Polymarket Paid Creators to Film Fake Trades on Replica Sites, 140M Views Today, WSJ Investigation Finds

According to Wall Street Journal investigation, Polymarket paid social media creators today (June 22) to film simulated trades on replica websites designed to mimic the real platform, generating over 140 million views across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. The covert campaign involved dozens of mostly college-age creators instructed to conceal their financial relationships with the company. Analysis of more than 1,100 videos identified 778 instances where creators appeared to place bets—all on counterfeit platform versions. Creators received between $2,000 and $3,000 per month and were directed not to disclose their compensation.

The campaign carries potential legal exposure under federal advertising law, which requires paid endorsers to disclose brand relationships, and commodities law, which prohibits deceptive practices in prediction markets. The CFTC, which has jurisdiction over prediction markets, previously brought enforcement actions against companies using simulated trades in marketing materials.