A US Army Special Forces soldier has been charged after authorities say he used sensitive government information to make large profits on a prediction market platform. The case involves a covert military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro in early January 2026.
Investigators allege the soldier used classified knowledge from that operation to place bets before the information became public.
Allegations From Authorities
Prosecutors say Gannon Ken Van Dyke accessed confidential details while working on Operation Absolute Resolve. He allegedly used that information to trade on a crypto based prediction platform.
Officials claim he:
- Opened a trading account in December 2025
- Placed bets linked to Maduro’s removal and military activity in Venezuela
- Invested more than thirty three thousand dollars using sensitive information
- Earned around four hundred thousand dollars in profit after the operation became public
Authorities say these actions happened while he had access to restricted military intelligence.
Polymarket Response
Polymarket says it detected unusual activity tied to government secrets and reported it to the US Department of Justice.
The company stated that it fully cooperated with investigators and supports strict action against misuse of information. It also said that insider trading has no place on its platform and described the arrest as proof that enforcement systems are working.
Charges Filed
Federal prosecutors have charged Van Dyke with multiple offenses, including:
- Fraud involving commodities trading
- Wire fraud
- Theft of government information
- Illegal use of confidential data for personal profit
- Unlawful financial transactions
Officials say he broke rules designed to protect national security information and financial integrity.
Government and Legal Reactions
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said military personnel are trusted with classified intelligence to protect national interests, not to gain financially.
US Attorney Jay Clayton added that prediction markets do not provide safe space for anyone misusing confidential government information.
Prosecutors also noted that Van Dyke signed agreements promising not to share or use classified information in any unauthorized way.
Timeline of Events
Authorities say the activity took place between early December 2025 and early January 2026. During this period, Van Dyke allegedly participated in planning and execution stages of the operation while placing trades based on insider knowledge.
