1789 Capital, the venture capital firm where Donald Trump Jr.—eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump—serves as a partner, is expected to make an additional investment of approximately $300 million (approximately ¥47 billion) in Polymarket, a leading prediction market platform. The Wall Street Journal reported the news on August 31, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The investment is part of a roughly $1 billion (approximately ¥160 billion) funding round led by 1789 Capital, which would value Polymarket at approximately $21 billion (approximately ¥3.3 trillion) upon completion. The specific use of proceeds has not been disclosed in available documents.
1789 Capital has reportedly invested a cumulative total of approximately $200 million (approximately ¥31 billion) in Polymarket to date. Once this additional investment is completed, the firm’s cumulative investment would reach approximately $500 million (approximately ¥79 billion) based on reported figures.
Relationship with Lead Shareholder ICE
Polymarket’s current lead shareholder is Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). ICE announced on March 27 that it had made an additional $600 million (approximately ¥94 billion) investment in Polymarket, bringing its total direct investment to $1.6 billion (approximately ¥250 billion) when combined with the $1 billion invested in October 2025.
In July, the company disclosed that its $1.6 billion investment represented 22% of outstanding shares. Based on publicly announced and reported direct investment amounts, 1789 Capital is expected to become the second-largest investor after ICE following the completion of this funding round.
InvestorCumulative InvestmentNotesICE$1.6 billion (approx. ¥250 billion)Equivalent to 22% of outstanding shares1789 CapitalApprox. $500 million (approx. ¥79 billion)Based on reported figures, including the latest $300 million
Note: ICE’s investment amount is the combined total of direct investments made in October 2025 and March 2026. 1789 Capital’s cumulative amount is based on Wall Street Journal reporting.
Ties to the Trump Family and Conflict-of-Interest Concerns
The relationship between the two companies dates back to before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan was seen alongside Trump Jr. and 1789 Capital founder Omeed Malik at the Republican National Convention at the time. After Trump won the presidential election, Trump Jr. joined 1789 Capital as a partner, and the firm subsequently invested in Polymarket again.
Addressing conflicts of interest surrounding the crypto ventures of Trump and his family has become a central point of contention in the CLARITY Act currently under consideration in the U.S. Congress. Democratic lawmakers have also called for investigations into 1789 Capital.
In an official announcement on August 26, 2025, Polymarket outlined its strategy to drive global adoption of prediction markets. The company is positioning itself to expand its business foundation as a platform that provides real-time public sentiment on politics, economics, culture, and international affairs.