Taiwan Virtual Asset Service Act

The Act is designed to move Taiwan’s virtual asset service provider oversight beyond an anti-money laundering registration model and toward an FSC licensing framework. The FSC summary identifies seven VASP categories: exchange providers, trading platform providers, transfer providers, custody providers, underwriting providers, lending providers, and other service providers designated by the regulator.

For covered VASPs, the framework addresses business and financial operations, responsible-person and staff fitness, internal control and audit systems, cybersecurity systems, token listing and delisting review, segregation and custody of customer assets, outsourcing, civil liability to customers, and financial reporting. These topics make the Act broader than a narrow AML/CFT registration rule and closer to a prudential, conduct, and market-integrity regime. The Executive Yuan described the draft as intended to support orderly virtual asset business development, strengthen market management, protect trading participants, and promote financial technology innovation.

The Act also establishes a Taiwan-specific stablecoin framework. According to the FSC, issuing a stablecoin in Taiwan requires consent from the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and permission from the FSC. Issuers must maintain full reserve assets, place those assets in trust, undergo periodic checks, and provide information disclosures.

The FSC states that the Act prohibits unfair market conduct, including fraudulent conduct and price manipulation in virtual asset transactions. The FSC summary describes criminal penalties for violations of these conduct rules as imprisonment of three to ten years and a possible fine ranging from NT$10 million to NT$200 million.

The Act includes a transition path for existing providers. The FSC said VASPs that had completed AML registration before commencement, and financial institutions already providing relevant services under FSC rules, must apply for FSC permission within 12 months after the Act takes effect and must obtain permission and a license within 21 months. The FSC summary also notes a possible one-time three-month extension where necessary.

For Taiwan’s crypto market, the Act creates a dedicated statutory path for service-provider licensing, stablecoin issuance, customer-asset safeguards, and market-abuse enforcement. It should be read as a framework statute whose practical effect will depend heavily on delegated rules, licensing standards, and transition notices. The main implementation watchpoints are presidential promulgation, the Executive Yuan’s commencement order, and the FSC’s delegated rules. The FSC has said it will continue drafting authorized subordinate regulations and consulting industry associations and other stakeholders. This profile should be reviewed when those official materials are published.