end data encryption is also strictly adhered to with JWE (JSON Web Encryption) and RSA-PSS (Probabilistic Signature Scheme). In Vietnam, with the specific regulations for implementing open banking officially in effect, the standards set by Savyint and Kryptus fully comply with the regulations on Open API, API Security (according to Appendices 1 and 2 of Circular No. 64/2024/TT-NHNN), as well as regulations on transaction encryption, digital signing, and user authentication (according to Circular No. 50/2024/TT-NHNN). This is a promising market for the development of open banking in the near future. “We are proud to contribute our expertise in building a secure and regulation-aligned open banking ecosystem in collaboration with Savyint,” said Thierry Martin, Kryptus Managing Partner. “Kryptus has already achieved FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and the Common Criteria EAL4+ certification for HSM, strengthening our compliance across various global environments, as the fintech and banking sectors require enhanced key protection. Our joint solutions not only fully comply with European and international standards such as PSD2 and FAPI, but also with Vietnam’s specific regulatory frameworks, including Circulars 64/2024 and 50/2024. This partnership reflects our long-term commitment to helping financial institutions meet compliance obligations while accelerating digital transformation. We believe this collaboration will pave the way for broader regional adoption and global expansion of secure open banking models.” The swift, solid and well-directed steps taken by the two companies in providing a secure and safe open banking solution will be an advantage for Savyint and Kryptus to conquer markets in the region and globally. About Savyint SAVYINT is an IT security company in Sydney, Australia, with an R&D Center in Hanoi and international offices in Singapore, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Sofia (Bulgaria). With over 20 years of experience, we consistently rank among the leading global information technology enterprises, providing software platforms, system solutions, and services for digital transformation. Our expertise spans Open Banking solutions, information security, and FinTech, particularly in the Finance – Banking & FSI, Government, Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Education, and Media sectors. About Kryptus Kryptus is a Swiss and Brazilian multinational company specializing in cybersecurity and cryptography solutions. Since 2003 it has been delivering highly customizable, reliable and secure encryption and cybersecurity solutions. For over twenty years, we have served public and private sector clients in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa for critical applications, with the best level of products and services for mission-critical applications.
Open Banking takes flight in Vietnam
On December 31, 2024, the State Bank of Vietnam officially issued Circular No. 64/2024/TT-NHNN, setting the regulatory foundation for Open Banking through the implementation of Open Application Programming Interfaces (Open API) within the banking sector – a key driver of digital finance innovation globally. Open Banking is a new financial ecosystem in which banks and financial institutions allow third parties (fintech companies, financial service providers, etc.) to access customer data, with customer consent, to develop new services such as personal financial management, integrated payments, etc., through Open Application Programming Interfaces (Open APIs). Amid the rapid global development of Open Banking, in Vietnam, the State Bank of Vietnam issued Circular 64, effective from March 1, 2025, which is considered a legal tool paving the way for establishing a controlled, secure, and transparent data-sharing infrastructure, fostering innovation in the financial and banking sector. Key highlights in Circular 64: Accordingly, the Bank must comply with API security technical standards as stipulated in Annex 01 and Annex 02 issued with Circular 64/2024: These regulations have a profound impact on the development of Open Banking in Vietnam. Most crucially, they establish a clear and consistent legal framework for the secure and controlled connection, sharing, and processing of customer data, thereby laying the foundation for building innovative, personalized financial products and services. This enables the realization of comprehensive digital banking goals by allowing third parties to access user data with user consent. This is the key factor in forming an expansive, flexible, and customer-centric open banking ecosystem. Simultaneously, these regulations create significant opportunities for the Fintech community to engage more deeply in the financial ecosystem, enhancing the provision of new and innovative services. In the initial phase, financial institutions may face challenges in adapting. However, the issuance of Circular 64 fundamentally provides a robust legal foundation, serving as a springboard for building a modern Open Banking ecosystem in Vietnam, where data is leveraged and managed rigorously, with users at the center of all financial services.
