Ethereum Co-Founder Supports Hezbollah Betting on Polymarket

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin expressed his support for a Hezbollah betting section on the decentralized predictions platform Polymarket.

The platform includes markets on whether Israel will invade Lebanon within certain timeframes, if there will be a ceasefire, and if U.S. military action will occur in the region this year.

Concerns were raised by a crypto community member known as “Legendary” in a post on X, claiming that the section makes conflict appear as a game to bet on.

In response, Buterin stated that while Polymarket functions as a betting site for traders, it serves as a news platform for viewers. He argued that allowing public insight into the predictions of those with stakes in the game can combat misinformation and aid rational discourse.

Buterin clarified that the platform aims to establish accountability in speech, punishing both alarmism and unwarranted complacency, without the influence of government or corporate censorship.

When questioned about risks like assassination prediction markets that could provoke real-world actions, Buterin stated his opposition to such markets, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that these predictions do not serve as incentives for harmful actions.

He acknowledged the concern but commented that we are far from reaching such extremes, suggesting that Polymarket could implement size-based soft caps to mitigate risks.

Polymarket’s Future Plans

Buterin also participated in Polymarket’s $45 million Series B funding round, announced in May, which was led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund alongside existing investors 1confirmation and ParaFi. Reports suggest that Polymarket is considering raising over $50 million in fresh capital and launching a token, according to anonymous sources.