Taiwanese Lawmaker Proposes Bitcoin for National Reserve, Citing Rising Global Risk

On Friday (May 9) morning, Taiwanese non-constituency legislator Dr. Ju-chun Ko delivered a rousing speech at the Legislative Yuan highlighting how the New Taiwan dollar (NTD), often volatile as a result of being an export-oriented economy, now face even bigger risk vectors with global inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.Dr. Ko cautioned that in the event of increased global financial instability or regional conflicts, the safety and liquidity of the current treasury assets cannot be guaranteed.Highlighting Bitcoin's fixed supply and decentralized nature, the lawmaker clarified that he was not looking to replace existing assets, but instead is suggesting a diversified asset strategy, which includes a small proportion of Bitcoin alongside other alternative assets, to enhance Taiwan's financial resilience. This proposal aligns with global trends, as several political leaders and governments have recently adopted pro-Bitcoin policies:United States: President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, absorbing over $17 billion in forfeited bitcoins to bolster national reserves.New Hampshire (US): Governor Kelly Ayotte signed House Bill 302, allowing the state to invest up to 5% of public funds in major cryptocurrencies and precious metals, marking the first U.S. state to establish a cryptocurrency reserve. B.R.O. covered the anticipated impact of this in our May 8 issue.Argentina: President Javier Milei, elected in November 2023, has expressed support for Bitcoin as a means to counteract inflation and reduce reliance on central banking systems.El Salvador: Under President Nayib Bukele, El Salvador became the first country to adopt bitcoins as legal tender in 2021, integrating it into the national economy and reserves. These developments reflect a growing global interest in bitcoin as a strategic asset both at national and corporate levels, prompting discussions in Taiwan about adopting similar measures to safeguard the nation's economic stability.Taiwanese residents had another reason to celebrate yesterday's legislative sitting as four more national holidays were passed into law.Bitcoin Reserves: The Global Divide Over Crypto as a Strategic AssetFrom the European Central Bank’s rejection of Bitcoin in national reserves to Norway’s growing indirect exposure and El Salvador’s evolving approach, the debate over Bitcoin’s role in sovereign finance is stronger than ever.BlockheadBlockheadStay ahead of the curve. Join the Blockhead community on Telegram @blockheadco