Open API: Ushering in the era of Open Banking
Open API plays a pivotal role in the digital transformation of the financial and banking sectors. It drives innovation in traditional banking, promising secure, efficient financial transactions that meet every customer need. 1. Open Banking and Open API market could exceed $200 billion by 2033 Open banking represents the evolution of a new financial ecosystem based on connections between banks, financial institutions and third-party service providers, supported by APIs. Through this ecosystem, banks can offer customers superior and more flexible services, while enabling better personal financial management and decision-making. Although still relatively new, banks and financial institutions are actively engaging in the open banking ecosystem. According to reports and forecasts from Market.us, the global open banking market is expected to grow steadily over the years, reaching $203.8 billion by 2033. On January 13, 2018, the European Union’s Payment Services Directive (PSD2) came into effect, requiring banks to grant third parties access to customer accounts via available APIs, provided customers give consent. By using APIs, third parties can access banking data, enabling trusted banks and service providers to serve customers more effectively. Since the advent of PSD2, the payments sector has undergone a true technological revolution, notably with the rise of open banking and open APIs. These developments have fueled banks’ efforts to innovate and transition from traditional to new business models. Open banking and open APIs offer banks opportunities to create new services, personalize offerings, and enhance customer experiences. Read more: Open API – The key to promoting open banking 2. Benefits of applying Open API in Open Banking 3. Challenges of applying Open API in Open Banking Despite the benefits, applying Open API in open banking comes with challenges. Overcoming these is crucial to ensure the sustainability and security of open banking initiatives based on Open API. While Open API offers immense potential for the open banking ecosystem, participants must address technical, security, governance, and collaboration challenges to fully unlock its benefits. 4. Open API application in Savyint Open Banking: Comprehensive Open Banking Solution 4.1. Savyint partners with global leaders in providing Open API and Open Banking solutions On the journey to conquer the era of open banking, Savyint has been collaborating with international giants in Open API and Open Banking to deliver advanced, secure solutions tailored to the specific requirements of each market. Notable partners include Brankas, SaltGroup, Konsentus, Curity, Axway, TykIO, and others. Brankas is currently one of the world’s leading Open Banking solution providers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. With an extensive network of connections to banks and financial institutions across Southeast Asia, Brankas focuses on payment solutions and API-based connectivity for financial products. Savyint and Brankas work closely to provide solutions related to Open API, user authentication and consent management in compliance with international standards, and to develop a Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform that helps build and expand the Open Banking ecosystem in the region. Salt Group is recognized as a trusted security solutions provider for banks, financial institutions, and government agencies in Australia and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Savyint partners with SaltGroup to enhance the security and trustworthiness of its Open Banking ecosystem. Leveraging SaltGroup’s strengths in strong authentication, fraud prevention, and digital identity management, the collaboration focuses on strengthening the security of open financial transactions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting customer data in the digital banking environment. Savyint has joined forces with Konsentus — a global brand in open banking consultancy and infrastructure — to co-develop operational principles, service models, and regulatory frameworks for open banking in Vietnam. Through working sessions, both parties will jointly build a set of principles to guide the operation of Vietnam’s open banking ecosystem, establish operational processes for technology deployment, and develop technical specification documents. Curity is a leading provider of API-driven identity management solutions, delivering comprehensive security for digital services. Curity’s strength lies in its advanced CIAM solutions with multi-factor authentication (passkeys, digital wallets), SSO, adaptive authentication, and FAPI 2.0 protection, helping to enhance user experience and ensure data security in open financial transactions. By integrating Curity’s pioneering technologies, Savyint is gradually modernizing the banking sector, strengthening security, and improving the user experience. Axway and TykIO are long-established global technology companies specializing in API integration and management solutions. Partnering with Axway and TykIO provides Savyint with the opportunity to build a comprehensive API management and integration system within the open banking ecosystem, rapidly deploy infrastructure, and ensure security, safety, and strict compliance with both domestic and international standards and regulations. With innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, Savyint is committed to offering the most advanced technologies and optimal user experiences. 4.2. About Savyint Open Banking Solution The Savyint Open Banking Platform is a specialized solution designed by Savyint for the financial and banking sector, meeting legal and technological requirements to connect and build a digital financial ecosystem. The solution focuses on enhancing and optimizing APIs through SAVYINT Open Banking API — ensuring seamless connection with all systems and providing standardized, ready-to-use APIs — and SAVYINT API Management — supporting the development, analysis, operation, and expansion of APIs. At the same time, SAVYINT Open Banking also emphasizes portals, consent management, user identity, and data security through the synergy of solutions such as: With solid technological infrastructure and operational expertise, Savyint delivers advanced technology and the best user experience to customers. Connect with Savyint experts now to gain a leading edge in open banking.
