Taiwan's Premier and Central Bank have reportedly reached an agreement to thoroughly study Bitcoin as a potential strategic reserve asset. This initiative also includes drafting pro-Bitcoin regulations and piloting Bitcoin treasury holdings, commencing with already seized Bitcoin that is awaiting auction. The project is spearheaded by legislator Dr. Ju-chun Ko and has garnered support from Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, a prominent Bitcoin technology company dedicated to accelerating Bitcoin adoption worldwide. This announcement, conveyed by JAN3, follows increasing discussions among Taiwanese lawmakers regarding the inherent risks associated with an overreliance on conventional reserve assets.

The push for Bitcoin integration gained momentum earlier in May when Dr. Ju-chun Ko urged the National Central Bank to evaluate the inclusion of Bitcoin within the country's strategic reserves. Ko highlighted the New Taiwan Dollar’s significant volatility, prevalent global inflation, and escalating regional geopolitical risks as critical motivations for exploring alternative reserve strategies. The New Taiwan Dollar has indeed experienced extreme fluctuations, with swings of up to 5% in a single day this year. Dr. Ko criticized Taiwan's substantial dependence on the U.S. dollar, emphasizing a perceived lack of financial resilience and advocating for Bitcoin's consideration as a vital component of Taiwan's broader financial strategy.

Currently, Taiwan's existing strategic reserves reportedly comprise approximately 423 metric tonnes of gold and a substantial $577 billion in foreign currency, with an overwhelming 92% of this foreign currency invested in U.S. Treasury bonds. Dr. Ko clarified that Bitcoin would not serve as a replacement for these established assets but rather as a complementary component. Its inclusion is intended to significantly enhance financial resilience through strategic diversification, mitigating risks associated with concentrating assets in a single currency or commodity.

This forward-thinking approach by Taiwan aligns with broader global trends, where several nations are exploring or implementing Bitcoin into their financial frameworks. In March 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump notably signed an executive order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which absorbed over $17 billion in forfeited bitcoins. Other countries, such as Argentina and El Salvador, have also actively explored the integration of Bitcoin into their national reserves, citing its recognized potential as a hedge against inflation and a safeguard against centralized banking risks. Argentina's President Javier Milei, for instance, openly supports Bitcoin as a mechanism to combat inflation and reduce reliance on central banks. Dr. Ko referenced these international precedents during his Legislative Yuan speech in May, underscoring Bitcoin’s unique advantages, including its fixed supply and decentralized nature, which set it apart from traditional assets. He argued that even a modest allocation of Bitcoin could substantially improve Taiwan's preparedness against potential global currency shocks and widespread financial instability.

While a formal policy has not yet been enacted, reports from JAN3's social media indicate that the central bank intends to conduct comprehensive detailed studies and pilot BTC holdings using seized Bitcoin before considering any broader implementation. If successfully approved and implemented, Taiwan would position itself among the first Asian countries to either hold or pilot Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, marking a significant step in the region. This initiative also builds upon earlier regulatory developments, as Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission had already begun permitting professional investors to purchase foreign Bitcoin and crypto ETFs back in 2024.