Arabic version: تزايد المخاوف بشأن التداولات المشبوهة المرتبطة بأخبار الحرب مع إيران

Traders have engaged in suspiciously timed bets worth hundreds of millions of dollars since the onset of the US-Israeli war on Iran, raising questions about potential insider trading. According to Al Jazeera, platforms like Polymarket have seen a surge in anonymous betting on various outcomes related to the conflict.

Polymarket, which gained attention during the 2024 US presidential election, has become synonymous with questionable trading activities since January. This includes well-timed bets on US actions, such as plans to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, followed by the escalation of the war on Iran.

Research indicates that numerous accounts on Polymarket have placed large bets just before significant events, such as the US-Israeli strikes that began on February 28. An analyst reported discovering 38 accounts linked to one individual that collectively earned over $2 million from these bets.

Additionally, Wall Street has witnessed unusual trading activity, particularly before former President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding military actions. Reports noted a spike in oil futures trading, with significant contracts exchanged shortly before the news, leading to dramatic fluctuations in oil prices.

The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the nature of these trades, while some Democratic Party members are advocating for stricter regulations on prediction markets like Polymarket to prevent potential exploitation of sensitive information.