Polymarket targets $21B value in Trump Jr.-linked round

Polymarket is reportedly raising approximately $1 billion at a $21 billion valuation, with Donald Trump Jr.-linked 1789 Capital planning to contribute about $300 million.

The Wall Street Journal reported the financing plans on Aug. 31, citing people familiar with the round. Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for 1789 Capital, separately confirmed the planned investment and valuation to The Business Times.

The transaction has not been announced as completed. The final amount, participating investors and ownership distribution could change before the round closes.

1789 Capital could invest $500M across two rounds

The planned $300 million contribution would follow approximately $200 million that 1789 Capital previously invested in Polymarket. Combined, the commitments would give the firm about $500 million of exposure based on the reported investment amounts.

1789 Capital would become one of Polymarket’s largest investors if the latest transaction closes. The firm is leading the wider $1 billion round, although the remaining investors have not been publicly identified.

Donald Trump Jr. joined 1789 Capital as a partner after the 2024 presidential election. He later joined Polymarket’s advisory board following the firm’s initial investment.

As crypto.news previously reported, Trump Jr. said he would help Polymarket expand its U.S. presence. He is also an adviser to rival prediction market operator Kalshi, creating overlapping interests across two competing platforms.

Trump Jr. has said that he invests as a private citizen and has “no policy position and no role within the administration whatsoever.” His father, President Donald Trump, has publicly supported prediction markets and appointed the current leadership of their federal regulator.

The relationship has drawn scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers. House Judiciary Committee Democrats are investigating 1789 Capital’s rapid growth and its investments in companies affected by federal policy or government contracts.

The investigation does not establish wrongdoing by Trump Jr., 1789 Capital or Polymarket. The firm has rejected suggestions that its growth resulted from political influence and described the allegations as politically motivated.

Polymarket’s valuation would rise to $21B

The proposed financing would value Polymarket at about $21 billion on a post-money basis, meaning the figure includes the new investment. The valuation would rise from approximately $15 billion following an earlier round completed in April.

The $21 billion figure represents the negotiated value assigned by private investors. It is not a publicly traded market capitalization, and Polymarket has not released audited financial statements that would allow outside investors to independently assess the valuation.

Polymarket was seeking funding above $20 billion before 1789 Capital’s role became public. As crypto.news reported in August, ICE was considering another Polymarket investment after building a stake worth approximately $1.64 billion.

ICE, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, remains Polymarket’s largest investor. The Wall Street Journal reported that ICE’s holdings represented about 22% of Polymarket’s outstanding shares as of its latest disclosure.

ICE first announced an investment agreement of up to $2 billion in October 2025, initially valuing Polymarket at approximately $8 billion before the investment. The exchange operator completed a further $600 million cash investment in March 2026.

An SEC filing showed that ICE recorded a $389 million fair-value gain on its Polymarket investment during the first quarter. The gain followed an observable change in the price of Polymarket shares rather than cash income received from the platform.

Neither Polymarket nor 1789 Capital disclosed whether the latest round involves newly issued shares, secondary sales from existing holders or a combination of both.

U.S. expansion supports the investment case

Polymarket operates a blockchain-based international platform where users trade contracts tied to elections, sports, economic data and other events. It has also developed a regulated U.S. business through its acquisition of QCEX.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission lists QCX LLC, operating as Polymarket U.S., as a designated contract market. The designation allows the entity to offer federally regulated event contracts subject to CFTC rules.

Polymarket’s international platform previously blocked U.S. users under a 2022 CFTC settlement. The company paid a $1.4 million civil penalty and agreed to wind down markets that did not comply with U.S. law.

The regulated U.S. entity has since introduced contracts under separate exchange and clearing structures. Polymarket has also said that its surveillance systems are prepared to support trading related to the 2026 midterm elections.

Growth has extended beyond politics. As crypto.news reported, World Cup contracts generated billions in trading activity, showing how sports have become a major source of prediction-market volume.

Polymarket has not disclosed how much of its reported activity produces revenue, whether individual markets are profitable or how its international and U.S. businesses divide income.

State lawsuits remain a material obstacle

Polymarket’s federal registration has not ended disputes over sports event contracts. State regulators and local authorities have argued that some contracts amount to sports betting and require gaming licenses.

The platforms respond that event contracts traded on CFTC-regulated exchanges fall under federal derivatives law. Courts have reached different conclusions, producing a fragmented legal environment across several states.

In related coverage, federal and state regulators have fought over prediction-market jurisdiction in cases involving Kalshi and Polymarket. Some courts have blocked state enforcement, while others have allowed gaming regulators to proceed.

The financing round does not resolve those cases. It would instead give Polymarket more capital for compliance, technology, market surveillance, legal disputes and competition with Kalshi.

Polymarket has no publicly traded stock or confirmed platform token whose price could provide a direct market reaction. Any token claiming to represent ownership in the company should not be treated as official without confirmation.