[Stablecoins Report] The Development of CBDCs Worldwide and in Vietnam – Part 4
Amid the rapid development of stablecoins and cryptocurrencies, many countries have begun researching, piloting, or deploying Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) to maintain the central bank’s dominant role in the monetary system. About CBDCs – Central Bank-Issued Digital Currency Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), often referred to as the digital money of the central bank, is a new form of central bank-issued legal tender in digital form. CBDCs use national units of account and are backed by central bank reserves. They are officially recognized and legitimized by central banks. CBDCs are introduced with the following objectives: Depending on their economic, technological, and financial conditions and strategies, countries have adopted different CBDC deployment models. The three main models are: Global CBDC Deployment According to the latest 2024 data from the Atlantic Council, 134 countries—representing 98% of global GDP—are exploring CBDC issuance, a fourfold increase from just 35 countries in May 2020. Among them, 66 countries have entered the development, pilot, or launch phases. Additionally, a BIS survey of 25 developed economies and 56 emerging/developing economies (covering 76% of the world’s population and 94% of global GDP) shows that over 90% of central banks are researching CBDCs, 62% have begun technical trials, and 26% are conducting pilot programs. Below are some notable countries that have piloted or implemented CBDCs: Bahamas Bahamas was the first country to officially launch a CBDC, the Sand Dollar, in October 2020, following pilots in the Exuma and Abaco islands in 2019. The Sand Dollar aims to improve financial inclusion, especially in remote areas where traditional banking services are inaccessible. The system uses Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) developed by NZIA, a DLT and blockchain solution provider based in the Bahamas. It includes features like offline payments and transaction limits for lower-tier accounts to enhance security. After a hurricane in 2019, the Sand Dollar was deployed in Abaco to support economic recovery, highlighting the role of CBDCs in financial stability during crises. However, its adoption faces challenges due to uneven technological infrastructure and limited public acceptance. Nigeria Nigeria was the first African country to launch a CBDC, the eNaira, in October 2021. Although it aims to enhance financial inclusion and reduce transaction costs, eNaira adoption has been low—according to the IMF, by 2023, 98.5% of eNaira wallets had never been used. Key barriers include weak infrastructure, lack of public trust, limited product understanding, and competition from cash, mobile wallets, and cryptocurrencies. Despite this, the circulation of eNaira grew from 2.55 billion to 12.53 billion naira (around USD 8 million) by early 2024. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started partnering with tech firms like Gluwa to improve infrastructure and plans to reassess its rollout strategy in 2025 to boost practical use. China China leads one of the largest-scale CBDC deployments with the e-CNY (digital yuan). Since 2020, e-CNY has been piloted in over 20 major cities and integrated into popular apps like WeChat and Alipay. A standout feature is offline payments, allowing transactions without internet access—crucial in remote areas. China uses a hybrid technological architecture, applying DLT only where beneficial. The country is also testing cross-border CBDC payments via the mBridge project with Thailand, the UAE, and Hong Kong. e-CNY is now accepted in retail stores and used for salaries and government benefits. However, as of May 2024, its cumulative transaction volume reached USD 910 billion—still modest compared to China’s total payment market of USD 40.3 trillion. Public concerns about surveillance have slowed widespread adoption, highlighting the need for privacy protections when implementing CBDCs. India The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) began piloting its retail digital rupee in four cities in late 2022. As of now, the rCBDC program has about 5 million users and has integrated standard QR codes for interoperability with other payment methods. Efforts are underway to introduce key features, including trials for usage in rural and remote areas. CBDCs are seen as tools for instant payments, reduced cash printing costs, and improved cash flow transparency and management. However, concerns remain over privacy, cybersecurity, and the impact on commercial banking systems. CBDC in Vietnam Vietnam has not issued a CBDC yet but has shown clear strategic interest. Since 2017, the Vietnamese government has introduced measures to manage the growing use of digital currencies through various regulations on digital assets, virtual currencies, and digital money. This effort has continued to evolve. In 2021, Decision No. 942/QĐ-TTg by the Prime Minister approved the strategy for developing e-government toward digital government, assigning the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to research and pilot CBDC from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, Resolution No. 50/NQ-CP emphasized the development of fintech, including blockchain and digital currency applications. SBV has formed dedicated research teams and collaborated with international organizations to explore suitable CBDC models. At the 5th Annual Meeting of the 7th Term of the Vietnam Banks Association on March 27, 2025, SBV Deputy Governor Pham Tien Dung announced Vietnam’s upcoming pilot of a digital asset trading platform. He emphasized the banking sector’s key role in protecting consumers, settling transactions, and ensuring the stability of stablecoin values. