Taiwan Ministry of Justice Raises Alarm: Are BTC and ETH Being Used as Bribery Tools?

• Recent data published by the Taiwan Ministry of Justice indicates that a significant amount of 1.254 billion yuan has been distributed from the year 2000 until the end of this year.
• According to the High Prosecutors Office, as of June this year, surprisingly, 1,335 bribery-related cases have been filed in connection with last year’s nine-in-one elections.
• Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have become instruments for election bribery.

The Taiwan Ministry of Justice has made statements regarding the amount of bribes given since 2000, highlighting the use of Bitcoin and Ethereum as bribery tools.

Taiwan Ministry of Justice Draws Attention to Bribery

Recent data published by the Taiwan Ministry of Justice reveals that a significant amount of 1.254 billion yuan has been distributed for reporting and bribery from the year 2000 until the end of this year. Approximately 50 million yuan was allocated as part of the nine-in-one election incentives last year, and ongoing investigations and distributions continue.

According to the High Prosecutors Office, as of June this year, surprisingly, 1,335 bribery-related cases have been filed in connection with last year’s nine-in-one elections. This demonstrates the serious consequences of engaging in corrupt actions during elections.

Prosecution agencies across the country have taken legal action against individuals involved in invalid elections. Specifically, 192 cases involving 193 individuals have been opened, including prominent figures like Taipei City Councilor Lin Xinger and Miaoli County Governor Zhong Dongjin.

This represents a four-case increase compared to the previous nine-in-one election. As a significant development, the court has declared three of these cases as invalid. Furthermore, national prosecutors have successfully seized nearly 15 million yuan, which is a record compared to previous years.

The Taiwan Ministry of Justice emphasizes that it is aware of the evolving methods of bribery, noting that it is no longer limited to cash transactions alone. The emergence of third-party payment platforms and the use of digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as game points and virtual currencies, have become instruments for election bribery.

Police and prosecutors, aware of this concerning trend, are implementing preventive measures against these tactics in the 2024 general elections.

Cryptocurrencies Targeted

Cryptocurrencies are recognized as bribery tools in various contexts, including elections. The decentralized nature and pseudonymous features of cryptocurrencies have raised concerns about their potential misuse for illicit activities, particularly for bribing individuals.

The digital nature of cryptocurrencies enables fast and relatively anonymous transactions, allowing individuals to exploit them to illegitimately influence elections. To address this issue, authorities and regulatory institutions are increasingly vigilant in monitoring and preventing the misuse of cryptocurrencies for bribery, aiming to preserve the integrity of elections and democratic processes.