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Vietnam Targets Mid-January Launch for Pilot Crypto Exchange Licenses

Vietnam has set a mid-January timeline to approve its first pilot cryptocurrency exchanges, marking a shift toward controlled market testing. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed regulators to complete approvals by Jan. 15, 2026, under a sandbox model that allows crypto trading while limiting systemic risks. The move places digital assets on a formal policy track after years of legal uncertainty. The decision followed a Jan. 6, 2026 national finance-sector conference, where the government outlined priorities for the year ahead. Among them, pilot crypto exchanges ranked as a key task. Officials framed the initiative as a way to observe market behavior, improve oversight tools, and prepare for broader regulation if results remain stable. Vietnam’s crypto market already ranks among the most active in Southeast Asia by user adoption. However, until now, trading largely occurred through offshore platforms. By opening a domestic pilot, authorities aim to bring activity onshore, improve transparency, and reduce risks linked to capital flight and fraud. Strict Entry Rules Define the Pilot Phase Regulators designed the pilot to start with a limited number of participants. Only five companies are expected to receive initial approval. Each applicant must meet a minimum charter capital of VND10 trillion, signaling that the government wants well-capitalized operators with long-term capacity. Ownership rules further narrow eligibility. At least 65% of shares must be held by institutional investors, with a minimum 35% split between two qualifying institutions such as banks, securities firms, insurers, fund managers, or technology companies. These institutions must show two consecutive profitable years and clean audit records. Technical and security standards also play a central role. Approved exchanges must comply with Level 4 IT safety requirements, close to the highest national benchmark. This condition reflects concerns over hacks and data breaches that have affected regional crypto platforms in recent years. Oversight Structure and Regional Context Vietnam assigned oversight across multiple agencies. The Ministry of Finance will supervise exchange operations, while the State Bank of Vietnam will track capital flows and anti-money-laundering controls. At the same time, the Ministry of Public Security will handle enforcement related to cybercrime and market abuse. The pilot aligns with broader legal changes that took effect at the start of 2026, expanding the regulatory base for digital technologies. Officials see the exchange trial as a testing ground rather than full legalization, allowing authorities to adjust rules before scaling. Across Asia, Vietnam’s approach mirrors steps taken by jurisdictions such as Singapore and Hong Kong, which also launched sandbox regimes before issuing broader crypto licenses. By following a phased model, Vietnam positions itself to balance innovation with financial stability while keeping tight control over early market development. Bitcoin Magazine

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Why Credibility in Crypto Is Built Through PR and How Outset PR Leads the Process

In the crypto industry, visibility can be purchased in minutes through ads, influencers, and traffic campaigns. Yet, despite this constant noise, most projects struggle with a deeper challenge: being taken seriously. Markets don’t reward attention alone. They respond to validation and proof that a project has been examined, questioned, and deemed worth covering by independent voices. In crypto, where skepticism is a default mindset, reputation is not something you buy. It is something you earn. Rather than chasing visibility for its own sake, agencies like Outset PR focus on building tier-1 credibility because meaningful shifts in market perception only happen when PR is done right. How Advertising and PR Deliver Different Results in Crypto Advertising and public relations produce fundamentally different outcomes in the crypto industry. Ads are designed to generate immediate visibility—traffic, impressions, and short-term attention. They are effective for promotion and user acquisition, but their impact is limited to the duration of the spend and the audience’s willingness to trust paid messages. PR operates on a different level. Instead of broadcasting claims, it introduces third-party validation through editorial scrutiny. Coverage in credible publications signals that a project has been evaluated by independent voices, which directly influences how it is perceived by investors, partners, exchanges, and informed users. In practice, advertising results are transactional and temporary. Once a campaign ends, visibility declines and the signal disappears. PR results, by contrast, accumulate. Earned media placements remain discoverable, referenced, and shared over time, shaping long-term reputation rather than short-term awareness. Credibility Is Earned, Not Purchased Public relations achieves what advertising cannot: it builds trust through independent validation. While ads allow brands to control their message, PR introduces external voices that lend authority and legitimacy. When respected journalists, analysts, and established industry publications choose to cover a project, that endorsement carries weight no paid campaign can replicate. This impact shows up in three key ways: It validates credibility in the eyes of the audience.Coverage in trusted publications signals legitimacy far more effectively than paid promotion. It shapes market perception through narrative alignment.Rather than pushing claims, PR positions a project within the market through respected editorial contexts. It creates lasting reputation assets.Features, interviews, and expert commentary remain visible long after advertising spend ends, continuing to influence perception over time. In an industry defined by skepticism, these advantages make earned media a foundational component of long-term credibility in crypto. Why Tier-1 Media Coverage Changes Perception Not all media exposure carries the same weight. Tier-1 publications serve as trust multipliers because they reach audiences who actively filter information: investors, exchange teams, partners, and industry decision-makers. A single high-quality feature or expert commentary in a respected outlet can reshape how a project is perceived. It signals that the team has been vetted, the story has substance, and the narrative holds up under scrutiny. Unlike ads, this credibility compounds over time. Articles remain searchable, referenced, and rediscovered long after publication. They become permanent reputation assets rather than temporary visibility spikes. How Outset PR Enables Credible Market Validation Securing coverage in top-tier media is a deliberate process, not a matter of chance. It depends on strategic planning, strong editorial relationships, precise timing, and the ability to present a story in a format that aligns with how journalists evaluate and publish content. Effective PR teams consistently focus on a set of core practices: identifying topics that reflect genuine expertise and substance preparing concise, journalist-ready briefs developing angles that cut through crowded inboxes pitching directly to established tier-1 reporters responding quickly to news cycles and emerging editorial opportunities overseeing the process from initial outreach to final publication When executed properly, this methodology translates a project’s internal vision into external validation—creating credibility that extends beyond a single announcement. Outset PR is a clear example of this approach in practice. The team has built a track record of delivering meaningful tier-1 exposure for crypto companies by combining disciplined storytelling with trusted media relationships. One recent example involved Graphite Network, a technically strong project whose public profile had not yet caught up with its underlying product depth. Outset PR designed a targeted pitching strategy centered on Graphite’s technical expertise and real-world value. The outcome included: feature coverage in Forbes and VentureBeat expert commentary from Graphite’s CTO on Investing.com These results were driven by precise angle selection, tailored outreach, and long-standing editorial trust. The resulting coverage strengthened Graphite’s market credibility, positioned its leadership as subject-matter experts, and reinforced investor confidence at a pivotal stage of growth—illustrating the long-term value PR is intended to create. Final Word: Reputation Is Built When the Market Speaks for You Advertising can amplify a message, but it cannot confirm it. In crypto, where trust is scarce and scrutiny is constant, reputation is built when others tell your story. Earned media, particularly in tier-1 publications, functions as proof that a project belongs in the broader market conversation. It anchors perception, supports long-term growth, and provides confidence during moments of uncertainty. This is the role PR is meant to play. And this is why agencies like Outset PR focus not on buying attention, but on earning the validation that turns visibility into lasting credibility. Disclaimer This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, investment, or professional advice. Bitcoin Magazine