Shayne Coplan Becomes Youngest Self-Made Billionaire After Polymarket’s $2B Investment

Shayne Coplan, the 27-year-old founder of blockchain-based prediction market Polymarket, has claimed the title of the world's youngest self-made billionaire following a $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). The deal values Polymarket at $8 billion pre-money, marking a watershed moment for crypto-powered prediction markets.

Polymarket's ascent traces back to its explosive growth during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, where users wagered over $3 billion in cryptocurrency on political outcomes. The platform, which allows bets on everything from sports to economic indicators, transformed from a niche experiment into a global phenomenon despite regulatory hurdles.

The CFTC previously fined Polymarket $1.4 million for allegedly offering illegal trading, prompting the company to block U.S. users. However, regulatory scrutiny persisted, culminating in an FBI raid on Coplan's apartment post-election. The Justice Department later dropped its investigation, clearing the path for ICE's landmark investment.