OpenAI fires employee for using confidential info on prediction markets

Source: TechCrunch

Image Credits: Bryce Durbin / TechCrunch

OpenAI employee termination

OpenAI has fired an employee over activity on prediction markets, including Polymarket, the company confirmed to Wired. The employee used confidential OpenAI information in connection with the trades made, the company alleges.

OpenAI did not release the name of the employee. A spokesperson said the actions violated a company policy that bans workers from using inside information for personal gain, including on prediction markets.

Prediction markets context

Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi allow people to wager on the outcomes of real‑world events. For instance, on Polymarket there are wagers being made around the kinds of products OpenAI will announce in 2026 and when the company will go public. They can cover any event, and substantial sums can be earned. As reported earlier, an accountant won a $470,300 jackpot on Kalshi by betting against DOGE believers.

Prediction markets insist they are not gambling sites, preferring to label themselves as financial platforms. Kalshi is a regulated exchange and, in fact, it fined and banned a MrBeast editor for similar alleged insider trading earlier this week.

Company response

OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.