Polymarket Allegedly Paid Controversial Influencers $350,000 Using Personal PayPal Account

Polymarket faces scrutiny as Politico reports that at least $350,000 was paid via a personal PayPal account to controversial influencers. The investigation identifies more than 800 recipients, including Nick Shirley, Riley Gaines, and Brian Krassenstein, paid between January 2025 and February 2026, with total transfers allegedly exceeding $2.5 million. About two dozen creators promoted Polymarket on X without disclosing paid partnerships, and some were said to have received scripts and timing guidance. Polymarket separately said it is terminating its contract with George Santos amid a CFTC investigation. The firm spent about $112 million last year on a federally regulated exchange, with Donald Trump Jr. noted as an investor and adviser to Kalshi.