Polymarket Targets VPN Users Amid Global Legal Challenges
Polymarket Cracks Down on VPN Users as Legal Pressure Intensifies in Dozens of Countries

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Polymarket is intensifying its crackdown on users employing VPNs to bypass geoblocking measures as it faces mounting legal scrutiny in over 30 countries, including bans in Spain and Indonesia. The platform is implementing technical barriers and identity verification to comply with anti-money laundering regulations.
- 01Polymarket is blocking specific IP addresses associated with VPN services to enforce geoblocking rules.
- 02The platform is now requesting identity verification from users with large or rapid transactions to comply with anti-money laundering regulations.
- 03Over 30 jurisdictions have imposed restrictions or outright bans on prediction markets like Polymarket, with Spain and Indonesia being recent additions.
- 04The CFTC has previously settled with Polymarket for $1.4 million for operating unregistered binary options.
- 05Regulatory pressure is also increasing on VPN providers, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
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Polymarket has begun actively blocking users who utilize VPNs to circumvent its geoblocking restrictions, implementing measures such as IP address blocking and identity verification requests. This shift comes in response to escalating legal and regulatory pressures globally, with more than 30 jurisdictions, including Spain and Indonesia, imposing bans on prediction markets. The platform's new approach aims to comply with anti-money laundering regulations, particularly for users engaging in large or rapid transactions. Polymarket's international operations remain distinct from its U.S. arm, which mandates full Know Your Customer compliance following its acquisition of a licensed derivatives exchange in 2025. The regulatory landscape for prediction markets is contentious, with differing classifications worldwide, leading to actions against platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi. Furthermore, VPN providers are facing heightened scrutiny, as some jurisdictions are exploring stricter regulations to prevent users from bypassing age restrictions and other online regulations. Critics warn that these trends may lead to the end of anonymous internet access.
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The crackdown on VPN users could significantly affect access to Polymarket for individuals in restricted regions, limiting their ability to participate in prediction markets.
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