- According to Bloomberg, from January 2025, more than 100,000 accounts on polymarket suffered losses amounting to several thousand dollars.
- The profit is received by a group of automated bots and “experienced” traders.
Prediction markets allow retail users to bet on real-world outcomes, but new data suggests profits are concentrated in the hands of a small group of traders.
April 29, 2026 Bloomberg опубликовал article that since January 2025, more than 100,000 accounts on polymarket suffered losses of several thousand dollars, which is almost double the number of wallets that recorded a similar profit.
A small group of automated bots and elite traders reaped the bulk of the profits, while the majority of users, including casual players, suffered losses.
Bloomberg data
The bulk of the profits went to a small group of traders with high trading volumes, likely using automated strategies. Excluding them, the remaining users recorded a total net loss of $131 million.
If you want to participate and make a living at it, you have to be damn good at it, said Charles Martineau, a professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.
Traditional bookmakers often restrict or ban consistently profitable players to protect their margins. polymarket doesn’t do this.
This makes the platform attractive to quantitative traders who view retail order flow as a source of liquidity. As retail activity increases, the conditions for systematic strategies also improve.
For brokers operating in these markets, the dynamic is familiar: most retail clients lose money, just like with other leveraged trading products. The difference lies in how this outcome is presented and how regulators may react when detailed loss data is disclosed.
Risk Warning:
The information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or financial recommendations. Cryptocurrencies and digital assets carry a high level of risk, including possible loss of capital. The editors are not responsible for decisions made based on the published materials. It is recommended that you conduct your own research (DYOR) before making investment decisions. Read the editorial policy. https://happycoin.club/about/