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has submitted a draft resolution on piloting digital asset issuance and trading to the government. The plan includes coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and SBV to both foster market development and mitigate risks to financial security and monetary stability. According to Decree 94/2025/NĐ-CP on the regulatory sandbox for the banking sector, from July 1, 2025, the government will allow testing of new fintech-based financial products and services, including credit scoring, Open API data sharing, and peer-to-peer lending. These trial results will help regulators finalize a legal framework for fintech in Vietnam. This is a promising sign, paving the way for financial technology and digital currency development. CBDCs are an inevitable step in the global trend toward monetary digitalization. As seen in the case studies, there is no one-size-fits-all model for CBDCs. Each country must tailor its approach based on its specific economic and monetary conditions. While Vietnam has not yet issued a CBDC,
[Stablecoins Report] Risks, Challenges and Legal Framework of Stablecoins in Vietnam and Worldwide – Part 3
Stablecoins have emerged to reshape the way people transact, ushering in an era of digital finance that is fast and flexible. Alongside these benefits come risks and challenges that individuals and institutions alike must navigate—prompting countries around the world to quickly establish and refine legal frameworks to manage and develop this domain. Risks and Challenges of Stablecoins Despite their advantages, stablecoins carry significant risks and challenges for both users and the broader financial system. De-pegging and depreciation risks Although designed to maintain stability, stablecoins can lose their peg to reference values under certain conditions. This could be due to user panic and mass sell-offs, falling value of reserve assets (for crypto-backed types), or failure of operational algorithms (for algorithmic types). A notable example is the collapse of TerraUSD (UST) in May 2022. UST, an algorithmic stablecoin pegged to the USD via a mint/burn mechanism using the LUNA token, once reached a market cap of $18 billion. When confidence wavered, UST quickly lost its peg and crashed to nearly zero—causing tens of billions of dollars in investor losses. The “death spiral” not only destroyed UST/LUNA but also triggered a domino effect that led to the collapse of related funds and projects. Other stablecoins have also experienced de-pegging: Iron Finance’s IRON lost its value in 2021, USDT has temporarily dropped to $0.95 during market panic, and USDC fell to ~$0.88 in March 2023 due to reserve concerns before recovering. These incidents show that stablecoins are not “absolutely stable”—if reserve mechanisms are weak or unexpected events occur, stablecoins may crash in value, potentially resulting in total losses for investors. Risks in transparency and reserve assets For centralized (fiat-backed) stablecoins, trust in the issuer and reserves is paramount. A lack of transparency or failure to prove adequate reserves raises doubts. Tether (USDT) exemplifies this. For years, Tether faced criticism for not publishing independent audits, leading to concerns that USDT might not be fully backed by USD. Though Tether has since improved transparency (quarterly reserve reports) and claimed to hold ~$72.5 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds (as of Q2 2023), skepticism persists until a full audit is released. The quality of reserve assets is another issue: if reserves are invested in high-risk instruments (e.g., long-term bonds, low-quality commercial paper), market volatility can devalue reserves, threatening 1:1 redemption. Even reputable stablecoins like USDC were affected when ~$3.3 billion in reserves held at Silicon Valley Bank were frozen during its collapse—causing USDC to temporarily de-peg to ~$0.9. These cases highlight the necessity of high-quality, liquid reserves (cash or T-bills) to prevent systemic risk. As one expert said: “To avoid systemic risk, stablecoin reserves must be extremely safe and liquid.” Major events related to Stablecoins (2022–2023): Overall, the stablecoin market has undergone a “trust test”—well-reserved and transparent projects (like USDC) remained resilient, while weak or opaque ones were eliminated. Risks to the traditional financial system The rapid growth of stablecoins has raised concerns among regulators about systemic impacts. Large stablecoins like USDT and USDC hold massive reserves—Tether’s ~$72B in U.S. Treasuries is equivalent to a mid-sized bank or a major money market fund. A sudden stablecoin redemption wave (bank-run scenario) could force issuers to liquidate reserves, impacting money markets and traditional banking. Experts liken this to a looming “bank-run ghost” in crypto—without control, a widespread redemption event could destabilize both crypto and broader financial markets. Moreover, as private money issued outside central banks, stablecoins could divert deposits from commercial banks, weakening monetary policy tools and reducing banks’ lending capacity. A New York Fed report compares stablecoins to money