CoinDesk
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has blocked access to Polymarket, classifying the crypto-based prediction market as illegal online gambling under local law. Director general of digital space supervision Alexander Sabar said platforms that let users wager money on uncertain outcomes remain gambling products even when built on blockchain or settled in crypto assets.
The ministry said it had cut access to the platform and was tracing affiliated social media accounts for possible restrictions across other digital channels. Authorities urged Indonesians not to access or participate in digital betting activity that uses crypto assets, citing potential financial losses and violations of Indonesian law.
Why it matters
Indonesia framed the action as part of a coordinated regional stance, noting that Singapore, Brazil, India, Taiwan, Thailand, China and Japan have already restricted Polymarket under local law, while Ukraine has blocked it with no legal path back. India moved against the platform after classifying similar venues as prohibited online money gaming, and Polymarket is separately pursuing approval in Japan by 2030 under that country's strict gambling regime. The pattern signals that prediction markets are hitting a hard ceiling across major Asian jurisdictions, regardless of whether the rails are crypto or traditional.
The order could extend beyond Polymarket. The ministry did not name Kalshi or other US-regulated prediction-market operators, but said authorities would restrict similar services that facilitate online gambling — leaving the door open to a broader clampdown if Indonesian regulators determine that any venue allows users to wager on uncertain real-world events.
Market impact
Polymarket has grown into one of the largest crypto-native prediction venues, with contracts spanning elections, sports, crypto prices and political outcomes. Each new Asian block shrinks the addressable user base for event-contract trading and reinforces a regulatory framing — gambling, not financial-market activity — that US derivatives regulators have so far declined to adopt.
Frequently asked questions
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Why did Indonesia block Polymarket?
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs classified the platform as illegal online gambling under local law. Director general Alexander Sabar said venues that let users wager money on uncertain outcomes stay gambling products even when built on blockchain or settled in crypto assets.
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Could the ban extend to other prediction markets like Kalshi?
The ministry did not name Kalshi or other US-regulated operators, but said authorities would restrict similar services that facilitate online gambling. That leaves the door open to a broader clampdown if Indonesian regulators determine other venues allow wagering on uncertain real-world events.
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Which other countries have restricted Polymarket?
According to Indonesia's ministry, Singapore, Brazil and India have blocked Polymarket, while Taiwan, Thailand, China and Japan have imposed restrictions under local law. Ukraine has also blocked the platform with no legal path for it to return.
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Is Polymarket seeking approval anywhere in Asia?
Polymarket is separately pursuing approval in Japan by 2030, where strict gambling rules limit most forms of betting outside state-sanctioned activities. The Japanese filing is the clearest counterpoint to the regional clampdown.
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What happens to Polymarket users in Indonesia now?
The ministry cut access to the platform, is tracing affiliated social media accounts for restrictions across other digital channels, and urged Indonesians not to access or participate in digital betting that uses crypto assets, citing financial-loss risk and violations of Indonesian law.
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