台湾在将于本月28日举行的地方选举前几周，因涉嫌选举赌博而封锁了Coinbase Global Inc.和Kalshi Inc.的网站，此次选举将检验对总统赖清德政府的支持度。
Taiwan has blocked the websites of Coinbase Global Inc. and Kalshi Inc. over suspected election betting, weeks before local polls that will test support for President Lai Ching-te’s government.
据彭博社看到的一份裁决，新北市地方法院授权台湾通讯监管机构和互联网注册机构阻止国内访问这些平台。部分台湾的Coinbase用户自周三起报告称无法访问该网站。
A New Taipei court authorized the Taiwanese communications regulator and internet registry to bar domestic access to the platforms, according to a ruling seen by Bloomberg News. Some Coinbase users in Taiwan reported being unable to access the site since Wednesday.
提出该申请的刑事调查局在回复彭博社的询问时表示，这些网站涉嫌违反《公职人员选举罢免法》。该法律禁止以营利为目的，基于选举或罢免结果进行赌博。Coinbase和Kalshi未能立即回应置评请求。
The Criminal Investigation Bureau, which sought the order, said in response to questions from Bloomberg that the websites were suspected of violating the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. The law prohibits operating gambling for profit based on the outcome of an election or recall. Coinbase and Kalshi didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
调查局表示，它申请这些限制是为了保护选举公正并防止“海外干涉”，但未提供更多细节。台湾当局此前曾单独警告称，来自中国大陆的资金可能通过地下金融渠道进入岛内，用于影响选举。
The bureau said it requested the restrictions to protect election integrity and prevent “overseas interference,” without giving further details. Taiwanese authorities have separately warned that money from mainland China could enter the island through underground financial channels and be used to influence elections.
政府在11月28日投票前加强了对非法资金流动的审查，包括地下赌博活动。当局尚未指控Coinbase或Kalshi处理来自中国的资金。
The government has stepped up scrutiny of illicit financial flows ahead of the Nov. 28 vote, including underground gambling operations. Authorities haven’t alleged that Coinbase or Kalshi handled funds from China.
中国台湾事务办公室未能立即回应在正常办公时间外发送的置评请求。
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside normal office hours.
台湾是刑事化选举赌博的司法管辖区之一。根据2023年对选举法的修订，赌徒可能面临最长六个月的监禁，而赌博运营者可能面临最高五年的刑期。
Taiwan is among the jurisdictions that criminalize election wagering. Under a 2023 amendment to the election act, bettors can face as long as six months in prison, while gambling operators can receive up to five years.
当局越来越多地针对预测市场上的选举赌博。Kalshi的主要竞争对手Polymarket也已在台湾被封锁。加密货币常被用于在这些平台上下注。
Authorities have increasingly targeted election wagering on prediction markets. Polymarket, the main rival to Kalshi, has also been blocked in Taiwan. Cryptocurrencies are often used to place bets on such platforms.
台湾选民将选举从市长、市议员到村长等各级地方官员。此次选举将是赖清德自2024年上任以来首次在全岛范围内接受选民检验，或能提前揭示2028年总统选举前的政治格局。
Taiwanese voters will choose local officials ranging from mayors and city councilors to village chiefs. The elections will be the first island-wide electoral test for Lai since he took office in 2024 and could offer an early indication of the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election.