1| Introducing the definition of electronic money and entities who are allowed to provide electronic money
The Draft has supplemented the definition of electronic money. According, electronic money is a form of monetary value stored on electronic devices (electronic means) guaranteed by a 1: 1 deposit value ratio at banks, have the right to recourse from supply organizations and used as a means of payment in payment transactions. Additionally, this Draft also identifies the entities which are allowed to supply electronic money, namely licensed banks, branches of foreign bank in Vietnam (Debit card) and payment intermediary service providers (digital wallets).
2| Non-bank entities are permitted to provide foreign payment and international money transfer service
According to the Draft, banks which are licensed to provide foreign exchange services on international markets may cooperate with foreign payment service providers; payment intermediaries may only cooperate with foreign payment service providers to support banks permitted to conduct international payment transactions. This cooperation must be approved in writing by the State Bank of Vietnam and the written approval must comply with the regulations of the State Bank of Vietnam.
Parties involved the international payment are responsible for providing sufficient and timely information and compliance with the requirements of state agencies in accordance with the laws of Vietnam in order to manage cross-border transactions.
3| Introducing regulations on the ownership ratio of foreign investors in a payment intermediary service providers
The Draft indicates that the foreign investor may investing in intermediary payment service providers under the form of capital contribution, share purchase, capital contribution in.
Under Article 29.2 of the Draft, the maximum contributed capital rate for foreign investors, including both direct and indirect investment, is 49% of the charter capital of a payment intermediary service providers. The transitional provision of the Draft allows existing intermediaries with foreign ownership exceeding 49% to continue its operation until the expiration of its Provision Licenses issued by the State Bank of Vietnam or there is a change of shareholders, whichever is earlier.
It is worth noting that, as of November this year, Viet Nam had 30 payment intermediary service providers licensed by the State Bank, including MoMo, Moca, Payoo, SenPay, Zalopay, Airpay, VNPay, Monpay, ViettelPay, 1Pay, Nganluong, VTCpay, Mpay and Wepay. Most of the payment intermediary service providers in the Vietnam are now owned by foreign investors.
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