Legal tracker / CFTC & Kalshi v. Arizona
Case · as of Oct 15, 2026
CFTC & Kalshi v. Arizona
For the exchanges Injunction for CFTC blocks Arizona enforcement; state seeks to dissolve
Judge Michael Liburdi denied Kalshi's own injunction request under the Anti-Injunction Act but, on the CFTC's motion, entered a TRO and then a preliminary injunction (May 5, 2026) barring Arizona from criminal or civil enforcement of its gambling laws against CFTC-registered exchanges, halting the state's prosecution of Kalshi; Crypto.com joined as an intervenor-plaintiff. Arizona's Ninth Circuit appeal is stayed pending the Nevada appeals, and after Assad the state moved to dissolve the injunction (September 2026, secondary).
Case record last checked against its sources on Sep 25, 2026.
| Case | United States v. Arizona; KalshiEX LLC v. Johnson (consolidated) |
| Court | U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit |
| Docket | 2:26-cv-01715-MTL and 2:26-cv-02246 (D. Ariz.); 26-4281 and 26-2978 (9th Cir.) |
| Filed | Mar 12, 2026 |
| Type | Preemption suit |
| Companies | Kalshi, Crypto.com |
| Other side | Arizona officials (Johnson et al.), including Attorney General Kris Mayes |
| Last action | Sep 14, 2026: Arizona moved to vacate/dissolve the preliminary injunction in light of Assad. |
| Next date | : Ruling on Arizona's motion to dissolve; Ninth Circuit appeal No. 26-4281 stayed. |
History
Newest first.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2026 | Arizona moved to dissolve the injunction. |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Ninth Circuit granted joint motion to stay the appeal pending the Nevada appeals. |
| Jul 6, 2026 | Arizona officials' appeal docketed (No. 26-4281). |
| May 8, 2026 | Kalshi noticed an interlocutory appeal. |
| May 5, 2026 | Court granted the CFTC's preliminary injunction. |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Crypto.com (CDNA) joined as intervenor-plaintiff. |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Court granted the CFTC a TRO against Arizona enforcement. |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Court denied Kalshi's PI and TRO motions (Anti-Injunction Act). |
| Apr 2, 2026 | CFTC/United States sued Arizona; cases consolidated before Judge Liburdi. |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Court denied Kalshi's initial TRO request. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Kalshi sued Arizona officials. |
Sources
- D. Ariz. docket (Justia) (primary)
- D. Ariz. order denying Kalshi PI (Justia, Doc. 51) (primary)
- Ninth Circuit docket No. 26-4281 (Justia) (primary)
- CFTC press release 9206-26 (suits vs. AZ, CT, IL) (primary)
- CFTC press release 9208-26 (Arizona TRO motion) (primary)
- CFTC press release 9211-26 (Arizona TRO) (primary)
- Cert petition (PDF), No. 26-299 (primary)
- News: Gambling Insider (Arizona PI)
- News: Arizona Mirror (Mayes seeks to revive case)
CFTC & Kalshi v. Arizona: questions
What is the status of CFTC & Kalshi v. Arizona?
Injunction for CFTC blocks Arizona enforcement; state seeks to dissolve. Judge Michael Liburdi denied Kalshi's own injunction request under the Anti-Injunction Act but, on the CFTC's motion, entered a TRO and then a preliminary injunction (May 5, 2026) barring Arizona from criminal or civil enforcement of its gambling laws against CFTC-registered exchanges, halting the state's prosecution of Kalshi; Crypto.com joined as an intervenor-plaintiff. Arizona's Ninth Circuit appeal is stayed pending the Nevada appeals, and after Assad the state moved to dissolve the injunction (September 2026, secondary).
What happened most recently in CFTC & Kalshi v. Arizona?
Sep 14, 2026: Arizona moved to vacate/dissolve the preliminary injunction in light of Assad.
What is the next date in CFTC & Kalshi v. Arizona?
: Ruling on Arizona's motion to dissolve; Ninth Circuit appeal No. 26-4281 stayed.
Compiled from court dockets, opinions, regulator releases and news coverage, linked above. Not legal advice. Arizona: every action · All cases · Interactive tracker