Taiwanese legislator Ko Ju-Chun has called for the integration of Bitcoin (BTC) into Taiwan's national reserves, alongside gold and foreign currencies. Speaking at a national finance conference on May 9, Ko highlighted Bitcoin's decentralized structure, fixed supply, and its growing role as a hedge against global economic instability and geopolitical risks. He argued that allocating even a small portion—potentially up to 5% or $50 billion—of the country's reserves to Bitcoin could enhance Taiwan's economic resilience, especially given its export-dependent economy and volatility in the New Taiwan dollar.
Ko emphasized that Bitcoin could serve as a liquid, uncorrelated asset in crisis scenarios, providing protection against asset seizure and currency volatility during heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly with China. The proposal comes as Taiwan prepares to roll out new crypto regulations, with the Financial Supervisory Commission planning institutional crypto custody trials and having released a draft 'Virtual Asset Service Act' for public consultation. While Ko acknowledged Bitcoin is not a standalone solution for Taiwan's financial challenges, he positioned the proposal as a move to diversify and strengthen the nation's reserve assets in the face of global uncertainties. No formal policy has yet been adopted, but this advocacy signals increasing consideration of digital assets in Taiwan's financial strategy.