Taiwan is making significant strides toward establishing its own digital asset infrastructure, with plans to introduce a sovereign stablecoin possibly as early as the second half of 2026. The move aligns with the country’s broader regulatory efforts to integrate cryptocurrencies into its financial system, following recent legislative developments and policy reviews.
Key Takeaways
- •Legislation for a Taiwanese stablecoin is progressing, with potential market entry projected for late 2026.
- •The Virtual Assets Service Act, if enacted, would facilitate stablecoin issuance by authorized entities, initially excluding non-regulated institutions.
- •Taiwanese authorities are analyzing confiscated Bitcoin to assess the feasibility of establishing a national crypto reserve.
- •Lawmakers advocate for boosting economic resilience by potentially adding Bitcoin to national reserves, mirroring policies in other nations.
Progress Toward a Taiwanese Stablecoin
Taiwan’s financial authorities are advancing legislation inspired by Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The proposed Virtual Assets Service Act, currently under review, aims to regulate digital asset issuance and service providers. If enacted, the law would enable the issuance of a Taiwan-based stablecoin, pegged to local or foreign fiat currencies. Initially, issuance would be limited to entities under existing regulatory oversight, with non-financial institutions barred from minting tokens until further regulations are introduced.
According to Peng Jin-lon, Chair of Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), the legislation could be passed by the next legislative cycle, with a buffer period for implementation. This timeline suggests a stablecoin launch might materialize in late 2026, potentially enhancing Taiwan’s digital finance ecosystem.
Following regulatory tightening last year, Taiwan’s authorities began enforcing anti-money laundering measures against crypto firms such as MaiCoin and BitoPro. Despite these efforts, no stablecoins pegged to the US dollar or Taiwan dollar have been officially issued yet. The country continues to explore the prospects of digital assets, including JPM Coin and other tokenized assets, as part of its strategy to modernize financial regulation and foster innovation.
Possible Bitcoin Reserves?
In addition to stablecoin regulation, Taiwanese policymakers are evaluating the use of Bitcoin confiscated during law enforcement raids. Lawmaker Ju-Chun has publicly called for the inclusion of Bitcoin in Taiwan’s official reserves, aiming to bolster economic security amidst global uncertainties. Currently, Taiwan’s reserve holdings consist mainly of US Treasury bonds and gold, with no official crypto reserve.
This approach reflects a broader trend among nations like the United States, which actively promote national reserves containing digital assets. While still in conceptual stages, Taiwan’s potential move into crypto reserves signals an increasing recognition of Bitcoin’s strategic value and long-term viability as an asset class.