Registration for “Hakka Currency” of 1000 NTD Starts on July 1! Lottery, Collection, and Eligibility Process at a Glance
Recently, the Hakka Affairs Council of Taiwan will distribute “Hakka Currency,” totaling 280,000 pieces, each worth 1,000 New Taiwan Dollars. Starting today (July 2), eligible individuals can begin the registration process, with selected recipients expected to have this digital voucher credited to their applications for use on August 1.
It is noteworthy that this Hakka Currency initiative is not only a measure to promote Hakka culture but also plays a vital role in the development of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in Taiwan. The central bank will launch the first practical application of CBDC through the distribution and use of Hakka Currency, marking a crucial step in Taiwan’s digital financial infrastructure.
Eligibility for Collection
Certificate Holders of Hakka Language Proficiency: There are no age restrictions; as long as individuals pass any level of Hakka language proficiency certification for the year 2025, they are eligible. Those who pass certifications in different dialects can also collect separately. The eligible members have already received physical QR Code letters for Hakka Currency from the council starting July 1.
Recognized Family Members of Hakka Language: Certified individuals will be directly included as recipients. If recognition was originally obtained through video submissions, they can update their “Speaking Hakka Life” videos, which will be verified and included in the distribution list. The above two categories do not need to register; they will gradually receive physical Hakka Currency QR Codes sent by registered mail starting July 1.
General Public (Ages 18 to 49): They must complete registration through the App during the designated registration period, and can only use it after being selected in the lottery.
Registration and Lottery Schedule
Registration Period
From 9:00 AM on July 1 to 12:00 PM on July 30. The public can register through the digital wallet apps of 17 cooperating banks or electronic payment institutions.
The cooperating financial and electronic payment institutions include Taiwan Bank, Taitung Bank, Hsinchu Bank, First Bank, Hua Nan Bank, Chang Hwa Bank, Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank, Mega International Commercial Bank, Taiwan Business Bank, Agricultural Bank of Taiwan, Chunghwa Post, Yuanta Bank, SinoPac Bank, E.SUN Bank, Taishin Bank, Cathay United Bank, and EasyCard.
If individuals do not have accounts with the aforementioned banks, they can register EasyCard accounts using financial accounts from Taipei Fubon, Cathay United, Kaohsiung Bank, O-Bank, Taichung Commercial Bank, Ruixing Bank, Shin Kong Bank, Federal Bank, Far Eastern International Bank, KGI Bank, Lianxin Bank, and Nanfang Agricultural Center.
Staggered Registration (July 1 to July 5)
To disperse the registration flow, staggered registration will be based on the last digit of the ID number:
- July 1 (Tue): Last digit 0, 1
- July 2 (Wed): Last digit 2, 3 (Applicable today)
- July 3 (Thu): Last digit 4, 5
- July 4 (Fri): Last digit 6, 7
- July 5 (Sat): Last digit 8, 9
Full Registration (July 6 to July 30)
From July 6 to 12:00 PM on July 30, all eligible individuals can register.
Lottery Time:
On July 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM, the Hakka Affairs Council will conduct a lottery based on the last digit of the ID number and publish the results on the event website.
Consumption and Usage
Issuance Date
The “Hakka Currency Digital Voucher” for selected recipients will be successfully credited to the app on August 1.
Usage Scope
Individuals can use the Hakka Currency at participating stores marked with the “I Speak Hakka” sign in 11 counties and cities nationwide (Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Miaoli County, Taichung City, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Hualien County, Taitung County) and 70 key Hakka cultural development areas.
Checkout Method
At the store, simply present the Hakka Currency QR code for scanning by the merchant, or scan the merchant’s TWQR and input the spending amount to complete the redemption. Hakka Currency can be used multiple times until the amount is exhausted.
Usage Period
From August 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Bonus Offers
To encourage active registration among individuals aged 18 to 49, the Hakka Affairs Council has collaborated with 15 financial institutions to offer an additional 100 NTD bonus to those selected through priority registration, totaling 45,000 pieces available on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies last. (Actual bonus offers are subject to the descriptions provided by each institution.)
The Significant Implication Behind Hakka Currency: A Practical Test of CBDC
The issuance of Hakka Currency is not only a cultural promotion and consumption stimulation measure; it also plays a key role in the development of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in Taiwan. The “Hakka Currency,” as the first retail CBDC practical application case, has the primary task of accumulating practical experience and verifying the platform’s feasibility. In other words, the central bank’s research on CBDC has officially entered the practical stage.
What is Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)?
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is a digital form of legal tender issued by the central bank for use by the general public and businesses. It is a liability of the central bank, just like the paper money and coins currently in circulation, and it holds legal tender status, providing a stable and central bank-supported digital payment tool.
From September 2020 to June 2022, the Taiwan Central Bank collaborated with external technical teams and banks to complete the “Retail CBDC Pilot Program” and successfully developed a “Dual-Layer CBDC Prototype Platform.”
The first layer in the dual-layer structure is the central bank. The central bank is the issuer of CBDC, responsible for minting (issuing) the digital form of CBDC, which is then distributed to the next layer of financial institutions.
The second layer comprises intermediary institutions such as commercial banks. These institutions include commercial banks and electronic payment service providers that we interact with daily. After obtaining CBDC from the central bank, they further provide services to the general public and businesses.
For example:
- Wallet Opening: Just like opening an account at a bank, the public can open a digital wallet with these institutions to store and manage CBDC.
- Payment Services: Individuals can use these digital wallets for everyday consumption, transfers, and other payment activities.
To enhance the efficiency and integration of the government’s distribution of digital vouchers, the Taiwan Central Bank has specially established a “Digital Public Infrastructure Financial Flow Platform” that processes financial flows. This platform will cooperate with the “Distribution Platform” overseen by the Digital Development Ministry, creating a complete system that will allow for smoother and more efficient digital processes when the government distributes various digital subsidies or rebates in the future. The current “Hakka Currency” initiative is the first practical application case of this integrated system.
The central bank has stated that it will collect user feedback during the trial period of Hakka Currency to continuously optimize platform functionality and strengthen its security, efficiency, and user-friendliness, laying the technological and institutional foundation for the future comprehensive implementation of retail CBDC.