Taiwan has blocked domestic access to Coinbase and Kalshi websites over suspected violations of election gambling laws ahead of the country’s November 28, 2026 local elections. A New Taipei court authorized the restrictions after a request from the Criminal Investigation Bureau, which raised concerns about illegal election betting and potential foreign interference.
According to Bloomberg, the court authorized Taiwan’s communications regulator and internet registry to restrict access to both platforms. The order relates to suspected violations of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, which prohibits certain forms of gambling on election and recall outcomes.
Coinbase Reports Access Problems as Kalshi Confirms Taiwan Restrictions
Some Coinbase users in Taiwan reported being unable to access the exchange’s website beginning October 14. Coinbase acknowledged the disruption and said it was investigating.
In a statement to MT Newswires, Coinbase said it was unaware it had received formal notice of the restriction. The company did not provide a timeline for restoring website access.
Kalshi separately confirmed that Taiwan was already a restricted jurisdiction for its services. The company maintained that customers in Taiwan were not permitted to trade on its platform.
The reported restrictions concern website access and do not mean every service offered by either company is unavailable. Authorities have not publicly announced criminal charges against Coinbase or Kalshi in connection with the case.
Authorities Cite Election Integrity and Foreign Interference Concerns
Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau requested the restrictions to protect election integrity and prevent potential overseas interference ahead of the November 28 vote.
However, officials did not publicly identify specific transactions or election-related contracts that prompted the request. The available reporting also does not establish whether either platform facilitated prohibited wagers involving Taiwanese elections.
Taiwanese authorities have separately warned that funds originating from mainland China could enter the country through underground financial channels and potentially influence political activity.
Neither Coinbase nor Kalshi has been accused of handling such funds in connection with the website restrictions.
Taiwan has previously restricted access to Polymarket, another major prediction market platform, over concerns about election gambling. The latest action extends regulatory scrutiny to Coinbase and Kalshi, although Kalshi maintains that it does not serve Taiwanese traders.
Taiwan’s Election Gambling Laws Carry Prison Sentences
Taiwan strengthened its election gambling laws in June 2023, introducing specific penalties for betting on election and recall outcomes through online platforms and other channels.
Under Article 103-1 of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, individuals convicted of prohibited election gambling can face up to six months in prison, short-term detention or fines of up to NT$100,000.
Those who provide gambling venues or organize election betting for profit can face prison sentences of up to five years and fines of up to NT$500,000.
The legislation explicitly covers wagers placed through telecommunications equipment, electronic communications and the internet. It also exempts gambling involving items intended only for temporary amusement.
These provisions apply to qualifying election gambling activities, whether transactions involve cryptocurrency or conventional payment methods.
November Elections Bring Increased Scrutiny of Prediction Markets
Taiwan’s local elections are scheduled for November 28, 2026, when voters will elect mayors, city councilors, village chiefs and other local officials.
The elections will be the first island-wide electoral contest since President Lai Ching-te took office in 2024. Authorities have increased their attention to suspected election gambling and unauthorized financial activity ahead of the vote.
Prediction markets face different regulatory treatment across jurisdictions. In the United States, Kalshi operates under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight, although some of its event contracts remain subject to legal disputes involving state gambling regulators.
Taiwan’s restrictions reflect its separate legal approach to election wagering. The court order does not establish that Coinbase or Kalshi violated the law, and authorities have not confirmed how long the website restrictions will remain in place.
