Taiwan Blocks Coinbase And Kalshi Over Suspected Election Betting Ahead Of November Polls
In Brief
Taiwan has blocked Coinbase and Kalshi over suspected election betting ahead of November polls, following a recent Polymarket restriction.
Taiwan has restricted domestic access to the websites of U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase and prediction-market platform Kalshi, citing suspected betting on election outcomes. The measure comes weeks before local elections in November, which are expected to test public support for President Lai Ching-te’s government.
According to a Bloomberg report published on October 15, the New Taipei District Court approved a request from the Criminal Investigation Bureau. The ruling authorizes Taiwan’s communications regulator and internet registry to bar access to both platforms from within the country. Some Coinbase users in Taiwan reported being unable to open the site since October 14, which suggests the restrictions have already taken effect.
Prediction markets allow users to trade contracts tied to the outcome of real-world events, including elections. Because contract prices are often read as a probability estimate, such platforms have gained attention in both the crypto industry and mainstream finance. Their legal status, however, remains inconsistent across jurisdictions.
Legal Basis and Wider Pattern of Restrictions
The Criminal Investigation Bureau argues that the two platforms violated the Civil Servants Election and Recall Act. Authorities said the block is intended to protect the fairness of the vote and to prevent “foreign interference.” The second justification is notable given Taiwan’s position as a target of influence campaigns, which makes the integrity of its elections a recurring security concern.
The legislation penalizes both participants and operators. Individuals who bet on election outcomes can face up to six months in prison, while those running such activity for profit can be sentenced to as long as five years. The distinction places the heaviest liability on platforms, which may explain why enforcement has focused on the sites themselves rather than on individual users.
The decision is not an isolated one. Taiwan has also recently blocked access to Polymarket, a major competitor of Kalshi. Taken together, the actions suggest a consistent approach in which authorities treat election-related event contracts as a form of illegal gambling, regardless of whether the operator is based abroad or presents itself as a regulated financial venue.
The case also illustrates a difficulty for Coinbase, which is primarily a crypto exchange rather than a dedicated betting service. Its inclusion indicates that regulators may be willing to restrict broader platforms when they are believed to offer access to election-related markets. For the industry, the episode shows the growing friction between globally accessible prediction markets and national election laws, particularly in the run-up to politically sensitive votes.
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About The Author
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in crypto, AI, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
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Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in crypto, AI, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
