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Kalshi, Polymarket tighten user bans to deter insider trading

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Crypto Breaking News

Two leading prediction-market platforms have rolled out tighter guardrails on Monday to curb insider trading and suspected market manipulation in event-based contracts, as lawmakers in Washington step up scrutiny of a sector that blends finance, law and politics.

Kalshi and Polymarket argued that their updates are designed to prevent the exploitation of confidential information and to reduce the risk that markets skew the outcomes of real-world events. The moves come amid a broader policy push in the United States to regulate or restrict prediction markets that resemble gambling or sports betting.

Key takeaways

  • Kalshi and Polymarket introduced new guardrails to combat insider trading and manipulation in event contracts.
  • Kalshi will preemptively bar political candidates from trading on their campaigns and exclude individuals connected to college and professional sports from relevant markets.
  • Polymarket expanded prohibitions to forbid trades based on stolen confidential information or those who can influence market outcomes.
  • A bipartisan bill, the Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act, would bar CFTC-registered platforms from listing event contracts that resemble sports bets or casino-style games.
  • The policy debate highlights tensions over jurisdiction, licensing and the boundaries between financial markets and entertainment-oriented betting.

Guardrails tighten as Congresseye rules intensify

Kalshi said it would preemptively ban political candidates from trading on their own campaigns, along with individuals known to be involved in college and professional sports—such as athletes, staff, and referees. The exchange described the move as part of a long-running effort to align with evolving regulatory guidance and proposed legislation addressing insider trading and market manipulation in prediction markets.

In a separate but related move, Polymarket unveiled broader prohibitions intended to close loopholes that could enable insiders to benefit from confidential information or influence the outcome of a contract. The company said its updated rules aim to make the market more resistant to manipulation and to protect the integrity of events traded on its platform.

The changes come on the heels of intense public debate about whether some well-timed bets on political or geopolitical events reflect legitimate market activity or exploit privileged information. In recent coverage, observers noted bets placed around high-profile events such as U.S. and Israeli actions in Iran and a U.S.-led operation related to Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, with some traders appearing to use multiple accounts to mask activity. The Guardian reported that the Iran-strike bets were made by users who could be perceived as having inside information, underscoring the ongoing concerns about insider knowledge shaping market outcomes.

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Kalshi described its policy evolution as a proactive response to the regulatory environment and to proposed congressional action. The company, which is a member of the Coalition for Prediction Markets, argued that these guardrails are part of preparing for potential legal guidance and legislative developments that address insider trading and market manipulation in prediction markets.

Policy spotlight: bipartisan efforts and legal tensions

On Monday, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and Republican Senator John Curtis introduced a bipartisan bill, the Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act, that would bar Commodity Futures Trading Commission-registered entities from listing event contracts that resemble sports betting or casino-style games. In their view, sports prediction contracts are effectively sports bets—an assertion Schiff has repeated to emphasize the public-law implications of these instruments when they resemble gambling more than information-driven markets.

The proposed legislation would withdraw a key allowance for platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket by limiting what contracts they may offer in the United States. Schiff’s office framed the issue as one of regulatory clarity and consumer protection, while Curtis stressed maintaining state authority over broader gaming and betting activities.

Kalshi’s chief executive, Tarek Mansour, reacted to the bill by framing the move within a broader “casino lobby” effort. He argued that the legislation is not about protecting consumers but about preserving entrenched monopolies, a line he shared publicly on social media. His comments underscore how industry actors view the political dynamic surrounding prediction markets and their place in the U.S. financial-regulatory landscape.

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Legal tension has already surrounded prediction-market operators in several states, which have asserted that sports-event contracts constitute gambling that requires a state license. Platforms such as Kalshi, Polymarket andCoinbase have contended that their offerings are not illegal betting and, regardless, fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission rather than state authorities.

The policy debate is not theoretical for traders and developers who rely on prediction markets for hedging and information discovery. As reported by Cointelegraph, the U.S. Senate has been weighing bills aimed at curtailing or redefining the reach of these markets, alongside state-level actions that challenge the legality of specific contracts. The ongoing legal and regulatory discourse creates an environment of uncertainty, even as platforms push for clearer rules that would allow compliant operation in the United States.

For context, Cointelegraph’s reporting has highlighted instances where traders leveraged event-driven markets to capitalize on geopolitical developments, reinforcing concerns about information asymmetry and the potential for manipulation. The new guardrails by Kalshi and Polymarket are thus part of a broader effort to reconcile the commercial appeal of prediction markets with legitimate safeguards against abuse.

What to watch next in the evolving landscape

As lawmakers advance their proposals and courts consider disputes over jurisdiction and licensing, the trajectory of prediction markets in the United States remains uncertain. If the proposed act passes, CFTC-approved platforms could face tighter restrictions or even a narrowed set of permissible contracts, potentially dampening growth but improving trust and regulatory compliance.

