Taiwan’s central bank and Executive Yuan have reportedly agreed to begin studying whether Bitcoin should be added to the country’s strategic reserves a move that could make Taiwan the first Southeast Asian nation to officially hold BTC.
The development was announced by Taiwanese legislator Dr. Ko Ju-chun, who said the government has committed to evaluating Bitcoin’s potential role in the national reserve portfolio. Ko added that officials also plan to draft “Bitcoin-friendly regulations” within the next six months and begin shaping a BTC treasury strategy.
A Push Toward Becoming Asia’s Bitcoin Hub
Ko explained that the initiative is supported by JAN3, a global Bitcoin technology company led by CEO Samson Mow. He publicly called on the global Bitcoin community to support Taiwan’s efforts toward becoming a regional BTC hub.
Currently, Taiwan’s reserve holdings include 432 tons of gold and approximately $577 billion in foreign currency, with about 92% of its reserves invested in U.S. Treasury bonds. Ko argues that this heavy reliance on the U.S. dollar leaves Taiwan vulnerable to external economic and geopolitical pressures — and that Bitcoin could serve as a hedge.
Draft Rules and a BTC Treasury Pilot Program
As part of its shift toward Bitcoin integration, the Executive Yuan plans to introduce a regulatory framework designed to support BTC adoption. Taiwan will also begin a pilot program for managing Bitcoin treasury holdings, starting with an evaluation of seized BTC that is currently awaiting auction.
In 2024, Taiwanese prosecutors reportedly seized about $146 million worth of Bitcoin. With BTC’s price appreciation since then, the value of these assets has surged to nearly $300 million, providing a starting point for a potential national BTC reserve.
Ko had already argued for Bitcoin to be added to Taiwan’s reserves earlier this year, suggesting that even a small allocation could strengthen Taiwan’s economic resilience.
Bitcoin as a Strategic Asset in Asia
If Taiwan moves forward, it would join a very short list of Asian governments with known Bitcoin holdings. China controls roughly 190,000 BTC worth more than $19.5 billion while North Korea’s holdings sit around 804 BTC, valued near $83 million.
Other countries in the region have recently shown interest as well. Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka met with local Bitcoin advocates earlier this year to explore the idea of establishing a national BTC reserve. Brazil has also been in discussions about forming strategic Bitcoin holdings.
If approved, Taiwan would become the first Southeast Asian nation to openly hold Bitcoin as part of its sovereign reserve strategy a milestone that could influence broader regional adoption.
