Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice has recently announced that the government currently holds over 210 bitcoin, seized in relation to criminal investigations. This places Taiwan among the top holders of the cryptocurrency globally, reflecting a significant step in the nation’s management of virtual assets. As of October 31, the total number of bitcoins held is reported to be 210.45, valued at approximately $18 million based on current market rates.
Legislator Ko Ju-chun confirmed this information following a legislative inquiry, providing documentation of the total holdings. The bitcoin in question was confiscated from cases related to financial crime and illegal activities involving digital assets.
In a related development, back in November, discussions between Taiwan’s Premier and the Central Bank suggested an interest in exploring bitcoin as a potential strategic reserve. This includes drafting favorable regulations and piloting BTC treasury holdings, starting with the seized bitcoin that is pending auction.
Despite the growing trend of countries accumulating bitcoin through law enforcement actions, Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice has not established specific guidelines concerning custody standards or long-term policies for these assets. Importantly, there are no plans disclosed regarding the liquidation, auction, or conversion of the seized bitcoin into fiat currency. Additionally, details about the custody arrangements—whether they involve self-custody or third-party services—have not been provided.
Globally, the United States leads in bitcoin holdings among governments with over 328,000 BTC, primarily from seizures linked to cybercrime and fraud. China and the United Kingdom follow as major holders. As it stands, governments around the world collectively possess more than 640,000 BTC, accounting for roughly 3% of the total supply of bitcoin, most of which has been confiscated through law enforcement activities.
While Taiwan has not pledged to incorporate bitcoin into its national reserves, the recent disclosure adds to ongoing discussions in the country regarding the regulatory framework for digital assets and how confiscated cryptocurrencies should be handled. Lawmakers have urged relevant agencies to evaluate whether such assets should be retained, sold, or managed under a standardized framework to ensure effective oversight. The Ministry of Justice emphasized that the acquisition of the bitcoin aligns with efforts to track and process virtual assets that are part of criminal proceedings. At present, the price of bitcoin is reported to be around $88,000.
