Taiwan Blocks Coinbase and Kalshi Over Election Betting Concerns

The restrictions follow a request from Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, which identified potential violations of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. Following a New Taipei court ruling, the island’s communications regulator and internet registry were authorized to prevent local users from reaching the platforms. While Coinbase acknowledged the disruption and confirmed it is investigating the cause, Kalshi stated that its trading services were never available to residents in Taiwan.

Taiwanese law mandates strict penalties for election-related wagering, with operators facing up to five years in prison for running gambling businesses. Under Article 103-1 of the Election and Recall Act, authorities have ramped up scrutiny of online platforms as they prepare for the first island-wide contest since President Lai Ching-te took office. While officials expressed concern regarding foreign influence, they have not publicly linked either Coinbase or Kalshi to specific Chinese funding or identified particular transactions tied to illegal bets. The blocks remain in place as the government seeks to mitigate risks of underground financial activity influencing local municipal and councilor elections.