Taiwan Mobile Secures Crypto License: Telecom Giant Eyes Digital Asset Market

Taiwan Mobile, Taiwan’s second-largest telecom operator, was granted approval by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) to provide crypto services on July 5.

The FSC announced the approval, revealing that the company had successfully registered as a virtual asset service provider (VASP).

Taiwan Mobile: The Newest Player in the VASP Arena

This approval

marks Taiwan Mobile as the 26th registered VASP in the country. They join existing providers like MaiCoin, BitoPro, and XREX.

Taiwan Mobile’s VASP registration has sparked speculation about the company’s next steps within the cryptocurrency market.

JUST IN: 🇹🇼 Taiwan's second largest telecom operator gets virtual asset licence and may open its own cryptocurrency exchange – [@WuBlockchain ]

Taiwan Mobile co has almost 10 million customers! pic.twitter.com/2pvaC7yIFw

— Bitcoin Archive (@BTC_Archive) July 5, 2024

Bloomberg previously reported on Taiwan Mobile exploring collaborations and investments within Taiwan’s digital asset market, suggesting a potential move towards establishing a cryptocurrency exchange.

Boasting over 10 million customers, Taiwan Mobile’s venture into the crypto market has the potential to increase retail investor access to digital assets.

Taiwan’s Tightening Grip on Crypto Regulations

Taiwan’s crypto regulatory environment has undergone rapid development. In 2021, the FSC implemented stringent anti-money laundering (AML) regulations targeting cryptocurrency service providers.

These regulations were further strengthened in September 2023 with the release of comprehensive guidelines, including a ban on unregistered Bitcoin exchanges operating within Taiwan.

The developing regulatory framework led to the establishment of the Taiwan Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Association, chaired by BitoPro founder and CEO Titan Cheng.

This association is committed to collaborating with governmental and law enforcement agencies to mitigate fraud and criminal activities within the industry.

Taiwan authorities announced that they intend to punish cryptocurrency firms that fail to abide by its anti-money laundering (AML) laws.#Taiwan #FSC #AMLhttps://t.co/EESlcfExgB

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) May 9, 2024

This development followed a proposal by the Ministry of Justice to amend Taiwan’s anti-money laundering laws, expanding their scope to include digital asset providers. The proposed amendments could subject non-compliant crypto firms to fines of up to $1.5 million or prison sentences.

Taiwan Mobile’s entry into the crypto market coincides with the nation’s efforts to establish a transparent and equitable system for cryptocurrencies.

The combined impact of Taiwan Mobile’s move and the newly formed industry association highlights Taiwan’s dedication to cultivating a crypto-friendly environment, aligning with international best practices in consumer protection.

With Taiwan Mobile exploring potential collaborations with local cryptocurrency platforms and considering investments within the industry, the company’s utilization of its VASP status to shape Taiwan’s digital asset future is highly anticipated.