U.S. Authorities Conclude Investigations Into Polymarket, Signaling Shift in Crypto Enforcement

U.S. prosecutors and regulators have quietly closed their investigations into Polymarket, a prediction markets platform that had faced scrutiny for allegedly allowing U.S. users to place bets despite regulatory restrictions. The Department of Justice and Commodity Futures Trading Commission notified the company of their decision in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the matter.

The resolution marks another milestone in the evolving regulatory landscape for crypto-related businesses. Political prediction markets have gained traction in the U.S. this election cycle, with regulators taking a more permissive stance since the TRUMP administration's return to power. The CFTC previously abandoned efforts to block rival platform Kalshi in May.

Polymarket's legal challenges began last year when FBI agents raided the home of founder Shayne Coplan. Company spokespeople at the time alleged political motivations behind the investigation, though they declined to elaborate on those claims. CoinDesk independently verified that at least two U.S.-based users could access betting markets during the period under review.