Taiwanese lawmaker Ko Ju-Chun has formally called on the government to consider adding Bitcoin to its national reserves during the National Conference held on May 9, 2025. The legislator at-large in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan suggested that Bitcoin could serve as a strategic hedge against global economic uncertainty and currency volatility.
Ko cited Taiwan’s position as an export-oriented economy that has experienced significant fluctuations in its national currency, the New Taiwan dollar, amid global inflation and intensifying geopolitical risks. “We currently have a gold reserve of 423 metric tons, and our foreign exchange reserves amount to $577 billion, including investments in US Treasury bonds,” the lawmaker stated during the conference.
Bitcoin as a Financial Safeguard
The proposal comes at a time when Taiwan faces concerns about currency stability. According to reports, the New Taiwan Dollar has recently experienced extreme volatility, with fluctuations ranging from 5% daily appreciation to 5% daily depreciation, causing nervousness among citizens and businesses alike.
Ko emphasized Bitcoin’s unique properties that make it suitable as a reserve asset: “Bitcoin has been operating for over 15 years. It has a fixed total supply, is decentralized, and is resistant to censorship. Many countries are focusing on its hedging attributes. At the same time, in intense situations, it may not face the risk of embargo.”
The legislator’s announcement followed discussions with Samson Mow, CEO of Bitcoin infrastructure firm JAN3, who has been advocating for Bitcoin adoption by sovereign states. Mow previously worked with El Salvador on its Bitcoin implementation strategy.
Growing Global Trend
Taiwan’s interest in Bitcoin as a reserve asset reflects a growing trend among governments worldwide. In the United States, New Hampshire recently passed the Bitcoin Reserve Act, officially allowing Bitcoin to be part of its state financial reserves. Other regions are exploring similar initiatives as they prepare for future economic uncertainties.
Former Taiwanese Premier Chen Cong has reportedly expressed support for the initiative, noting that while Bitcoin may not function as everyday money, it remains a powerful asset to guard against inflation. Similarly, Professor Liu Yiru from National Taiwan University highlighted Bitcoin’s limited supply as a key differentiator from traditional currencies that can be printed in large quantities during crises.
Ko has formally called on Taiwan’s National Central Bank to assess the feasibility of such a move. Rather than replacing existing reserves, he proposes allocating a small percentage to Bitcoin as part of a diversified reserve strategy that would continue to include gold and foreign exchange.
Potential Market Impact
If Taiwan moves forward with this proposal, it could have significant implications for the cryptocurrency market. As the world’s 21st largest economy with substantial foreign reserves, Taiwan’s entry into Bitcoin would represent another major institutional adoption milestone. Such a move could potentially influence other export-oriented economies facing similar currency challenges to consider Bitcoin as part of their reserve strategy.
However, the proposal remains in the discussion phase, with no formal policy adopted yet. The government will need to evaluate various factors including regulatory frameworks, security protocols, and the appropriate allocation percentage before making any definitive decisions on incorporating Bitcoin into national reserves.
