IRON LAW: In Fintech, Regulation Comes BEFORE Product
Unlike most tech products where you can launch and iterate, financial
services in Taiwan require LICENSING FIRST. Operating without the proper
license is a criminal offense (not just a fine). Determine your regulatory
category and licensing requirements BEFORE writing code.
FSC Regulatory Framework
金融監督管理委員會 (FSC) oversees all financial services in Taiwan:
| Category |
Governing Law |
License Required |
FSC Division |
| Electronic payment |
電子支付機構管理條例 |
電子支付機構許可 |
Banking Bureau |
| Third-party payment |
第三方支付服務業管理辦法 |
Registration (lighter) |
Banking Bureau |
| P2P lending |
金融科技發展與創新實驗條例 (sandbox) or crowd-funding rules |
Case-by-case |
Securities Bureau |
| Robo-advisory |
證券投資信託及顧問法 |
Investment advisory license |
Securities Bureau |
| Insurance tech |
保險法 |
Insurance broker/agent license |
Insurance Bureau |
| VASP (crypto) |
虛擬資產服務提供者管理辦法 (2024) |
VASP registration + AML compliance |
Securities Bureau |
| Open banking |
金融機構間資料共享指引 |
API partnership with banks |
Banking Bureau |
Electronic Payment vs Third-Party Payment
| Feature |
Electronic Payment (電子支付) |
Third-Party Payment (第三方支付) |
| Stored value |
Yes (e-wallet) |
No (pass-through only) |
| P2P transfer |
Yes |
No |
| Capital requirement |
NT$500M+ |
NT$5M |
| License |
FSC approval (12-18 months) |
Registration (1-3 months) |
| Examples |
LINE Pay Money, JKoPay, icash Pay |
綠界 ECPay, 藍新 NewebPay |
VASP (Crypto) Regulations (2024+)
| Requirement |
Detail |
| Registration |
Must register with FSC as VASP |
| AML/CFT |
Full compliance with 洗錢防制法 |
| KYC |
Identity verification for all users |
| Custody |
Customer asset segregation required |
| Marketing |
Restrictions on advertising (no promises of returns) |
| Reporting |
Suspicious transaction reports (STR) to 調查局 |
AML/KYC Requirements (All Financial Services)
| KYC Level |
When Required |
Data Collected |
| Simplified |
Low-risk, small transactions |
Name, ID number, DOB |
| Standard |
Account opening, most transactions |
+ Address, occupation, source of funds |
| Enhanced |
High-risk customers, PEPs, large transactions |
+ Detailed source of wealth, ongoing monitoring |
Ongoing obligations:
- Transaction monitoring (unusual patterns)
- Suspicious Transaction Reports (STR) to 法務部調查局
- Sanctions screening (OFAC, UN, EU lists)
- Record keeping: 5+ years after account closure
Regulatory Sandbox (金融科技創新實驗)
| Aspect |
Detail |
| Purpose |
Test innovative financial services without full licensing |
| Duration |
Up to 18 months (extendable to 36) |
| Application |
Submit to FSC with: innovation description, consumer protection plan, risk assessment |
| Approval time |
60 business days |
| Scope limitation |
Must define user count, transaction limits, geographic scope |
| Exit plan |
Path to full license or orderly shutdown |
Open Banking (Three Phases)
| Phase |
Data Shared |
Status |
| Phase 1 |
Product information (rates, fees) |
Launched 2019 |
| Phase 2 |
Customer information (with consent) |
Launched 2021 |
| Phase 3 |
Transaction initiation (payment, transfer) |
In development |