Polymarket hires Mike Eidlin to seek Tokyo approval by 2030

Polymarket appointed Mike Eidlin, who currently runs Japan operations at crypto firm Jupiter, to lead its effort to obtain regulatory approval for prediction markets in Tokyo by 2030. The company set a four-year timeline to engage Japanese authorities and pursue a formal ruling on the legal status of its event contracts.

The platform’s event contracts are currently restricted for users in Japan. Polymarket plans to use the multi-year period to present its product to regulators and adjust its compliance and product design to meet local rules. Eidlin’s responsibilities will concentrate on regulatory outreach and compliance work in Tokyo.

Japanese regulators have not yet classified event contracts. Whether the contracts are treated as betting, derivatives or another regulated product will determine which agencies have authority and what licensing or oversight is required. Polymarket’s work in Japan is expected to include technical changes, preparation of compliance documentation and discussions with multiple regulatory bodies.

Polymarket already restricts or blocks access in more than 30 jurisdictions, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Poland. Authorities in Argentina ordered a nationwide block of the platform in March. The company had been barred from operating in the United States for roughly three years before regaining clearance from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission in September 2025.

Other platforms offering event-based contracts have faced regulatory actions in several markets, and some firms have sought formal approval or limited access where rules are unclear. Polymarket’s campaign in Tokyo will aim to clarify how Japanese law applies to its contracts and what regulatory requirements would apply.