Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan’s communications regulator has blocked the websites of prediction market exchange Kalshi and cryptocurrency platform Coinbase following an order from a New Taipei court.
According to global business media outlet Bloomberg, this follows a move against the platforms by Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, which explained that they are suspected of violating the Public Officials Election and Recall Act prohibiting profit-based gambling on the outcome of an election.
It added that restrictions had been requested to protect election integrity and prevent “overseas interference,” as per the Bloomberg report.
Taiwan will go to the polls on 28 November 2026 to elect local government officials including city mayors, county magistrates and local councillors.
Kalshi has reportedly denied that it allows trading in Taiwan while Coinbase said it was investigating the matter following reports that some users were having access issues.
Bloomberg noted that, under a 2023 amendment to Taiwan’s election act, anyone placing bets on the outcome of an election can face up to six months in prison while those offering the bet can be jailed for up to five years.
Kalshi joins Polymarket among the trading platforms now blocked by authorities in Taiwan.
