Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan Youngest Billionaire After $2B ICE Investment - Crypto Prediction Market News

Shayne Coplan, founder and CEO of blockchain prediction platform Polymarket, has become the world's youngest self-made billionaire according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This achievement follows Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), owner of the New York Stock Exchange, announcing a massive $2 billion investment in Polymarket at an $8 billion pre-money valuation. The 27-year-old entrepreneur launched Polymarket in 2020 to revolutionize decision-making through prediction markets. The platform's breakthrough came during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, where users wagered over $3 billion using cryptocurrency on real-world outcomes. Despite regulatory challenges including a $1.4 million CFTC settlement and FBI investigation (both since dropped), Polymarket achieved full U.S. legitimacy by acquiring CFTC-licensed QCEX exchange. The platform now attracts both retail and institutional interest, transforming gambling and financial forecasting industries through blockchain transparency and market-driven predictions.