US Soldier Charged Over $400K Polymarket Bets Linked to Maduro Capture

Operation Absolute Resolve Insider Trading Allegations

A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier has been charged with making more than $400,000 through prediction market bets tied to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Federal prosecutors allege that Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke used classified information obtained during planning for “Operation Absolute Resolve,” a January 2026 mission that led to Maduro’s capture.

According to investigators, Van Dyke created an account on the prediction platform Polymarket in late December 2025. He allegedly placed multiple “yes” bets on contracts predicting Maduro’s removal and potential U.S. military action in Venezuela. These wagers, totaling roughly $33,000, later generated profits exceeding $409,000 once the operation succeeded.

Charges Include Fraud and National Security Violations

Authorities said Van Dyke attempted to conceal his actions by transferring proceeds to cryptocurrency accounts and requesting deletion of his Polymarket profile. He now faces charges including unlawful use of confidential government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, theft of nonpublic information, and unlawful monetary transactions.

Officials noted that Van Dyke had signed nondisclosure agreements prohibiting disclosure of classified operational details. Regulators also warned that misuse of sensitive military intelligence for financial gain raises serious national security concerns and highlights risks linked to insider trading on prediction markets.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.