Taiwan has blocked the Web sites of Coinbase Global Inc and Kalshi Inc over suspected election betting, weeks before local polls that will test support for President William Lai’s (賴清德) government.
A New Taipei City court authorized the Taiwanese communications regulator and Internet registry to bar domestic access to the platforms, according to a ruling seen by Bloomberg News. Some Coinbase users in Taiwan reported being unable to access the site since Wednesday.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau, which sought the order, said in response to questions from Bloomberg that the Web sites were suspected of violating the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法). The law prohibits operating gambling for profit based on the outcome of an election or recall.
A smartphone with displayed Coinbase logo and representation of cryptocurrencies are placed on a keyboard in this illustration taken on June 8, 2023.
Photo: Reuters
Coinbase and Kalshi didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The bureau said it requested the restrictions to protect election integrity and prevent “overseas interference,” without giving further details. Taiwanese authorities have separately warned that money from mainland China could enter the island through underground financial channels and be used to influence elections.
The government has stepped up scrutiny of illicit financial flows ahead of the Nov. 28 vote, including underground gambling operations. Authorities haven’t alleged that Coinbase or Kalshi handled funds from China.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside normal office hours.
Taiwan is among the jurisdictions that criminalize election wagering. Under a 2023 amendment to the election act, bettors can face as long as six months in prison, while gambling operators can receive up to five years.
Authorities have increasingly targeted election wagering on prediction markets. Polymarket, the main rival to Kalshi, has also been blocked in Taiwan. Cryptocurrencies are often used to place bets on such platforms.
Taiwanese voters will choose local officials ranging from mayors and city councilors to village chiefs. The elections will be the first island-wide electoral test for Lai since he took office in 2024 and could offer an early indication of the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election.