Vice President Kamala Harris' chances in the upcoming U.S. presidential election have notably increased following her debate with former President Donald Trump.
Both Harris and Trump are now tied on Polymarket, each with a 49% probability of winning, according to the $860 million prediction market. This surge comes after Tuesday’s debate, which addressed key issues like the war in Gaza and abortion rights, although cryptocurrency was notably absent from the discussion.
Polymarket punters back Harris to win
Polymarket bettors overwhelmingly backed Harris, with 94% believing she won the debate, although official polls have yet to confirm this view. Her chances on the platform climbed from 46% to 49%, while Trump’s declined from 52%.
related reading:Kamala Harris Matches Trump in Presidential Betting Odds on Polymarket
Crypto Market Steady Amid Debate
While Bitcoin briefly rose to over $58,000 before the debate, it later dipped and stabilised around $56,797. Crypto market expert Justin d’Anethan observed no major reactions from the market, suggesting Bitcoin is waiting for more substantial triggers, such as a policy shift from the Federal Reserve or a significant political event.
Trump, Harris-related token prices drop
Tokens linked to the candidates, including Super Trump (STRUMP) and Kamala Horris (KAMA), also saw fluctuations, with Trump-linked tokens dropping by 6.8%, while Harris-linked tokens saw a decline of 5.7%.
Bloomberg’s Integration of Polymarket Data
Bloomberg recently announced plans to integrate Polymarket election odds into its terminal, underscoring the growing influence of blockchain-based prediction markets in tracking real-time election outcomes.
However, the rise of platforms like Polymarket has sparked political concerns. A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives, including figures like Elizabeth Warren, has called for a ban on betting linked to elections, warning it could undermine public trust in the democratic process.
related reading:U.S. lawmakers urge U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to ban polymarket platforms from 2024 election betting