Polymarket Bet of $400,000 Predicts Vladimir Putin Could Be Ousted by End of 2026

A user on the cryptocurrency‑based prediction market Polymarket placed a $400,000 wager that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be removed from office by 31 December 2026. The bet backs a “yes” answer to the question “Will Putin be ousted by the end of 2026?” despite market odds giving the outcome only about a 12 % chance. If the prediction proves correct, the bettor could collect more than $2.5 million.

The anonymous account, identified on Polymarket as “ZnotluvuiSamez” and using a profile image of the Ukrainian flag, also made a smaller $61,000 bet that Ukraine will retake Crimea within the same period. The bets come as U.S. regulators consider new rules to restrict prediction‑market wagering on sensitive topics such as wars and political violence, though the proposals have not yet been enacted.