An editor for YouTube’s popular creator, MrBeast, faced accusations from predictions market Kalshi of insider trading on the platform. Kalshi’s investigation suggested that Artem Kaptur, the editor, used non-public insider information about MrBeast videos to guide his bets concerning the MrBeast YouTube channel.
Prediction markets like Kalshi and competitor Polymarket let users bet on various future events, such as election outcomes, album sales, or movie sequel announcements. Kalshi did not specify the bets Kaptur made about MrBeast, but markets often enable users to bet on specifics, like words MrBeast might say in an upcoming video—info a video editor might influence. Users can also trade on when MrBeast will get married or when his company, Beast Industries, might announce an IPO.
TechCrunch contacted Beast Industries for a statement. Kalshi reported that Kaptur traded around $4,000 on YouTube streaming markets in August and September 2025, resulting in a $5,397.58 profit. Consequently, Kalshi fined him this amount plus a $15,000 penalty and banned him for two years. Kalshi intends to donate the fine to a consumer education non-profit.
Kalshi also fined Kyle Langford, a political candidate in California, for trading about $200 on his own candidacy and sharing it online.
The vastness of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket makes it challenging to prevent users from exploiting private knowledge, a violation of rules. Similar stock-related offenses can lead to up to 20 years in federal prison. The potential for manipulation in these markets has caught the attention of U.S. lawmakers.
Recently, a Polymarket user suspiciously bet $32,000 on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro being removed from power, coinciding with Maduro’s capture by the U.S. military, leading to a $400,000 payout. In response, Representative Ritchie Torres proposed legislation making it illegal for government employees to trade on prediction markets involving government policy or political outcomes.
Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour expressed support for this bill in a LinkedIn post, stating that Kalshi already follows such rules. Mansour remarked that insider trading cases aren’t happening on U.S.-based platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. He emphasized that this American bill targets regulated U.S. companies and doesn’t apply to unregulated, foreign companies, where alleged issues occur, noting key distinctions within the industry.