Special Forces Soldier Indicted for Insider Trading

A U.S. special forces soldier has been arrested and indicted on multiple federal charges related to an alleged insider trading scheme. The scheme reportedly involved profiting from knowledge of a U.S. military operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Details of the Alleged Scheme

Profiting from Classified Information

The soldier, identified as Van Dyke, is accused of placing approximately $33,034 in bets on the success of the operation to remove Maduro from office. These bets, placed on the Polymarket prediction platform, allegedly generated a profit exceeding $409,000 for Van Dyke.

The indictment alleges Van Dyke leveraged sensitive, classified information obtained during his involvement in planning and executing the operation to make informed wagers on Polymarket. He placed these bets between December 27, 2025, and January 26.

Covering Tracks and Financial Transactions

Following his substantial winnings, authorities claim Van Dyke transferred the majority of the funds to a foreign cryptocurrency vault. He then deposited the money into a newly established online brokerage account.

On January 6, Van Dyke allegedly attempted to delete his Polymarket account, falsely claiming a loss of access to his email address. This occurred just three days after the raid on Maduro, suggesting an attempt to conceal his activities.

Official Reactions and Statements

Government Response

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the importance of protecting classified information, stating that service members are entrusted with this data for mission success and are prohibited from exploiting it for personal gain. FBI Director Kash Patel affirmed the FBI’s commitment to safeguarding national secrets and upholding the law.

President Donald Trump, when questioned about the arrest, expressed his disapproval of betting, comparing it to the case of baseball player Pete Rose. He described the world as having “somewhat become a casino.”

Polymarket's Cooperation

Polymarket has cooperated with the Department of Justice investigation and stated it has enhanced its market integrity rules to combat insider trading. The company emphasized that insider trading is unacceptable on its platform and that the arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of its new safeguards.

The Maduro Raid and its Impact

The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas during the U.S. military operation served as the catalyst for Van Dyke’s alleged illicit activities. The incident raises concerns about the security of classified information and the potential for exploitation in online prediction markets.