Taiwan reportedly blocks Coinbase and Kalshi over suspected election betting
Taiwan’s election legislation imposes prison sentences of up to six months for bettors and five years for gambling operators.
Taiwan.- Taiwanese authorities have restricted access to cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and prediction market operator Kalshi over alleged election betting ahead of polls scheduled for November 28. According to Bloomberg, the restrictions were authorised by a court in New Taipei following an application by Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau. The order allows the communications regulator and the Taiwan Network Information Centre to block domestic access to the platforms,
The bureau reportedly suspects the platforms may have violated the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, which prohibits operating gambling activities for profit based on election or recall results. It said the restrictions were sought to protect electoral integrity and prevent overseas interference but provided no further details of alleged interference involving either platform.
Coinbase confirmed that some users in Taiwan were unable to access its website and said it was investigating the issue. Kalshi has previously listed Taiwan as a restricted jurisdiction. Authorities have not alleged that either platform directly interfered in the elections.
A 2023 amendment to Taiwanese election law introduced penalties of up to six months in prison for bettors and up to five years for gambling operators.
