Norwegian Officials Investigate Polymarket Bets on Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Norwegian authorities are investigating a potential information leak after significant bets were placed on the Nobel Peace Prize outcome on Polymarket shortly before it was publicly announced.
- Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, leading to a surge in bets on her victory hours before the official announcement.
- The spike in bets was substantial enough for Polymarket’s official account to acknowledge it on social media.
- A trader named “dirtycup” bet nearly $70,000 on Machado and profited about $30,000. This account was new and had no previous betting history.
- Two other accounts focused solely on Machado, earning a combined $90,000.
- Krisitan Berg Harpviken, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, stated that this incident is being taken seriously as it appears to involve criminal activity.
- The Nobel Peace Prize selection process is highly secretive, but the decision was reportedly made days in advance.
Polymarket allows users to bet on various real-world events. Its founder, Shayne Coplan, became the youngest self-made billionaire following a $2 billion investment from the New York Stock Exchange owner.