Vitalik Buterin, Founders Fund Back Polymarket in $45 Million Funding Round

Kelvin Munene Murithi
May 14, 2024
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Ethereum Co-founder Vitalik Buterin Crypto-friendly politics

Highlights

  • Polymarket secures $45M in Series B funding led by Peter Thiel's Founders Fund.
  • Total capital raised by Polymarket nears $75M with Vitalik Buterin's backing.
  • Platform handled over $170M in bets, focusing on U.S. presidential elections.

Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction market platform, has raised $45 million in its recent Series B funding round. The round was supported by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin, and other key investors like 1confirmation, ParaFi, and Dragonfly Capital.

This finance brings Polymarket’s total to almost $75 million, which is the result of the $25 million raised in Series A and the $4 million raised in the seed round in 2020.

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Major Investors Support Polymarket 

Polymarket has received a lot of investment from high-profile investors, although it is now facing increased attention from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the U. S. regulator. Shayne Coplan, the founder and CEO of Polymarket, said that the investment round was led by Founders Fund.

The money will be used for the further development and expansion of the platform, which has recently become very active as the U. S. presidential election approaches. Nevertheless, the actual sum for Polymarket in this deal was kept a secret.

The platform runs by permitting users to bet on the results of real-world events, from political elections to changes in regulations that affect cryptocurrencies. For instance, one of the most famous contracts on Polymarket right now is asking if the SEC will approve a spot exchange-traded fund for Ethereum by the end of the month, and the market predictions are pricing this possibility at 45%.

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Expansion and Operational Strategy

As part of its plan to deal with the regulations and enlarge its market area, Polymarket has just hired Richard Jaycobs to be the head of market expansion. Jaycobs is well experienced in traditional finance (tradfi) firms, and he has the roles of the president of the Cantor Exchange and the CEO of The Clearing Corporation.

This action by Polymarket is a sign that the company is going to strengthen its operational framework and also expand its user base beyond the U. S. market in the face of previous penalties and settlements with the CFTC.

The Polymarket platform has already enabled more than $170 million in bets, especially in the U. S. presidential elections. This proves not only the platform’s ability to get a large number of users to be active but also its ability to produce more trustworthy forecasts and insights into public opinion compared to traditional polling methods.

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Financial Outlook and Prospects

Although the regulatory bodies are the main hindrances of Polymarket´s growth, the company keeps on looking for ways to expand, especially in the international markets where the regulatory environment is more lenient.

Despite the fact that the company’s last financing round estimated it at a value that was lower than the anticipated $1 billion, it is now in a position to possibly regain and even exceed its previous valuation as it adjusts to the changing environment.

Going forward, Polymarket plans to leverage blockchain technology and stablecoins like USDC to handle transactions, which could streamline operations and reduce reliance on traditional financial systems.

Read Also: Ripple Lands New Partner To Build XRP Ledger EVM Sidechain

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Kelvin Munene is a crypto and finance journalist with over 5 years of experience, offering in-depth market analysis and expert commentary . With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Actuarial Science from Mount Kenya University, Kelvin is known for his meticulous research and strong writing skills, particularly in cryptocurrency, blockchain, and financial markets. His work has been featured across top industry publications such as Coingape, Cryptobasic, MetaNews, Cryptotimes, Coinedition, TheCoinrepublic, Cryptotale, and Analytics Insight among others, where he consistently provides timely updates and insightful content. Kelvin’s focus lies in uncovering emerging trends in the crypto space, delivering factual and data-driven analyses that help readers make informed decisions. His expertise extends across market cycles, technological innovations, and regulatory shifts that shape the crypto landscape. Beyond his professional achievements, Kelvin has a passion for chess, traveling, and exploring new adventures.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.