Close it's not the Supreme Court, and it's not a final conviction, it's a pre-election blocking order.
*Verified - Oct 14-15, 2026:*$AGT $ICNT $TIA
New Taipei District Court* (not highest court) authorized Taiwan's *communications regulator (NCC) and internet registry (TWNIC)* to restrict domestic access to *Coinbase.com and http://Kalshi.com*
- Requested by *Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB)* citing suspected violation of *Public Officials Election and Recall Act* - law that bans *for-profit gambling on election/recall outcomes*. Operator penalty up to *5 years prison*, bettor up to 6 months after 2023 amendment.
- Users first reported *Coinbase website unreachable Oct 14*, redirected to court-order notice. Mobile app still worked for some. *Coinbase said investigating* access issues.
- *Kalshi said trading not available in Taiwan* anyway, but its contracts *settle on Taiwan Central Election Commission results* - including *Taipei mayoral race Nov 28*. That link triggered CIB.
*Why both together:*
- *Coinbase partners with Kalshi* (Jan 2026 rollout to all 50 US states) to offer prediction-market contracts. Bloomberg reports contracts tied specifically to Taiwanese local races existed on Kalshi/Coinbase platform.
*Election context:*
- *Nov 28, 2026 local elections* - mayors, city councillors, village chiefs - first island-wide test for *President Lai Ching-te* since 2024. Results preview 2028 presidential.
- CIB rationale: "protect election integrity and prevent overseas interference" - referencing concern mainland China funds could flow via illegal channels to influence vote. *No evidence presented linking Coinbase/Kalshi to China funding.*
- Same law was used to *block Polymarket in May 2026* (Miaoli court) and prosecutors searched *4 suspected Polymarket bettors April 15* over mayoral-seat party bet. One Hsinchu man betting *NT$227 (∼$7) on KMT win* got deferred prosecution.
This is *website DNS block pending investigation*, not guilty verdict. Polymarket also named in some reports as included.
*Verified - Oct 14-15, 2026:*$AGT $ICNT $TIA
New Taipei District Court* (not highest court) authorized Taiwan's *communications regulator (NCC) and internet registry (TWNIC)* to restrict domestic access to *Coinbase.com and http://Kalshi.com*
- Requested by *Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB)* citing suspected violation of *Public Officials Election and Recall Act* - law that bans *for-profit gambling on election/recall outcomes*. Operator penalty up to *5 years prison*, bettor up to 6 months after 2023 amendment.
- Users first reported *Coinbase website unreachable Oct 14*, redirected to court-order notice. Mobile app still worked for some. *Coinbase said investigating* access issues.
- *Kalshi said trading not available in Taiwan* anyway, but its contracts *settle on Taiwan Central Election Commission results* - including *Taipei mayoral race Nov 28*. That link triggered CIB.
*Why both together:*
- *Coinbase partners with Kalshi* (Jan 2026 rollout to all 50 US states) to offer prediction-market contracts. Bloomberg reports contracts tied specifically to Taiwanese local races existed on Kalshi/Coinbase platform.
*Election context:*
- *Nov 28, 2026 local elections* - mayors, city councillors, village chiefs - first island-wide test for *President Lai Ching-te* since 2024. Results preview 2028 presidential.
- CIB rationale: "protect election integrity and prevent overseas interference" - referencing concern mainland China funds could flow via illegal channels to influence vote. *No evidence presented linking Coinbase/Kalshi to China funding.*
- Same law was used to *block Polymarket in May 2026* (Miaoli court) and prosecutors searched *4 suspected Polymarket bettors April 15* over mayoral-seat party bet. One Hsinchu man betting *NT$227 (∼$7) on KMT win* got deferred prosecution.
This is *website DNS block pending investigation*, not guilty verdict. Polymarket also named in some reports as included.