The New Taipei District Court issued an order on October 15, 2026, to block access to the websites of Coinbase and Kalshi. The decision follows reports of illegal wagering on local election results, which are scheduled for November 28, 2026.
The legal basis for the restriction is the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, which prohibits gambling on election outcomes for profit. Users began reporting access issues as early as October 14, 2026, with traffic being redirected to notices regarding the court order.
Taiwanese authorities, including the Criminal Investigation Bureau, stated that online betting poses a threat to the electoral process and could facilitate foreign interference. While web access to Coinbase was restricted, some users reported that the mobile application remained accessible.
Coinbase and Kalshi collaborate on prediction markets, including contracts related to Taiwanese local races. Taiwan has previously blocked Polymarket under the same legislation. A 2023 amendment to the election act increased penalties, with potential prison terms of up to six months for bettors and five years for operators.