market funds (MMFs): both aim to maintain a $1 value, but while MMFs are tightly regulated, stablecoins are not—posing potentially higher risks. There’s also concern that stablecoins may circumvent capital controls and AML/CFT regulations, allowing “hot money” to flow across borders unchecked. These concerns explain why regulators are on high alert and are pushing for stronger supervision frameworks to prevent systemic risks. In short, stablecoins are not risk-free. Users must understand each stablecoin’s mechanisms and credibility. Regulators must balance risk control (reserves, transparency, crime prevention) with innovation, as stablecoins can also benefit digital finance if properly managed. Legal landscape for Stablecoins in various countries Stablecoins straddle the line between currency and digital assets, prompting governments to explore legal frameworks. While approaches differ by country, the trend is toward increased oversight, ensuring reserves and reducing systemic risks. United States The U.S. has no unified federal law for stablecoins, resulting in fragmented regulation. The SEC considers some stablecoins securities, while the CFTC focuses on commodity-linked stablecoins (e.g., gold-backed). In 2021, the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets recommended regulating stablecoins like bank deposits. By 2023, draft federal legislation emerged (from the House Financial Services Committee) to set reserve and oversight requirements, but has not passed yet. Meanwhile, some states have acted: European Union (EU) The EU is a pioneer in digital asset regulation via the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) framework, adopted in 2023 and effective from 2024. MiCA categorizes stablecoins as: Requirements include: Oversight is shared between national regulators, ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority), and the ECB for large stablecoins. MiCA limits the scale of non-euro stablecoins—if daily transactions exceed €200 million, usage may be restricted, preventing dominance by USD-backed coins. The EU aims to stabilize the stablecoin market and protect the euro. Major issuers like Circle are preparing to register under MiCA to continue operations in Europe. Singapore Singapore adopts a proactive, conditional approach to stablecoins. In 2022, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) stated that digital asset innovation is welcome—but not crypto speculation. Stablecoins, if well-regulated, could serve alongside CBDCs and tokenized bank deposits. In Aug 2023, MAS issued a regulatory framework for single-currency stablecoins (SCS) pegged to SGD or G10 currencies, issued in Singapore. Requirements include: Three entities (including Paxos and Circle via StraitsX) have received in-principle approval to issue compliant stablecoins—Singapore’s regulatory “sandbox” encourages innovation while ensuring safety. China China takes a strict stance on cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins. It has banned crypto trading, mining, and ICOs
[Stablecoins Report] Stablecoins and CBDCs: Definitions and Objectives – Part 2
Stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are widely regarded as powerful instruments for advancing traditional financial systems. They promise to usher in a more inclusive, efficient, and cost-effective global financial landscape. 1. Understanding Stablecoins and CBDCs Both stablecoins and CBDCs are forms of digital currency with stable values typically pegged to fiat money. However, they differ significantly in terms of issuing authorities, governance mechanisms, and several other key aspects: • Issuing Authorities Stablecoins are issued by private entities or decentralized organizations (e.g., Tether, Circle, MakerDAO), whereas CBDCs are issued directly by a country’s central bank. In essence, CBDCs represent state-backed digital versions of national currencies, while stablecoins function as “private money” governed by corporations or communities. • Collateral and Value Assurance CBDCs are recognized as legal tender in some countries, backed by the “full faith and credit” of the government, ensuring their value and usability. In contrast, stablecoins rely on collateral assets or algorithmic mechanisms promised by the issuers. Their value assurance is tied to the issuer’s credibility and reserves, without any governmental guarantee—introducing credit risks not present in CBDCs, which are virtually risk-free like cash. • Technology and Distribution Stablecoins are inherently built on distributed ledger technology (DLT), most commonly blockchain. Users manage stablecoins via personal digital wallets and engage in peer-to-peer transactions over the internet. Conversely, CBDCs are typically developed using centralized ledger technologies. Distribution models vary by country and include: While CBDCs can adopt DLT, they usually employ private versions where the central bank or authorized parties retain control—unlike the open, permissionless nature of public blockchains. • Transparency and Privacy Stablecoin transactions on public blockchains are highly transparent—every transaction is recorded and can be traced using blockchain explorers. However, user anonymity is relatively preserved since wallet addresses aren’t directly linked to real-world identities. CBDCs, on the other hand, are designed with more stringent oversight. Central banks can often access detailed user transaction data (e.g., China’s PBoC can trace all e-CNY transactions). Privacy levels vary by country, but full anonymity—like with cash—is generally avoided due to concerns about financial crime. • Integration with Financial Systems CBDCs integrate seamlessly into national financial systems and monetary policy frameworks. Central banks can regulate the supply of CBDCs and set policies like usage limits or interest rates. Stablecoins operate independently of these systems, and central banks can only influence their supply indirectly through regulation. This independence has raised concerns among regulators who see unregulated stablecoins as potential threats to monetary policy and systemic stability. Nevertheless, with proper regulation, stablecoins and CBDCs can coexist and complement each other. As Singapore’s stance suggests: “Stablecoins can be useful alongside CBDCs if risks are well-managed.” 