Key Moments:
- Donald Trump Jr. invests in Polymarket through venture capital firm 1789 Capital and joins its advisory board
- Trump Jr. is now on advisory boards for both Polymarket and its competitor Kalshi
- Polymarket recently announced its re-entry into the U.S. market following the acquisition of QCEX for $112 million
Trump Jr.’s Dual Board Roles and Investment
Donald Trump Jr. has officially invested in prediction markets platform Polymarket and accepted a position on the company’s advisory board, as confirmed in a statement released Tuesday. The investment comes via 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm where Trump Jr. acts as a partner. Specific financial details have not been made public.
In his statement, Trump Jr. remarked, “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.”
Donald Trump Jr.’s 1789 Capital invests millions in Polymarket, joining the advisory board as the prediction market platform positions for a U.S. return amid evolving regulatory clarity.#Polymarket #1789Capital #TrumpJr #Crypto #DeFi #Blockchain #Finance #Investing #Web3 pic.twitter.com/gGzqrV2t7p
— Arca View (@arcaview) August 26, 2025
Notably, Trump Jr. is extending his advisory influence to both Polymarket and its direct rival, Kalshi. He had previously taken on a strategic advisor position at Kalshi in January.
Growth and Challenges in the Prediction Markets Sector
Last year’s election year saw a surge in activity for prediction markets such as Polymarket, as they enabled participants to use cryptocurrency to wager on various race outcomes, including the presidential contest. At the peak of interest, both Polymarket and Kalshi reached top positions on the Apple App Store just before the 2024 presidential election, bolstered by public attention which included endorsements from high-profile individuals.
Earlier, Polymarket faced regulatory scrutiny and, in 2022, reached a settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The company agreed to pay a $1.4 million fine, discontinue its non-compliant markets, and implement ongoing measures to restrict U.S. user access.
U.S. Market Re-Entry and Industry Competition
Polymarket recently disclosed, last month, its plans to re-enter the U.S. market, a move that follow its acquisition of the CFTC-regulated derivatives exchange QCEX for $112 million. Competition in the prediction markets arena is intensifying, as platforms including Coinbase and Robinhood are also seeking to grow their presence in this evolving sector, which shares similarities with conventional gambling markets.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Trump Jr. investment | Via 1789 Capital in Polymarket (terms undisclosed) |
| Advisory roles | Joins advisory boards of both Polymarket and Kalshi |
| QCEX acquisition | Polymarket acquires QCEX for $112 million to re-enter U.S. market |
| CFTC settlement | Polymarket pays $1.4 million fine, winds down non-compliant markets, and blocks U.S. users |
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