Ukraine Bans Polymarket: Prediction Market Faces Permanent Block with No Legal Return

Ukrainian authorities have enacted a permanent ban against the cryptocurrency-based prediction market Polymarket. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and other regulatory bodies have concluded there is no legal pathway for the platform to resume operations within the country. This decisive action targets Polymarket's core activity of allowing bets on real-world events, which regulators classify as illegal gambling. The ban underscores Ukraine's stringent stance on unregulated crypto platforms that do not comply with national financial and gambling laws. This move aligns with broader regulatory trends as governments worldwide scrutinize the intersection of cryptocurrency and prediction markets. The permanent exclusion signals significant regulatory risk for similar platforms operating in or targeting the Ukrainian market.