2. Objectives of CBDCs and Stablecoins Enhancing Payments and Transactions In several countries, both CBDCs and stablecoins are already being used for everyday payments and peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers. Stablecoins offer low-cost, near-instant transactions, enabling users to make payments, shop, or send money directly without going through banks. In China, the e-CNY has been piloted in over 20 major cities including Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai… Citizens can use digital wallets for offline purchases, subway rides, and bill payments. e-CNY is also integrated with popular payment platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay, boosting accessibility and convenience. Expanding Financial Inclusion In countries with underdeveloped banking systems, stablecoins offer a viable alternative for value exchange, ensuring that transactions can occur even without access to banking services. Digital currencies drive innovation in both technology and economic models, acting as catalysts for digital economies and societies. For instance, migrant workers use stablecoins to send remittances home, bypassing high fees and bureaucratic hurdles associated with traditional money transfer services. Similarly, in Nigeria—where a large portion of the population is unbanked—the Central Bank launched the eNaira in 2021. According to government statistics, millions of new users gained access to financial services through the CBDC, helping bridge the digital divide and support marginalized communities. Facilitating Cross-Border Trade Stablecoins significantly simplify cross-border payments by reducing costs and transfer times. Transactions are nearly instantaneous and much cheaper than traditional bank transfers or services like Western Union. CBDCs also aim to improve cross-border transactions, often through international collaborations. Notable projects include: Powering Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Stablecoins serve as foundational assets in the DeFi ecosystem. Due to their price stability, they are widely used as collateral or borrowing assets in blockchain-based lending platforms. The advent of stablecoins has greatly expanded DeFi’s reach, allowing users to trade and invest without the volatility typical of traditional cryptocurrencies. Preserving Value Amid Inflation and Currency Instability In countries facing high inflation, USD-pegged stablecoins help citizens preserve the value of their assets. Instead of holding rapidly depreciating local currency, people turn to stablecoins as a safe haven. In Nigeria, for example, where the naira depreciated sharply in 2024, stablecoins became a popular choice—helping the country become the world’s second-largest crypto user. These digital dollars enable individuals to save value without needing foreign bank accounts, serving as an effective hedge in unstable economies. Strengthening Monetary Policy and Sovereignty By issuing CBDCs and aggregating user data from wallet providers, central banks gain precise tools to manage money supply and monitor cash flow in real-time. This enhances the effectiveness of monetary policy by reducing reaction time and improving decision-making accuracy. CBDCs also help preserve national monetary sovereignty in the face of competing digital currencies. Unlocking Opportunities for Fintech Innovation CBDCs or stablecoins could attract domestic fintech companies to participate in emerging technology markets—such as the development of open banking products, decentralized finance (DeFi), or cloud-based services—thereby enhancing the country’s financial infrastructure.They also help position a nation as a digital innovation and tech-startup-friendly environment, while still maintaining financial and monetary stability. Stablecoins and CBDCs are promising solutions that can drive the growth of the digital economy.Stablecoins offer flexibility and are widely adopted by the private sector and in emerging markets, whereas CBDCs act as state-led tools to modernize financial systems and improve control over money flows. CBDCs are expected to shape the future of national currencies in the digital era. The
[Stablecoins Report] What Are Stablecoins? Popular Stablecoins Today – Part 1
