TLDR
- Shayne Coplan, 27, is now the world’s youngest self-made billionaire according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index
- Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE owner) investing up to $2 billion in Polymarket at $8 billion valuation
- Coplan hinted at launching POLY token in cryptic social media post alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum
- Platform gained CFTC approval for U.S. operations after acquiring licensed exchange QCEX in July
- Polymarket has processed $19 billion in trading volume and raised $205 million in previous funding rounds
The founder of prediction market platform Polymarket has achieved billionaire status at just 27 years old. Shayne Coplan reached this milestone after Intercontinental Exchange announced a major investment in his company.
ICE, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, plans to invest up to $2 billion in Polymarket. The deal values the blockchain-based prediction platform at $8 billion. Bloomberg confirmed Coplan as the world’s youngest self-made billionaire.
Coplan started Polymarket in June 2020 after researching prediction markets. The platform lets users bet on real-world events using cryptocurrency. Users can wager on elections, sports, and economic outcomes.
The company saw massive growth during the 2024 presidential election. More than $3 billion in bets were placed on election outcomes. Trading volume on the platform has now reached nearly $19 billion according to DeFiLlama.
Previous Funding and Token Speculation
Coplan disclosed two unreported funding rounds before the ICE deal. Founders Fund led a $150 million investment in early 2025 at a $1.2 billion valuation. Other investors included Ribbit, Valor, Point72 Ventures, and Coinbase.
Blockchain Capital led a separate $55 million round before the election. Combined, these rounds brought in $205 million before the NYSE owner’s investment.
Coplan recently sparked speculation about a token launch. He posted “$BTC, $ETH, $BNB, $SOL, $POLY” on X with a thinking emoji. The message suggested a POLY token could join major cryptocurrencies.
No details about the token were provided. A POLY token could offer governance rights, rewards, or liquidity incentives. These features are common in decentralized platforms.
Path to Legal U.S. Operations
Polymarket faced regulatory hurdles early on. The CFTC fined the company $1.4 million in 2022 for illegal trading allegations. Polymarket blocked U.S. users after the settlement.
FBI agents searched Coplan’s apartment after the 2024 election. The Justice Department ended its investigation in July. The CFTC also closed its civil probe.
Polymarket bought QCEX in July, a CFTC-licensed exchange. This acquisition allowed legal operations in the United States. The platform can now serve American users under proper licensing.
Competition in Prediction Markets
Other platforms are entering the prediction market space. Kalshi partnered with Robinhood Markets to offer betting services. The sector is attracting both retail traders and institutional investors.
Polymarket uses blockchain technology for transparent betting. The decentralized system manages contracts on real-world events. The platform combines cryptocurrency with market-driven predictions.
The CFTC approval marks a turnaround from earlier regulatory problems. Polymarket now operates legally in U.S. markets through its licensed exchange subsidiary.
