Sex rumors, personal insults and fights over Trump Jr.s affection: Inside the vicious battle between Polymarket and Kalshi
The bitter feud between the bosses of Polymarket and Kalshi has been even more vicious and petty than previously known – from battling over the affections of Donald Trump Jr.to the spreading of unsubstantiated, sex-drenched gossip, The Post has learned.Shayne Coplan, the 28-year-old, shaggy-haired CEO of prediction market giant Polymarket, is recognized as the world’s youngest self-made billionaire with a net worth of $1 billion.
Still, sources say Coplan has been consumed by an epic grudge match with Tarek Mansour, the 30-year-old, bespectacled CEO of archrival Kalshi.Mansour – whose app, like Polymarket’s, allows users to bet on sports, the weather, the Oscars and celebrity breakups – has a fortune currently pegged at $2.6 billion.Coplan has chafed over the fact that Kalshi – which he has branded a “copycat Polymarket” – has become bigger than Polymarket, sources said.Kalshi also reportedly tipped off the feds ahead of a November 2024 FBI raid of Coplan’s apartment in search of evidence that Polymarket was facilitating illegal gambling.Coplan – who was never arrested or charged following the seizure of his electronic devices – has referred to Kalshi as “ratty,” according to sources.But it’s with Mansour that Coplan’s animus has become decidedly personal.
According to one insider, Coplan’s preferred nickname for Mansour around Polymarket’s New York City offices is “Little Tarek” – a reference to Mansour’s height, the source added.Coplan also has repeatedly circulated an unconfirmed rumor about Mansour and his No.2 exec Luana Lopes Lara – namely, that the pair used to date and that the relationship allegedly ended with Lopes Lara cheating on Mansour.Kalshi spokeswoman Elisabeth Diana said Lopes Lara has never cheated on anyone, adding “Shayne should really focus on growing his company instead of spreading lies.
WTF.”Kalshi’s co-founders – who together have been the public face of the company, frequently appear...