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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. Cryptopolitan

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BlackRock’s 3-Day Bitcoin and Ether Buying Spree Sparks Rally, Then Cooldown

BlackRock’s steady accumulation of Bitcoin and Ether over three consecutive days coincided with a clear price push across both markets. However, after reaching short term highs, BTC and ETH both pulled back as the rally cooled and traders locked in gains. BlackRock Adds BTC and ETH for Three Straight Days BlackRock has accumulated Bitcoin and Ether for three consecutive days, according to onchain tracker Lookonchain. The account said the firm added a combined 9,619 BTC worth about $878 million and 46,851 ETH worth about $149 million over that period. BlackRock ETF Onchain Accumulation. Source: Arkham Intelligence Onchain labels and transfer logs also show fresh movements from Coinbase Prime linked wallets into BlackRock ETF related addresses. The records include multiple Bitcoin transfers into BlackRock’s IBIT Bitcoin ETF tagged destination, alongside several Ether transfers into BlackRock’s ETHA Ethereum ETF tagged destination. The transfers appeared in batches within hours of each other, with repeated deposits of roughly 300 BTC at a time and several ETH moves that include 10,000 ETH sized transfers. While onchain data does not prove who initiated each transaction, the labels point to Coinbase Prime as the source and BlackRock ETF custody addresses as the destination in the latest series of movements. BTC and ETH Prices Move Higher, Then Pull Back During BlackRock Buying Bitcoin and Ether both posted gains during the three day period when onchain data showed BlackRock accumulating BTC and ETH through ETF linked wallets. At the start of the window, Bitcoin traded near the high $87,000 to $88,000 range, before pushing steadily higher over the following sessions. Price climbed above $90,000 and later tested the $93,000 to $94,000 area, marking the strongest levels of the week. As the buying period progressed, Bitcoin momentum slowed. After setting a short term high near $94,000, price began to roll over and moved lower into Jan. 7. By the end of the period, Bitcoin traded near $90,300, giving back part of the earlier advance but still holding above the levels seen before the accumulation phase began. The structure shows a higher high followed by a controlled pullback rather than a sharp reversal. Bitcoin Price Action, Three Day View. Source: CoinCodex Ether followed a similar path over the same days. ETH started near the $2,950 to $3,000 zone and advanced steadily as the sessions unfolded. Price broke above $3,100, then extended toward the $3,250 to $3,300 area, where it briefly stalled. This marked the strongest ETH levels during the three day stretch tied to BlackRock inflows. Ethereum Price Action, Three Day View. Source: CoinCodex Toward the end of the window, Ether also pulled back alongside Bitcoin. ETH slipped from the local highs and settled near $3,120, trimming gains but remaining above its early period base. The price action reflects a rise during sustained ETF related inflows, followed by profit taking as the broader market cooled, while both assets kept higher levels compared with where the move began. Cryptopolitan