UBI Taiwan, a Bitcoin and Virtual Asset Development Association, was invited by Legislator Dr. Ko Ju-Chun to participate in a dialogue at the Legislative Yuan. The event featured Dr. Sarath Davala, chair of BIEN, one of the world’s leading advocates for universal basic income. The discussion highlighted the urgency of UBI in the age of artificial intelligence and explored ideas for combining UBI with blockchain technology.
As AI technology advances rapidly, automation threatens traditional labor markets and economic models. Participants asked how to build a social safety net robust enough to meet future challenges. The gathering brought together lawmakers, blockchain enthusiasts, UBI Taiwan, and BIEN’s chair to chart a practical path forward for Taiwan.
The core focus shifted from philosophical debates to the revolutionary potential of integrating UBI with blockchain and cryptocurrency as Taiwan seeks a viable path forward. The conversation framed UBI as a tool to address widening inequality amid accelerating automation.
UBI Taiwan presented stark data: real wages in Taiwan have stagnated over the past two decades, while the stock market index has surged fivefold and housing prices have more than tripled. The wealth gap is at a historic high, with wealth concentrating among a few technology giants and capitalists, leaving many young people financially vulnerable. UBI is proposed as a direct response to this systemic crisis, seen as essential to social stability and individual dignity.
Proposals outlined how blockchain can improve UBI delivery with efficiency, transparency, and programmable rules. One example cites the use of stablecoins by international charities for cross-border donations. Another idea envisions a Universal Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, with smart contracts locking funds and releasing them only at milestones such as adulthood or retirement. Smart contracts could implement clawback mechanisms to reclaim portions of benefits from high earners during tax filing, improving fiscal flexibility and sustainability.
Dr. Davala shared Africa’s experiences with UBI and cryptocurrency, noting that even in underdeveloped regions, mobile SIM wallets can enable direct asset delivery to communities. This experience underscores Taiwan’s potential, given its high smartphone penetration, low device costs, and extensive internet access. Taiwan’s position as a Tech Island supports a fully digitized UBI framework that could scale globally.
A notable trend is the growing synergy between philanthropic organizations and the blockchain community. At the Asia Blockchain Summit, Taiwan’s largest blockchain conference, Master Cheng Yen of the Tzu Chi Foundation delivered an opening address that linked the decentralized ethos of blockchain with charitable values. The shared logic is that resources should reach those in need directly and efficiently, whether through UBI or aid, with blockchain’s decentralization, transparency, and immutability addressing long-standing trust and efficiency challenges. When UBI incorporates blockchain, it can transcend a government program and become a broader social innovation movement driven by civil society, industry groups, and nonprofits.
The discussions reflect a broader shift in thinking about the future of work. The social contract built on labor to earn a livelihood is being challenged by AI-powered automation. As automation expands, questions arise about what underpins value and a dignified existence. Proponents argue that time is on UBI’s side and that blockchain can help deliver a scalable, borderless safety net as part of a broader human-AI coexistence design.
About UBI Taiwan: Founded in 2017, UBI Taiwan is a non-profit policy advocacy organization focused on exploring and implementing UBI solutions. It advocates for a regular, unconditional cash grant from the state to secure basic livelihood and economic dignity, supported by research, experiments, and public campaigns for a fairer and more sustainable future.
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