In the volatile world of cryptocurrency, stablecoins have emerged as a type of digital asset designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to traditional assets such as fiat currencies or commodities. More than just a medium of exchange, stablecoins play a vital role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and hold the potential to revolutionize the global financial system. 1. Understanding Stablecoins A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency engineered to maintain price stability by pegging its value to an external reference asset—typically a fiat currency like the US Dollar. The main goal of stablecoins is to combine the advantages of cryptocurrencies (such as fast, borderless, peer-to-peer transactions) with the price stability of traditional assets. Each unit of stablecoin is usually backed by an equivalent amount of a real-world asset (e.g., 1 USDT backed by 1 USD), ensuring its value remains close to a 1:1 peg. Key characteristics of stablecoins: Thanks to these benefits, stablecoins are acting as a bridge between the crypto economy and traditional finance, helping mitigate price volatility in crypto markets. 2. Types of Stablecoins Stablecoins use different mechanisms to maintain their value. Based on the underlying collateral and price-pegging method, they can be classified into the following main categories: • Fiat-Collateralized Stablecoins This is the most common type, backed by reserves of fiat currency held by a centralized issuer. Each stablecoin in circulation is matched by an equivalent amount of fiat currency (e.g., USD, EUR) stored in a bank account.Examples: Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC) – both pegged 1:1 to the US Dollar. • Commodity-Backed Stablecoins These are pegged to physical assets such as gold or oil.Example: Tether Gold (XAU₮) – each XAU₮ token is backed by one troy ounce of physical gold held in reserve. This enables users to hold commodities in a digital format. • Crypto-Collateralized Stablecoins These are backed by other cryptocurrencies (such as ETH or BTC). Due to the volatile nature of crypto assets, overcollateralization is typically required. This means $1 worth of stablecoin is often backed by $1.5–2 worth of crypto. This buffer helps maintain the peg even if the backing asset declines in value.Example: DAI (MakerDAO) – designed to track the US Dollar. Users lock crypto assets (e.g., ETH, USDC) in smart contracts to mint DAI. If the collateral value drops too low, the system automatically liquidates it to maintain full backing and price stability. • Algorithmic Stablecoins These stablecoins may have little to no collateral and maintain their peg through algorithms and market mechanisms. Instead of holding reserves, the protocol adjusts the stablecoin’s supply in response to market demand.Smart contracts automatically mint or burn tokens when the price deviates from the target peg.Examples: Ampleforth (AMPL), which adjusts daily token supply to stabilize price, or FRAX, which initially used a hybrid model of partial collateral and algorithmic stabilization. The benefit of this model is full decentralization, as it doesn’t rely on a centralized reserve. However, it carries high risk—market confidence is crucial. If the algorithm fails, the peg can collapse completely.Case in point: The crash of TerraUSD (UST) in 2022, a former leading algorithmic stablecoin, which lost its peg entirely. Other classification approaches: Still, the three main categories—fiat-backed, crypto-backed, and algorithmic—form the foundation of most stablecoins in today’s market. Each comes with trade-offs regarding stability, decentralization, and reliance on trusted third parties. 3. Most Popular Stablecoins Today (Market Cap, Mechanism, Transparency, Adoption) The stablecoin market has seen rapid growth, with hundreds of projects launched. However, most of the market capitalization is concentrated in a few key players. Below is an overview of major stablecoins, comparing their mechanisms, scale, and trustworthiness: Stablecoin Type & Collateral Price Pegging Mechanism Market Cap (USD) Transparency & Trust Popularity USDT (Tether) Fiat (USD) Fully backed by reserves of cash and US Treasury bills held by Tether ≈ $80B (largest) Widely used but has faced scrutiny over reserve transparency Most widely adopted globally; accounts for ~2/3 of stablecoin supply; high liquidity on CEXs and DeFi USDC (Circle) Fiat (USD) Fully backed by reserves held by Circle’s licensed banking partners (cash & US Treasuries) ≈ $25–30B (2nd largest) Highly transparent: weekly attestations, reserves held in reputable US banks; governed by Center (Circle & Coinbase) Highly trusted, second-most popular; adopted by financial institutions; integrated into DeFi and payment systems (e.g., Visa, Mastercard pilots) DAI (MakerDAO) Crypto (multi-asset) Overcollateralized by crypto assets (ETH, USDC, WBTC, etc.) locked in smart contracts; auto-liquidation if collateral value drops ≈ $5B (largest decentralized stablecoin) Fully on-chain transparency; governed by MakerDAO community; partially reliant on centralized assets like USDC Popular in DeFi: widely used in lending protocols, yield farming, and viewed as a leading decentralized stablecoin FRAX (Frax Finance) Hybrid: crypto & algorithmic Initially partially collateralized (USDC + crypto) and algorithmically managed via FXS token; after Terra crash, moved to 100% collateralization ≈ $1B (Top 5 in 2023) Transparent mechanism and collateral; governed by DAO; move to full collateral improved credibility; still reliant on crypto assets and unaudited Innovative hybrid model; once the most successful algorithmic stablecoin; used in select DeFi protocols and communities, but scale remains smaller than USDT/USDC Other notable stablecoins include: Despite increasing competition, USDT and USDC dominate the market in both volume and liquidity, forming the backbone of most global crypto transactions.
