Taiwan holds seized Bitcoin and stablecoins as debate over reserve status intensifies

2 min

19th December 2025 – (Taipei) Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice has revealed it controls 210.45 BTC alongside roughly NT$1.3 billion in confiscated digital assets, with the bulk comprising US dollar‑pegged stablecoins and additional holdings in Ether, Binance Coin, Tron and Livepeer.

Officials said the assets, seized as criminal proceeds, remain in state custody pending decisions on disposal. Options under review include public auctions, with any realised funds remitted to the Treasury. Based on comparative datasets, the stash could place Taiwan around eighth globally for government Bitcoin holdings.

The ministry said the inventory reflects ongoing work to standardise procedures for seizure, safekeeping and disposal of cryptoassets across the judicial process. The disclosure has sharpened political debate over whether Bitcoin should be treated as a strategic reserve. Legislator Ko Ju‑Chun, vice co‑chair of the USA–Taiwan Caucus in the Legislative Yuan, has urged the government to evaluate adding Bitcoin to national reserves, arguing virtual assets have become a battleground for national security and financial sovereignty.

In parallel, financial authorities are tightening oversight of stablecoins and crypto service providers. The central bank has called for a stringent licensing regime, including a requirement for issuers to hold part of their reserves with the bank. It has also sought a formal supervisory role within the Financial Supervisory Commission’s proposed Virtual Asset Services Act, citing potential risks to exchange‑rate stability and payment systems.

FSC chairman Peng Jin‑long told lawmakers the bill has cleared initial scrutiny and could win third‑reading approval in the next legislative session. Detailed stablecoin rules would follow within six months, implying any domestically issued stablecoin is unlikely before late 2026.

The post Taiwan holds seized Bitcoin and stablecoins as debate over reserve status intensifies appeared first on Dimsum Daily.

No comments yet.

Back to feed