Polymarket makes moves to get house in order before expected boom times for prediction markets this fall

Polymarket banner outside the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 7th, 2025.Kevin Stankiewicz | CNBCPrediction market platform Polymarket is preparing for what's expected to be a busy fall season for event contract exchanges by making high-profile hires and restructuring its marketing strategy. Polymarket hired Travis VanderZanden, founder of E-Scooter startup Bird in 2017, as its chief growth officer. VanderZanden previously worked at Uber Technologies and Lyft as well.Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan "is the visionary of the prediction market space, and this is a massive market opportunity," VanderZanden said in a statement to CNBC. "It's an exciting time to come in as we build out the executive team to help guide the next stage and make sure we're buttoned up for the long haul."Bloomberg first reported VanderZanden's appointment last week.Shayne Coplan, chief executive officer of Polymarket, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesVanderZanden will also oversee Polymarket's marketing, a person familiar with the matter said. That's an area of the company's business that came under scrutiny fol...