Taiwan Cards And Payments Market

Taiwan Cards and Payments Market Size

The Taiwan cards and payments market size was valued at USD 168 billion in 2024. This market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% from 2025 to 2033 and be worth USD 465.88 billion by 2033 from USD 188.16 billion in 2025.

MARKET DRIVERS

High Smartphone Penetration and Mobile Payment Growth

One of the key drivers of Taiwan’s cards and payments market is the widespread adoption of smartphones, which has significantly accelerated the use of mobile payment solutions. The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) reported that in 2023, mobile payment transaction value exceeded NT$1.8 trillion (approximately US$59 billion), which is reflecting a year-over-year growth of 18%. Additionally, contactless card transactions grew by 24% during the same period, according to data from Mastercard. These trends indicate a structural shift in consumer behavior toward convenience-driven, secure, and fast digital payment methods, underpinned by robust telecom infrastructure and strong e-commerce growth. As younger generations continue to favor mobile-first payment options, the cards and payments market in Taiwan is poised for continued expansion.

Government Support for Cashless Transactions and Digital Financial Inclusion

Another major driver of the cards and payments sector in Taiwan is the proactive role played by the government in promoting cashless transactions and enhancing financial inclusion. In 2023, the Ministry of Finance launched the “E-Payment 2.0” initiative, aimed at expanding digital payment usage across all demographics and regions. Under this program, subsidies were provided to merchants adopting electronic payment systems, and consumers were incentivized through tax rebates and cashback promotions tied to digital transactions. DGBAS reported that in 2023, cashless transaction volume accounted for 76% of total retail sales, up from 64% in 2020. Moreover, the FSC revealed that the number of registered users on electronic payment platforms surpassed 32 million nearly the entire adult population by the end of 2023. These initiatives have not only boosted digital payment adoption but also laid the groundwork for broader financial innovation, including open banking and real-time interbank transfers, further strengthening the ecosystem for cards and digital payments in Taiwan.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Fragmentation Among Multiple Electronic Payment Platforms

A significant restraint on Taiwan’s cards and payments market is the fragmentation caused by the coexistence of multiple competing electronic payment platforms. As of 2023, there were over 12 licensed electronic payment institutions operating in the country, including LINE Pay, JkoPay, iCashPay, and TSMobile, each with its own user base and merchant network. This multiplicity leads to interoperability challenges and limits economies of scale. Unlike markets with dominant unified payment systems (e.g., Alipay in China or PayNow in Singapore), Taiwan’s fragmented landscape makes it difficult to build a cohesive national digital payment infrastructure.

Persistent Cash Dependency in Traditional Retail and Older Generations

Despite rising digital payment adoption, a notable portion of the population in Taiwan still prefers cash, particularly among older consumers and traditional retailers. While urban centers like Taipei and Taichung are increasingly cashless, smaller towns and family-run businesses remain hesitant to adopt new payment technologies due to perceived complexity and cost barriers. This behavioral inertia poses a challenge to achieving full digital transformation in the payments sector, which is requiring targeted education campaigns and policy incentives to bridge the generational and regional divide.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Expansion of Open Banking and API-Driven Financial Services

A transformative opportunity in Taiwan's cards and payments market lies in the development of open banking and API-driven financial services. Since the official launch of open banking in 2019, supported by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), banks have been progressively opening their APIs to third-party service providers, enabling innovative customer-centric solutions. This integration allows fintech firms to offer personalized budgeting tools, instant loan approvals, and consolidated payment gateways that enhance user experience. For instance, Cathay United Bank partnered with LINE Pay to enable seamless cross-platform fund transfers, while E.SUN Bank collaborated with Uber Eats for real-time transaction data sharing. As consumer trust in these services grows, open banking is expected to drive greater competition and diversification in the payment landscape by offering new revenue streams for both traditional banks and emerging fintech players.

Growing Demand for Cross-Border Payment Solutions Due to Tourism and Trade

With Taiwan’s increasing integration into global trade and tourism, there is a growing demand for efficient cross-border payment solutions, presenting a major opportunity for the cards and payments industry. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 2023, outbound tourist numbers reached approximately 13.2 million, a rebound following pandemic-related travel restrictions. This resurgence has driven demand for multi-currency debit and credit cards, contactless international payment compatibility, and low-fee remittance services. Additionally, Taiwan’s export-oriented economy generated US$475 billion in goods exports in 2023, according to the Directorate-General of Customs, necessitating streamlined B2B cross-border payment systems. Banks such as CTBC and Fubon have introduced enhanced international payment features, including dynamic currency conversion and SWIFT GPI integrations, to cater to this demand.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Rising Cybersecurity Threats Targeting Digital Payment Systems

As digital payment adoption accelerates in Taiwan, the sector faces a growing challenge from cyber threats targeting online and mobile payment systems. According to the National Cyber Security Division under the Ministry of Digital Affairs, cyber incidents targeting financial institutions increased by 31% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Phishing scams, malware attacks, and unauthorized access to mobile wallets have become more sophisticated, which is posing risks to both consumers and financial service providers. As a result, the rising threat landscape presents a major obstacle to building sustained consumer confidence in digital payments and requires ongoing investment in secure infrastructure and public education.

Regulatory Hurdles and Licensing Complexity for Emerging Fintech Players

The evolving regulatory environment in Taiwan, while supportive of financial innovation, presents a challenge for emerging fintech companies seeking to enter the cards and payments market. The implementation of the Electronic Payment Institution Management Act and related compliance requirements has led to increased operational costs and lengthy approval timelines for new entrants. Additionally, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) enforces strict capital adequacy ratios and data localization rules, limiting foreign fintech firms’ ability to operate seamlessly. These constraints hinder innovation and reduce competition, which is potentially slowing the pace of digital transformation in Taiwan’s payment landscape unless further regulatory streamlining is pursued.

MARKET KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• The government initiatives supporting electronic payments like legalized third-party payment platforms by amending the Act Governing Electronic Payment Institutions, allowing non-banking companies to offer third-party electronic payment services and a dedicated Fintech development fund of TWD1bn ($30.8m) by Taiwan Financial Supervisory Commission.
• The launch of Samsung Pay with the collaboration of seven Taiwanese banks and Android Pay in collaboration with Chinatrust Commercial Bank (CTBC Bank) and First Commercial Bank are the results of growing mobile payments in the country and extending the use of smartphones.
• The regulation passed by the Financial Supervisory Commission barred companies not registered in Taiwan from processing any domestic payments under the Electronics Payment Processing Institutions Act, and this led to the suspension of PayPal services in the nation.

KEY MARKET PARTICIPANTS

Top players in the Taiwan cards and payments market include Cathay United Bank, First Commercial Bank, Taiwan Cooperative Bank, Hua Nan Bank, Chang Hwa Bank, CTBC Bank, E.Sun Bank, Taishin Bank, Citibank, and SmartPay.