Trump Jr.’s VC Firm Announces Multimillion Dollar Investment in Polymarket
With the revelation on Tuesday that his venture capital firm is investing in Polymarket and adding him to its advisory board, Donald Trump Jr. is expanding his portfolio of prediction markets.
Axios reports that Trump Jr.'s 1789 Capital firm has invested several million dollars in Polymarket. The terms of the investment were not disclosed by Polymarket.
Despite Polymarket's much bigger trading volume, Trump Jr. is also on the advisory board of Kalshi, another prediction market. The Kalshi advisory job is paid, according to Axios.
Launched in 2020, Polymarket is a decentralized, blockchain-based platform where users purchase and sell contracts based on the results of actual events. It requires a cryptowallet.
Billion-Dollar Appraisal
Over the past year, the platform's legal problems have made headlines. Although it is available everywhere, Americans are not permitted to use it.
In 2022, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) fined Polymarket US$1.4 million for operating without a license.
Americans may soon be able to utilize the platform after Polymarket paid US$112 million to acquire a CFTC-licensed exchange (QCEX) in 2024. The business also declared in June that X will be its official partner in the prediction market. The business was recently valued at $1 billion USD.
Dropped Investigation
The Trump administration concluded Justice Department and CFTC investigations into Polymarket in July 2025. This was one of several actions taken by the previous Biden administration against cryptocurrency firms and online betting marketplaces. In November 2024, the FBI executed a public raid on Shayne Coplan, the CEO of Polymarket, entering his New York home and confiscating electronic gadgets and cell phones.
Politics, sports, and entertainment—including scandals and celebrity news—are all covered by Polymarket's wide spectrum of marketplaces. Its decentralized structure makes it possible to quickly create markets based on user demand. According to an NBC study, Polymarket became well-known during the US presidential election in November 2024, with over US$3.6 billion in trading activity.
QCEX Acquisition Paves Way for Market Re-Entry
“This strategic investment marks a significant milestone for Polymarket. Our long-term partnership with 1789 Capital will help reinforce Polymarket’s leading position as a trusted source of free, transparent, and accurate market information in the U.S. and around the world,” said Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan.
“We are proud to formally welcome 1789 Capital as a strategic partner and Donald Trump Jr. to our advisory board as we continue building our platform to reflect real-world sentiment, in real time, for all to see.”
Trades of $6 Billion
Users have already made US$6 billion in predictions on the site, according to a statement released by the firm on Tuesday.
"Polymarket is the largest prediction market in the world, and the U.S. needs access to this important platform,” said Donald Trump Jr. “Polymarket cuts through media spin and so-called ‘expert’ opinion by letting people bet on what they actually believe will happen in the world.”
“I am pleased that 1789 Capital is investing in Polymarket and am honored to join the company’s advisory board. I look forward to working with the team to advance its mission of bringing truth and transparency to everyone – including the U.S.”
