Bitbank, one of Japan’s major cryptocurrency exchanges, has warned its users against using their Bitbank accounts for Polymarket and other prediction market activities.

 

 

According to a press release from the exchange, the warning comes in compliance with Japan’s strict laws against prediction market activities, which it broadly categorizes as gambling.

 

“We would like to inform you of a cautionary note regarding the connection to and use of prediction market services, including Polymarket,” Bitbank wrote in a blog post.

 

“While these prediction market services may be operated by overseas companies, accessing them from within Japan and using them for the purpose of financial gain may constitute gambling or similar activities.”

 

As part of its enforcement measures, Bitbank said it may suspend accounts found to be involved in deposits or withdrawals related to prediction market services. If an account is suspended, the affected user will lose access to the account, including cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals, buying and selling of crypto assets, and withdrawals in Japanese yen.

 

Bitbank’s move to restrict accounts involved in prediction markets reflects the country’s strong stance against gambling overall. The country’s penal code criminalizes all forms of wagering or gambling activities, with prison sentences of up to five years for offenders.

 

Thus, while the country or any of its financial regulators have not outright banned prediction markets, crypto entities like Bitbank, for compliance purposes, are proactively distancing themselves from prediction markets.

 

Bitbank’s restriction on prediction market activities comes shortly after the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission released a framework that will guide the use of prediction market platforms. According to the framework, betting contracts related to terrorism, assassinations, and war are banned. Although sports event contracts can still be offered, they will be subject to thorough scrutiny to prevent manipulation.

 

Despite the regulatory bans and challenges facing the prediction market sector, prediction market companies continue to thrive and scale. Recently, Kalshi announced it had raised $1 billion at a valuation of $22 billion, while Polymarket said it was in talks with investors to raise $400 million at a valuation of $15 billion.