Taiwan has blocked domestic access to the websites of Coinbase and Kalshi. As of mid-October 2026, a New Taipei court authorized the communications regulator and internet registry to restrict the platforms weeks ahead of local elections on November 28. Authorities cited suspected election betting that could violate the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. Some Coinbase users in Taiwan reported being unable to reach the site since around October 14.
The restrictions continue to focus on election integrity concerns. They have limited access for local users while the platforms remain available outside Taiwan. Existing reports note the Criminal Investigation Bureau requested the order to prevent overseas interference. Market observers and local users rely partly on the court ruling while awaiting further details. This highlights the difference between general crypto platform access and activities viewed as election-related wagering under Taiwanese law.
The Drivers of the Current Situation
The main issue is the court-backed decision to block Coinbase and Kalshi. The Criminal Investigation Bureau sought the restrictions over suspected violations of rules that prohibit operating gambling for profit based on election or recall outcomes. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of illicit financial flows ahead of the November polls. No specific bets or charges against the companies were detailed in initial reports.
Related measures have limited the scope to website access in Taiwan. Coinbase said it is investigating access issues reported by some users. Kalshi stated that trading is not available in Taiwan. Only the court authorization and the stated election-integrity rationale are confirmed. Broader government warnings about potential foreign money influencing the vote contributed to the action.
Continued monitoring requires observation of any expansions of the block or official responses from the platforms. Limited public detail on the exact evidence forms a narrower path for assessing the full basis of the order. Authorities and the companies are actively addressing the situation. The situation is a targeted access restriction tied to election betting fears ahead of local polls.
Impact and Broader Context
Questions about Taiwan blocking Coinbase and Kalshi over election betting fears keep growing. The restrictions create uncertainty for local users seeking access to the platforms. They also elevate attention on how jurisdictions treat prediction markets and crypto services near elections. Regulators, platform operators, and users continue to assess the implications.
The issue drives debate on election integrity and cross-border platform access. It raises questions about the enforcement of anti-gambling rules on international sites, the limits of website blocking as a tool, risks of overseas interference claims, effects on local crypto and prediction-market activity, and competition between regulated domestic options and foreign platforms. Authorities stress the goal of protecting the electoral process. Coverage notes that similar restrictions have previously applied to other prediction markets such as Polymarket.
The mid-October court order forced immediate access changes for users in Taiwan. The current regulatory review shows how the November 28 elections and any further enforcement steps will shape the duration and scope of the blocks.
New statements from the companies, updates to the court order, or additional platform restrictions will clarify the ongoing impact.
This analysis uses contemporaneous reports of the court ruling and official statements. Access status and any related investigations remain subject to further developments.