TechFlow News, June 15: According to Cointelegraph, Japanese cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank announced that it may restrict or suspend accounts engaged in deposits or withdrawals linked to prediction market platforms such as Polymarket. Bitbank stated that affected accounts may become inaccessible and be prohibited from deposits, withdrawals, and trading.
Bitbank noted that prediction markets—designed for profit and focused on future events such as election outcomes and sports events—may be classified as gambling under Japanese law. Although Japan has yet to issue formal, dedicated regulatory guidance on prediction markets, this announcement signals that local crypto institutions are adopting a more cautious stance toward such activities. Meanwhile, Polymarket continues to list Japan as a restricted jurisdiction.
