China has unveiled broad new regulations under the "Administrative Measures for Online Marketing of Financial Products", tightening oversight of digital financial advertising. The framework includes a blanket ban on online promotion of cryptocurrencies.

Brazilian authorities have ordered internet providers to block access to 27 prediction market platforms, including Kalshi, Polymarket, PredictIt, Robinhood's prediction feature, and Fanatics Markets, Cointelegraph reported. The action is being coordinated by the Ministry of Finance and enforced by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel). It is grounded in National Monetary Council (CMN) Resolution No. 5,298, issued on April 25, and is set to take effect in early May. Under the new rules, prediction contracts tied to sports, politics, entertainment, or other social events are explicitly banned and treated as gambling rather than financial investment products. Contracts linked to economic indicators such as inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, and commodity prices remain permitted. Dario Durigan, executive secretary at the Ministry of Finance, said prediction markets could worsen debt burdens for households and small businesses, creating broader financial risks. Similar restrictions are already in place in several countries, including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Brazil has moved to block access to prediction market platforms including Polymarket and Kalshi, widening its enforcement against what authorities describe as illegal online betting. Finance Minister Dario Durigan said 27 platforms were shut out, while other reports put the total at 28. The clampdown follows a new federal resolution that bans event-based prediction contracts tied to elections, sports, entertainment and other real-world outcomes not linked to financial benchmarks. Users in Brazil reported losing access to Polymarket and Kalshi after the order took effect. Durigan said the sites were operating outside betting rules approved by Congress and were not regulated in the country. Officials framed the action as consumer protection aimed at curbing household debt and limiting social harm associated with online gambling losses. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has previously pointed to rising financial stress on families alongside the rapid spread of digital betting. Chief of Staff Miriam Belchior said the measures are intended to protect income, prevent financial losses and reduce exposure to risky financial behavior. Under the new framework, Banco Central do Brasil prohibited derivatives whose value depends on sporting events, virtual gaming, political outcomes or other real-world events not tied to economic or financial benchmarks. The ban strikes at the core structure of prediction markets, where traders buy contracts on whether an event occurs. Markets linked to elections, sports results, social events and entertainment outcomes are now barred. Some products tied to recognized financial data may still be permitted if cleared by the securities regulator CVM. The decision also lands as Brazil’s exchange operator B3 expands its listed derivatives offering. B3 has confirmed six new contracts launching on April 27 tied to the Ibovespa stock index, the Brazilian real and Bitcoin. The exchange had also explored event-based markets, including election-linked products, but the new rules explicitly prohibit contracts tied to political or electoral outcomes. The restriction carries added weight ahead of Brazil’s October presidential election, where early polling showed President Lula and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in a close race. Brazil joins a growing list of jurisdictions taking action against prediction markets. Polymarket has already faced restrictions or bans in France, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Singapore, Australia and the UK. Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Coin Edition is not responsible for losses resulting from the use of any content, products or services referenced. Readers should exercise caution before taking action related to any company mentioned.

Brazilian authorities have blocked access to 27 prediction market platforms, including Kalshi and Polymarket, according to Odaily Planet Daily. Dario Durigan, executive secretary at Brazil's Ministry of Finance, said National Monetary Council Resolution No. 5,298 will take effect in May. Under the new rule, contracts linked to sports, politics, entertainment, or other social events will be treated as gambling rather than financial investments. Only contracts tied to economic indicators—such as inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, or commodity prices—will be allowed. Other platforms affected include PredictIt, Robinhood's prediction feature, and Fanatics Markets. Authorities said the measures are intended to curb rising household debt and reduce related financial risks.

Brazil has moved to cut off access to major prediction-market platforms, escalating its crackdown on speculative products tied to real-world events. Local media reported that users in Brazil can no longer reach services including Polymarket and Kalshi after action by financial regulators. Government filings show the Banco Central do Brasil issued a resolution aimed at derivative contracts whose payoffs depend on non-financial outcomes. The measures cover markets linked to political events, sporting results and cultural activities, which regulators say do not constitute legitimate economic benchmarks. Authorities positioned the restrictions as part of a broader push to bolster investor protection and preserve market integrity. Finance Minister Dario Durigan said officials have banned about 28 platforms operating in the segment. The government also connected the clampdown to growing concern over online betting behavior, stressing the need to protect household savings as participation in speculative digital platforms increases. Brazil's decision mirrors a wider international shift toward tighter scrutiny of prediction markets. Polymarket already faces restrictions in more than 30 jurisdictions, and regulators across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region have introduced similar curbs. France, Belgium, Australia and Singapore have implemented partial or full bans, though approaches vary by market. Some jurisdictions limit only certain categories such as political betting, with Taiwan cited as an example of selective restrictions rather than an outright prohibition. The United States remains an outlier. While U.S. authorities have historically constrained for-profit prediction markets, Kalshi's 2024 legal victory altered the direction of policy, contributing to a more permissive federal posture even as disputes continue in states. Wisconsin recently sued several firms, including Polymarket and Coinbase, alleging violations of gambling laws. The divergent responses underscore how fragmented global oversight remains. As some governments lean toward innovation, others favor strict controls to curb financial and social risks, leaving the industry's outlook increasingly shaped by court rulings and regulatory shifts.

Bitcoin is facing mounting pressure in South Africa, according to Gazza Jenks (@gazza_jenks), Head of Multimedia at The Block (@theblockco), who highlighted draft regulations circulated by the country's Treasury Department. Jenks said the proposal would significantly tighten controls on crypto activity, potentially requiring individuals to declare holdings above a specified level, seek approval to trade beyond set thresholds, and share private keys with the government.

France's National Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (PNACO) says kidnappings and illegal detentions tied to cryptocurrencies are rising sharply, according to ChainCatcher. Across 12 active investigations, prosecutors have filed charges against 88 people—including more than 10 minors—while 75 suspects have been placed in pretrial detention. Prosecutors' data show that since 2023, French authorities have logged 135 crypto-related cases: 18 in 2024, 67 in 2025, and 47 so far in 2026. The cases often feature violent abductions, ransom demands, and coerced transfers of crypto assets. Authorities also say some suspects recur across multiple files, pointing to a potentially organized criminal network. The kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland is cited as a notable sign of growing security risks for France's crypto sector.

Singapore's Anti-Scam Centre, working with the police cybercrime investigation unit and several cryptocurrency platforms, has intercepted more than S$2.86 million linked to crypto-enabled scams. In a statement released on Thursday, April 23, the Singapore Police Force said it carried out a month-long enforcement operation from March 16 to April 15 with support from Coinbase, Coinhako, StraitsX and Upbit. Investigators used blockchain analytics tools from TRM Labs and Chainalysis to trace transactions and identify victims through advanced on-chain analysis. Cases involved scams such as impersonation of government officials, investment fraud, job scams and romance scams, according to Lianhe Zaobao.

France has seen a steep increase in kidnappings and extortion tied to cryptocurrencies since 2023, Le Monde reported, citing the National Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime (PNACO). PNACO recorded 18 cases in 2024, rising to 67 in 2025, with 47 already logged in 2026—135 cases in total. Across 12 active investigations, authorities have formally charged 88 people, including more than 10 minors. A total of 75 suspects have been placed in temporary detention. Prosecutor Vanessa Péré said investigators have identified individuals repeatedly appearing across multiple cases, pointing to a structured criminal network. Recent incidents cited by PNACO include a December 2025 case in the Charente department in which three masked attackers forced a couple to transfer about €8 million in cryptocurrency, and the January 2025 kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of hardware wallet maker Ledger. PNACO said it will continue to reinforce nationwide enforcement efforts.