Taiwan's FSC Approves Foreign Crypto ETFs for Professional Investors

Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) has authorized foreign crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for professional investors, as announced on September 30, 2024. Institutional investors in Taiwan can now invest in foreign digital asset ETFs through a re-entrustment process. This process involves delegating investment management to trusted intermediaries, allowing access to specialized assets like foreign crypto ETFs while ensuring regulatory oversight and risk management. Prior to investing in foreign crypto ETFs, securities firms and investors must meet certain conditions, including developing a suitability system approved by their board of directors and assessing the client's expertise with virtual assets. The FSC will closely monitor securities firms to ensure regulatory compliance and protect investors' rights. While Taiwan embraces digital assets, other Asian countries like South Korea and Japan approach crypto ETFs with caution due to perceived volatility. In contrast, Hong Kong has approved the first spot Bitcoin ETF, reflecting a diverse landscape in the region.