Taiwan has restricted access to Coinbase and Kalshi over suspected illegal election betting ahead of its November 28 elections. The Criminal Investigation Bureau sought a court order under the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, according to an October 16 report on a New Taipei court ruling.
Regulators received authority to block access to both websites as investigators examined possible election gambling violations. Neither company faces criminal charges over the restrictions.
Coinbase users began reporting access problems on October 14. The exchange acknowledged the disruption and started investigating. Kalshi said its trading services were unavailable to customers in Taiwan.
Court Order Targets Election Betting Concerns
The bureau requested the restrictions amid concerns about online wagers tied to political outcomes. Officials said the action aimed to protect election integrity and prevent overseas interference before voters head to the polls.
Still, authorities did not explain which activity on either platform prompted the request. Public reports identified no specific transactions involving unlawful election bets. The available records also left the exact date of court authorization unclear.
The ruling empowered Taiwan's communications regulator and internet registry to restrict access. Coinbase confirmed that Taiwanese users could not reach its website, but offered no timeline for restoring service.
Meanwhile, Kalshi maintained that it does not permit customers in Taiwan to trade. Its response did not acknowledge facilitating unlawful wagers. What activity prompted investigators to seek restrictions against both platforms?
Coinbase expanded its Kalshi-powered prediction markets across all 50 U.S. states in January 2026. Those products cover economic reports, sports and other events. Their U.S. availability does not establish that Coinbase offered the same contracts in Taiwan.
Taiwan Election Gambling Laws Carry Prison Terms
Taiwan strengthened restrictions on election gambling in June 2023. Amendments established penalties for betting on election and recall results, including wagers conducted through online services and telecommunications networks.
Under Article 103-1 of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, unlawful bettors face up to six months in prison and fines reaching NT$100,000. Operators of prohibited gambling businesses face up to five years and fines reaching NT$500,000.
Authorities have pursued election-related betting cases before. In January 2024, the Ministry of Justice reported 2,607 election-related criminal cases from the preceding election period. These included 1,222 suspected gambling cases involving 1,103 people.
Election gambling accounted for the largest reported offense category. Investigators focused on underground networks that collected wagers and transferred payments, including activity conducted online.
Taiwan has also previously blocked Polymarket over election gambling concerns. The restrictions cover prohibited political wagers regardless of whether participants use cryptocurrency or other payment methods.
Read More: Kalshi CEO Claims Public Trades Make Insider Trading Easier to Detect
Foreign Interference Concerns Shape Election Preparations
The Criminal Investigation Bureau cited overseas interference when requesting website blocks. Separately, officials warned that underground financial channels could move money from mainland China into Taiwan for political influence.
Authorities have not accused Coinbase or Kalshi of receiving such financing. They also have not publicly established any link between the platforms and mainland Chinese funds.
In the United States, Kalshi operates under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight. Yet state regulators have challenged its sports event contracts. Federal court decisions in New York and Nevada allowed related state enforcement disputes to continue.
Those cases concern sports contracts rather than Taiwan's election betting rules. Kalshi argues that federal commodities law governs its U.S. contracts.
On November 28, Taiwanese voters will choose mayors, council members and village chiefs. The contest will be the first island-wide election since President Lai Ching-te took office in May 2024.
Authorities have not announced whether the website restrictions will continue after the election. Coinbase has not set a date for access to resume.
Final Thoughts
Taiwan's restrictions on Coinbase and Kalshi follow concerns about unlawful election betting ahead of November's local elections. Although authorities secured a court order, they have not disclosed specific suspicious transactions or announced charges against either company. The duration of the website restrictions remains uncertain.