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Polymarket Pulls Bet on Missing U.S. Pilot After Outcry, Citing Integrity Breach

The removal intensified calls in Washington to restrict wagers on wars or government actions.

Overview

  • Polymarket, which briefly listed bets Friday on when the rescue of a downed U.S. pilot would be confirmed, took the market down after Rep. Seth Moulton called it “DISGUSTING.”
  • The company apologized, said the listing failed its integrity standards, and opened an internal review into how it cleared safeguards.
  • Moulton said the response fell short and urged Polymarket to remove hundreds of other active war-related markets while the rescue effort continues.
  • U.S. officials say an F-15E was shot down over Iran, with one crew member rescued and another still missing as search-and-rescue operations proceed.
  • The episode adds fuel to broader efforts to police prediction markets, with lawmakers pushing bans on wagers tied to war or government actions and with new insider-trading worries after on-chain analysts reported roughly $1 million in well-timed Iran bets.