OpenAI terminates employee over misuse of confidential data on prediction markets

OpenAI has dismissed an employee for activity on prediction markets, including Polymarket, the company confirmed to Wired. According to OpenAI, the employee used confidential company information in connection with trades that were placed on those platforms.

The company did not disclose the employee's identity. However, a spokesperson said the conduct violated an internal policy prohibiting employees from using nonpublic information for personal benefit, including in connection with activities on prediction markets.

Prediction market platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi allow users to place wagers on the outcomes of real-world events. For example, Polymarket currently features bets on the types of products OpenAI may unveil in 2026 and on the timing of the company's eventual public offering. These markets can cover a wide range of events, and in some cases, large sums of money can be won. As previously reported, an accountant recently walked away with a $470,300 payout on Kalshi after betting against DOGE supporters.

Prediction market companies maintain that they should not be viewed as gambling websites, instead describing themselves as financial platforms. Kalshi is a regulated exchange, and earlier this week, it fined and banned a MrBeast editor over an alleged insider-trading case. So that you know, OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.