Ukraine bans Polymarket: Decentralized prediction platform faces regulatory crackdown

SignatureVerifier · 2026-01-13T07:40:11+00:00

The Ukrainian government has regulated the decentralized prediction platform Polymarket, considering its operations as unlicensed gambling activities. It has been added to the internet ban list, restricting access for local users. This demonstrates the increasing strictness of global regulation on decentralized financial platforms, especially those involving prediction and gambling applications.

SignatureVerifier

2026-01-13 07:40:11

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【ChainNews】The Ukrainian government has recently taken regulatory actions against decentralized prediction platforms. The National Electronic Communications Regulatory Commission (NCEC), in conjunction with the newly established Gaming Regulatory Authority PlayCity, officially implemented restrictions on Polymarket on January 12.

The key reason for this enforcement is straightforward—under Ukrainian law, the operation of Polymarket’s markets constitutes unlicensed gambling activity. The regulatory authorities specifically emphasized that the platform has not obtained the legal permits required to organize and conduct gambling activities locally.

In terms of enforcement, according to Resolution No. 695, polymarket.com has been added to the national list of prohibited internet resources. This means all local Ukrainian electronic communication service providers are required to restrict user access. In other words, Ukrainian internet users cannot directly access this platform through local ISPs.

This case reflects the ongoing tightening of global regulation on decentralized financial platforms—especially those involving prediction and gambling-related applications. This is a noteworthy development for users and project teams involved in such areas.

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AirdropHunterXiao

· 01-13 08:01

Ha, another tactic where the government doesn't understand and just bans first. Poly being targeted this time is indeed a bit intense. Just ban it, anyway people still have VPNs. Do they really think banning a domain name can stop Web3 users? Ukraine's move feels like a negative example for other countries. Ordinary users are the most innocent, but to be fair, Poly indeed doesn't have a local license. The regulatory authorities are not wrong about this point. That's why I've always said we need to find truly compliant platforms, or else you'll eventually get caught.

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DegenDreamer

· 01-13 07:56

Now it's good, another one has been banned. Ukraine's methods are really ruthless. --- The walls are getting more and more, Web3 is becoming increasingly difficult. --- The label of illegal gambling is so smooth... They really treat prediction markets as gambling. --- Should polymarket users get a good VPN? Haha --- Regulations and bans again, how many countries has this happened in? --- Basically, it's a matter of control. Centralization is always easier to manage than decentralization. --- I'm just curious, how many people who truly want to play can be stopped by banning an ISP...

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OnchainHolmes

· 01-13 07:46

Here we go again, starting with the excuse of "illegal gambling"... Eventually, the whole world will have to accept this.

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MoneyBurnerSociety

· 01-13 07:46

Another decentralized platform has been taken down, this time even Ukraine is involved. The list banning is truly incredible. Classifying prediction markets as gambling is indeed a huge joke, but the regulators buy into it. Thinking back to those DeFi projects that claimed to be censorship-resistant, now they are cut off by ISPs, and it's not funny anymore. Poly, this time, really had a rough patch. We still have to follow the compliant path, everyone. Adding more to the reverse indicators is indeed a thing. Regulators are coming, and you can't run away. Anonymity within sovereignty will always be a fantasy. But on the other hand, this is why multi-chain deployment is so important, my friend. The right to define gambling is in their hands. No matter how decentralized you are, it's useless. Switch to VP or change your identity, or just honestly use a licensed exchange, everyone.

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