Special forces soldier arrested for $400K Polymarket insider trading on Maduro operation
Original: Authorities arrest special forces soldier who allegedly made $400K on Polymarket bet involving Maduro operation
Why This Matters
First major case of insider trading on prediction markets involving classified military information
U.S. Justice Department arrested special forces soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke for allegedly using classified information to make $400,000 on Polymarket bets about Venezuelan President Maduro's removal from power during Operation Absolute Resolve.
Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a special forces soldier involved in planning Operation Absolute Resolve that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, was arrested Thursday for insider trading on Polymarket. Between December 27, 2025 and January 26, 2026, Van Dyke allegedly made 13 bets totaling $33,034 on markets including 'U.S. Forces in Venezuela by January 31, 2026' and 'Maduro out by January 31, 2026.' He reportedly earned over $400,000 from these wagers using classified information from his military role. Van Dyke had signed nondisclosure agreements prohibiting revelation of classified information. He faces charges including violating the Commodity Exchange Act, wire fraud, and unlawful monetary transactions. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that federal laws protecting national security information apply to prediction markets.