The CFTC is investigating Polymarket over potential marketing violations, reportedly, according to a report dated 29 June 2026. The platform was also dealing with the fallout from a phishing attack targeting user funds; the headline put the hacking-related figure at $3.1m.
The investigation could affect Polymarket’s marketing activity and the regulatory treatment of prediction markets.
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The CFTC said on 5 November that registered designated contract markets must remove domestic geographic restrictions that conflict with its fair-access requirements within 30 days. Exchanges must also ensure partner intermediaries comply, or explain in writing why they cannot; the guidance comes amid state court orders requiring restrictions in several states.
The CFTC said on 5 November that registered prediction market operators must unblock geoblocked states within 30 days. Under its new interpretative guidance, designated contract markets that cannot comply may instead explain in writing why they cannot.
The CFTC issued guidance saying state-based geographic restrictions generally conflict with impartial-access requirements for designated contract markets in the United States. It gave exchanges 30 days to remove conflicting blocks or explain to the Division of Market Oversight, with supporting evidence, why compliance is not feasible. The same framework applies to intermediaries and other entities providing market access.
The CFTC said state-based geographic restrictions on prediction markets are generally inconsistent with its impartial access rules, and gave operators and exchanges 30 days to lift them or explain why they cannot. The agency issued the guidance on Thursday as a formal interpretation of its impartial access requirements for designated contract markets. It said location alone should not be used to deny access to eligible participants within the United States.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission ordered designated contract markets to end US geofencing that conflicts with impartial-access requirements within 30 days, or explain why they cannot comply. The order puts exchanges offering sports-event contracts at odds with court orders restricting Kalshi in several states and on tribal lands. Chairman Michael S. Selig said derivatives markets must operate nationally.
Within 30 days, designated contract markets must end geofencing restrictions in the U.S. that violate “impartial access requirements,” or give reasons they cannot comply, the CFTC has ordered. CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig said in a statement that derivatives markets "must operate on a uniform basis at a national scale" to serve the purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.
French police opened an investigation into suspected insider trading linked to bets on the Ballon d’Or, according to the report. It said 12 Polymarket accounts correctly predicted the top five in order, with about €250,000 wagered and nearly €200,000 in net winnings; the event organiser said it was investigating and planned to notify authorities.
French police have opened an investigation into suspected insider trading connected to bets on this year's Ballon d'Or award, according to the report. Investigators found activity on the crypto-based prediction platform Polymarket, the report said.
The US mid-term election brought Democrats control of the House and Senate, while state regulators and prediction-market operators continue to dispute the legality of sports event contracts. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport asked the Supreme Court in September to review whether federal law prevents states from regulating those contracts; a law professor quoted in the report said he expects the court to hear the challenge.
New Jersey Atty. Gen. Jennifer Davenport petitioned the Supreme Court in September to consider whether states may regulate sports offerings on prediction markets. Democrats took control of both the House and the Senate in the mid-term election.