Bitcoin News Today: Donald Trump Jr Joins Polymarket Advisory Board After 1789 Capital Invests Tens of Millions

Donald Trump Jr. has joined the advisory board of Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market, following a significant investment of “tens of millions of dollars” from his venture capital firm, 1789 Capital [1]. The move underscores Polymarket’s ambition to scale globally and highlights 1789 Capital’s broader strategy to invest in crypto infrastructure and alternative finance. The investment, which followed 18 months of negotiations, aligns with the firm’s focus on backing technologies that promote “American dynamism,” a growing trend among conservative venture capital firms [1].

Polymarket, founded in 2020, enables users to bet on the outcomes of real-world events such as elections, court decisions, and geopolitical developments. The platform has processed over $8 billion in bets, including $2.5 billion during the 2024 U.S. election cycle, and now holds the title of the world’s largest prediction market by trading activity. In the first half of 2025 alone, users wagered around $6 billion on the platform [1].

Trump Jr. emphasized that the platform “cuts through media spin and so-called ‘expert’ opinion by letting people bet on what they actually believe will happen.” He also stated that the U.S. needs access to such a platform and framed his role as part of a mission to “bring truth and transparency to everyone, including the U.S.” [1].

Shayne Coplan, Polymarket’s founder and CEO, described the partnership as a “significant milestone” for the company. He stated, “We are proud to formally welcome 1789 Capital as a strategic partner and Donald Trump Jr. to our advisory board as we continue building our platform to reflect real-world sentiment, in real time, for all to see.” [1]

The timing of the announcement is notable, given Polymarket’s recent growth and regulatory developments. The company is nearing the completion of a $200 million funding round led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, which would value it at $1 billion and grant it unicorn status [1]. Additionally, Polymarket recently acquired QCEX, a derivatives exchange and clearinghouse licensed by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), positioning it to re-enter the U.S. market after years of restrictions [1].

Polymarket had technically barred U.S. users since 2022 following a regulatory settlement, but in July 2025, both the Department of Justice and the CFTC closed their investigations into the company without taking further action. This resolution cleared a major regulatory hurdle for Polymarket’s expansion [1].

Coplan, who had previously revealed that the FBI raided his home during the investigation, described the outcome as a “vindication” and posted, “Justice prevailed. God Bless America,” on X [1].

In addition to regulatory developments, Polymarket has secured high-profile partnerships to enhance its visibility. In June 2025, it became the official prediction market partner of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. The collaboration integrates Polymarket’s forecasts with AI-powered analysis from Musk’s xAI chatbot, Grok, offering real-time crowd-sourced predictions alongside trending social media content [1].

For 1789 Capital, the Polymarket investment represents a strategic move in a broader initiative. Omeed Malik, the firm’s founder, stated, “Polymarket stands at the intersection of free expression and financial innovation by empowering individuals with real-time truth in a world clouded by noise, and we are proud to support its vision” [1].

Prediction markets have long been recognized for their ability to outperform traditional polling, often capturing shifts in public sentiment more quickly. Polymarket’s trading activity has already surpassed that of major sports betting platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings, signaling its growing influence in the financial and political forecasting space [1].

Donald Trump Jr.’s involvement in crypto-linked ventures has been expanding, including a $4 million stake in Thumzup Media Corp. in July. The company, which pays users for brand promotions on Instagram, has faced financial challenges despite holding Bitcoin on its balance sheet. Recently, Thumzup’s board approved plans to hold up to $250 million in cryptocurrencies, expanding its exposure beyond Bitcoin to include Ether, Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, and USDC [1].

The Trump family’s involvement in crypto also extends through Eric Trump’s American Bitcoin, a firm launched in March and majority-owned by Hut 8. The company raised $220 million—partly in Bitcoin—to fund large-scale mining operations and Bitcoin reserves. American Bitcoin is preparing for a Nasdaq listing under the ticker ABTC through a merger with Gryphon Digital Mining, a deal that would give the Trump brothers and existing shareholders 98% control [1].

In addition, on August 16, 2025, it was reported that American Bitcoin is exploring acquisitions in Asia, including a publicly listed company in Japan, to expand its Bitcoin holdings in line with the strategy of Michael Saylor’s company. On the same day, Trump Jr. launched a Telegram channel called The DeFiant Ones, positioning it as the official hub for an upcoming family-backed crypto project [1].

These developments reflect a broader push by the Trump family into digital assets, aligning with President Donald Trump’s recent softening stance on crypto.

Source: [1] Trump Jr. Joins Polymarket Board as 1789 Capital Pours Millions (https://cryptonews.com/news/trump-jr-joins-polymarket-board-as-1789-capital-pours-millions/)