In a recent social media post, Shayne Coplan, CEO of Polymarket, teased the potential launch of a native token, $POLY. The cryptic post had names of top cryptocurrencies listed, with the last one $POLY, accompanied by a thinking emoji. This got crypto and prediction market enthusiasts wondering if Polymarket is considering launching its own native token.
$2 billion investment from ICE
Interestingly, this messaging comes right on the back of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) announcing its plans to invest up to $2 billion in Polymarket. ICE is a leading global provider of technology and data services, owning and operating over 12 regulated exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This all-cash deal takes Polymarkets’ valuation to over $9 billion.
The deal aims to bring prediction markets into mainstream finance and collaborate on future tokenization initiatives, where real-world assets like real estate or art are converted into tradable digital tokens using blockchain technology. ICE also plans to distribute Polymarket’s event-driven data to institutional investors globally.
Polymarket’s notable stakeholders
Polymarket has attracted investments from several prominent entities. Before ICE’s investment, Polymarket had raised $205 million across two funding rounds, with notable investors including Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, as well as backing from Founders Fund, the venture capital firm founded by Peter Thiel. In August 2025, the company secured an investment from 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm backed by Donald Trump Jr., who also joined Polymarket’s advisory board.
Founded in 2020 by Shayne Coplan, Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market platform that allows users to place crypto-based bets on real-world events, ranging from political races and sporting matches to key economic metrics. The platform gained significant attention during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, facilitating over $3.2 billion in bets.