I just saw the list of virtual currency platform operators published by Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission, and this round of VASP registration is really getting serious. In the September review, 9 operators successfully passed (including better-known ones like MaiCoin, BitoPro, and XREX), but at the same time, 18 were directly removed, meaning they can no longer provide virtual asset services.

It seems the FSC is taking it seriously to crack down on this market. Under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, operators must complete anti-money-laundering registration in order to operate legally. If they keep doing business without registration, they face, at the light end, fines; at the severe end, they could face criminal imprisonment of up to 2 years. The 18 companies that were eliminated are probably sweating bullets right now—they can only stop their related operations.

For investors, the release of the list of virtual currency platform operators is a sort of screening mechanism. At least the 9 operators that passed already meet international anti-money-laundering standards, so it’s relatively reassuring. But a reminder as well: if the platform you’re using isn’t on the list, you may need to consider moving. Compliance is no longer a choice—it’s a requirement for survival.