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For users, traders and builders, the key questions are how the guardrails translate into practical trading limits, whether state or federal rules will ultimately prevail, and how enforcement will unfold in a landscape that often intersects with political sentiment and sports governance.

The next chapter will likely hinge on legislative momentum in Congress and any legal clarifications from federal or state authorities. Watch for updates on whether the bipartisan bill gains traction, how the industry responds with further rule adjustments, and whether there are new developments in the ongoing legal actions against these platforms. The balance between innovation and integrity in prediction markets remains delicate, and investors should monitor both regulatory signals and platform-level safeguards as the market evolves.

Sources: Kalshi newsroom announcements on guardrails; Polymarket rule updates; U.S. Senate press releases announcing the proposed act; coverage of insider-trading concerns around event contracts; The Guardian reporting on Iran-strike bets; ongoing state-level legal actions against prediction-market operators.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Crypto World

Stablecoin Bill Introduced in Delaware Aims to Create Licensing Framework

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Stablecoin Bill Introduced in Delaware Aims to Create Licensing Framework

Two Delaware lawmakers are working to establish stablecoin regulations as part of a broader package of regulatory proposals aimed at “modernizing” the state’s financial sector.

In a statement on Monday, the Delaware Senate Democrats announced that Senator Spiros Mantzavinos and Representative Bill Bush had filed the Delaware Banking Modernization Act (Senate Bill 16) and the Delaware Payment Stablecoin Act (Senate Bill 19).

“This legislative package sends a signal loud and clear: here in Delaware, we’re democratizing our financial services and lowering the barriers to entry, making it easier for all residents to send, receive and save money with just an internet connection,” said Delaware Governor Matt Meyer.

Delaware has generally had a friendly and proactive approach toward crypto and blockchain. As far back as 2016, former Governor Jack Markell launched the Delaware Blockchain Initiative to attract blockchain firms. It has also made minor regulatory adjustments to support the sector.

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However, some technology and crypto firms left the state last year, including Coinbase, which reincorporated in Texas after expressing dissatisfaction with Delaware’s Chancery Court, which handles corporate law disputes. 

These two bills could help the state re-attract some of these businesses.

“Our administration is focused on attracting the jobs of the future to the First State, and that includes continuing to foster an innovative banking ecosystem that will open doors not just for workers and companies, but for every single person who participates in our economy,” added Meyer. 

Stablecoin Act proposes a licensing framework

The stablecoin-focused bill aims to create a licensing framework for stablecoin issuers and digital asset service providers operating in Delaware. 

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The bill adopts language and definitions from the US government’s Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act) and “other federal models.”

The bill outlines potential guardrails, including reserve shortfall remediation cascades, mandatory redemption timing standards, capital standards and anti-money laundering obligations.

If approved, the State Bank Commissioner would be directed to implement the rules within a specified timeframe.

Stablecoin-focused Senate Bill document 19. Source: Delaware General Assembly

Meanwhile, the Delaware Banking Modernization Act primarily focuses on traditional finance, updating corporate governance and organizational requirements for local banking institutions. However, it also references digital assets.

The bill also seeks to update Delaware banking code by providing definitions of digital assets in a bid to offer regulatory certainty around the sector and how it relates to traditional finance.

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“It’s been more than four decades since we’ve made any meaningful updates to our state’s banking laws, and in that time, the way people bank and conduct transactions has changed significantly,” said Rep. Bush, adding: “We need to make sure our laws are keeping up with those changes.”

Both bills are still a way off from becoming law. The next stage of progression will see the bills reviewed by the Senate Banking Committee and then debated on by the full Delaware Senate.

The announcement also stated that the lawmakers will file another regulatory proposal in the coming days called the Delaware Money Transmission & Virtual Currency Modernization Act.

It primarily aims to implement consumer protections and standardize the types of activities required for licensing.

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US politicians push for crypto regulation and clarity

The Delaware lawmakers aren’t the only ones this week signaling intent to push crypto-related legislation.

Related: Banks push tokenized deposits as onchain cash race intensifies: Report

In an X post on Monday, US Senator Bill Cassidy said he plans to advance his bill at the federal level to bring US “crypto tax rules into the 21st century.”

The bill, introduced in partnership with Senator Cynthia Lummis in September, seeks to address crypto taxation challenges and support the adoption of digital assets in the US.  

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The bill proposes a $300 de minimis rule for crypto purchases, ending double taxation for miners and stakers and providing taxation parity with other financial assets, among other things.

“It is important for America to be in the driver’s seat on digital assets for both our economy and our national security,” Cassidy said on X.

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Source: Bill Cassidy

On Friday, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sent two proposed rules to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget for review, which include a proposal to have most of the crypto assets on the market not treated as securities under federal law.