Stablecoins in Vietnam: Current situation and prospects
Stablecoins are becoming an increasingly hot topic within Vietnam’s financial and tech communities. Although not legally recognized as a means of payment, stablecoins have been quietly growing in popularity in investment as well as crypto. So, where do stablecoins currently stand in Vietnam’s digital finance landscape, and what does the future hold for them? 1. Legal status of stablecoins in Vietnam As of now, stablecoins are not recognized as a legal means of payment under Vietnamese law. The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has declared that the issuance, provision, and use of Bitcoin and similar virtual currencies — including stablecoins — as a form of payment is illegal and subject to administrative fines ranging from VND 150 to 200 million. Any form of payment using stablecoins — whether USDT, USDC, or other tokens — is strictly prohibited. However, while payment via stablecoins is banned, the government does not prohibit the holding or trading of cryptocurrencies as a form of digital asset. In recent years, the government has taken initial steps toward regulating the digital asset sector. For instance, the 2022 Anti-Money Laundering Law was the first to officially include virtual assets within its regulatory scope. Moreover, initiatives like Decision 1255/QĐ-TTg (2017) and the Ministry of Finance’s formation of a research group on cryptocurrency in 2020 show that the Vietnamese government is gradually moving toward establishing a legal framework for this emerging sector. 2. Stablecoin usage in Vietnam Despite the lack of a clear legal framework, Vietnamese users widely utilize stablecoins in investment and crypto-related activities, notably within these main groups: 3. Vietnamese businesses and startups involved in stablecoins Within Vietnam’s blockchain ecosystem, several businesses and projects are either developing or integrating stablecoin-related technologies: VNDC was among the first domestic stablecoin projects, pegging 1 VNDC = 1 VND and operating as a fiat-backed token on blockchain. Though not officially licensed, VNDC and the ONUS platform have attracted millions of users. Today, ONUS continues as a crypto investment platform, with VNDC coexisting alongside international stablecoins. International entities like Binance and Stably have launched VND-pegged stablecoins such as BVND and VNDS. However, these coins have yet to gain significant traction, due in part to low public trust and a lack of legal backing in Vietnam. A few small fintech firms have started using stablecoins for cross-border remittances, though end users still receive VND. Meanwhile, Vietnamese blockchain company TomoChain has collaborated on stablecoin/CBDC development for other countries such as Laos — highlighting Vietnam’s potential in both technology and talent for digital finance. 4. Future directions and outlook for Stablecoins in Vietnam So far, regulators have remained cautious and have not moved to legalize stablecoins. Instead, the State Bank of Vietnam is prioritizing research into launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This reflects the government’s interest in digital currency, but with a preference for state-issued and controlled solutions over privately developed stablecoins. Looking ahead, several developments are possible: At present, stablecoins in Vietnam remain in a legal gray area. While their use is thriving in the crypto community, the regulatory framework is still under construction. In the future, as the government continues to prioritize digital transformation and digital currency initiatives, stablecoins may be brought under a clearer legal structure — or be complemented, if not replaced, by a state-controlled CBDC. Key stakeholders — including the SBV, Ministry of Finance, and industry associations — are closely monitoring international developments to shape Vietnam’s policy on stablecoins.