Polymarket Halts International Trading After Hackers Drain Accounts

Wired · 2026-10-29
Polymarket Halts International Trading After Hackers Drain Accounts

Polymarket, the blockchain-based prediction market, temporarily suspended trading for international users after a security breach allowed hackers to drain funds from user accounts. The company attributed the compromise to an unnamed third-party provider, underscoring the risks of relying on external services in the crypto space. Trading has since resumed, and Polymarket has pledged to reimburse affected traders, aiming to restore trust in its platform. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges facing decentralized finance platforms, where a single vulnerable provider can expose user assets. As prediction markets gain mainstream attention, robust security measures and transparent incident response will be critical for user confidence. Polymarket's swift action and commitment to making users whole may mitigate damage, but the breach serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence in the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem.