Trump Jr. Joins Polymarket Advisory Board Through 1789 Capital Investment
Donald Trump Jr. has joined Polymarket's advisory board following a new investment from 1789 Capital, the venture capital fund he helps lead.
The fund, which brands itself as "anti-ESG" and focuses on US-based companies aligned with conservative values, announced on Aug. 26 that it would be backing Polymarket. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.
Trump Jr. markets Polymarket as a platform that provides transparency by allowing users to predict the outcome of real-world events, bypassing media commentary and expert opinion. He stated that he would like to engage in cooperation with the company in its mission to offer open access for prediction markets within the US.
The action is in response to Trump Jr. joining rival platform Kalshi's advisory board this year, a sign that he is stepping up his involvement in the prediction marketplace segment. Neither company has had a smooth ride navigating the complex regulatory environment in the US, particularly concerning sports-related contracts.
"This strategic investment marks a significant milestone for Polymarket. Our long-term partnership with 1789 Capital will help reinforce Polymarket's leading position as a trusted source of free, transparent and accurate market information in the U.S. and around the world," said Shayne Coplan, Founder and CEO of Polymarket. "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."
Polymarket expands push
The investment from 1789 Capital follows Polymarket's $112 million acquisition of QCEX, a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearinghouse, which is central to its planned re-entry into the US market. The deal provides Polymarket with the regulatory environment it needs to operate its business in the US legally, following its exit in 2022 under pressure from federal agencies.
"Polymarket is the largest prediction market globally and has become synonymous with understanding the probability of current events," said Coplan. "Demand is greater than ever - not just in user growth and trading volume, but in how mainstream audiences are turning to Polymarket to separate signal from noise, bias, and speculation. Now, with the acquisition of QCEX, we are laying the foundation to bring Polymarket home - re-entering the US as a fully regulated and compliant platform that will allow Americans to trade their opinions."
Polymarket also made a deal with X, making the website its prediction market partner and extending its reach to a broader user base. These developments occur amid continued expansion for the company, as users have made an estimated $6 billion in transactions in the first half of 2025 alone.
