Taiwan Blocks Coinbase and Kalshi Over Election Betting Suspicions
What Authorities Did as Taiwan Blocks Coinbase and Kalshi
Taiwan has blocked access to Coinbase and Kalshi. The Criminal Investigation Bureau requested the move. The New Taipei District Court approved it on suspicion of election betting.
The restrictions began on October 14, weeks before the local elections. Some users were barred from the crypto exchange.
The ruling also shows how important prediction markets are in election campaigns. It also shows what authorities are doing about election betting.
The court let the communications regulator and the internet registry bar access from inside the island. Bloomberg reported the ruling on October 15, 2026.
At a glance, Taiwan blocks Coinbase and Kalshi as of October 16, 2026:
Taiwan Blocks Coinbase and Kalshi: Key Details
Item | Details |
Court | New Taipei District Court |
Requesting Authority | Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) |
Local Election Date | November 28, 2026 |
Maximum Penalty for Bettors | Up to 6 months in prison |
Maximum Penalty for Operators | Up to 5 years in prison |
Source: Bloomberg report of the court ruling, October 15, 2026
What Reason Does the CIB Give About Taiwan Blocks Coinbase and Kalshi?
The CIB says the websites may break the Public Officials Electoral and Recall Act. That law bans for-profit betting on vote results. The agency cited electoral integrity and foreign meddling. It gave no details.
Coinbase said it is looking into access issues. Kalshi, a prediction market, said it does not allow trading in China. Officials did not say either company handled money from China.
That is the main reason Taiwan blocks Coinbase and Kalshi.
Is Election Betting Illegal in Taiwan?
Yes. The law bans for-profit betting on poll results. Bettors face up to six months in prison. Operators face up to five years. The exchange offers event contracts from the prediction market through a partnership.
The market lists contracts on the Taipei mayoral race. They settle on results from the island’s Central Election Commission. Polymarket, a rival, is also blocked. Prosecutors began a probe in April into reported betting on local polls.
Source: The Straits Times report about crypto news today, published Oct 16, 2026, 11:08 AM
What Could Change the Outcome Before the Vote?
The Taiwan case suggests that US regulatory status may not shield event contracts from local laws. The reports do not say how long the limits last. They also do not say whether either firm will challenge the order.
If more regulators follow, similar blocks may spread before other votes. A quiet reversal would point to a narrow case. No report links the order to a price move in the crypto market news. So no outcome is certain.
What the Order Means for Platforms and Users
Taiwan blocks Coinbase and Kalshi to keep political betting away from the November 28 vote. In crypto news today, the order shows how local rules can reach global platforms. Neither firm has said how it will respond.
Did It Affect the Crypto Market?
The latest cryptocurrency news is that Taiwan has blocked two platforms, Coinbase and Kalshi, over alleged election betting. The move may raise concerns about regulatory risk for crypto platforms.
However, no verified evidence shows a direct impact on Bitcoin, Ethereum, or the wider crypto market.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not investment, legal, or financial advice. Crypto assets and prediction markets carry risk, including loss of capital. Rules may change at any time.
