Regulators Extend 4 Insider Trading Theories to Digital Assets and Prediction Markets
Updated
Updated · FinTech Global · Aug 19
Regulators Extend 4 Insider Trading Theories to Digital Assets and Prediction Markets
3 articles · Updated · FinTech Global · Aug 19
Summary
Regulators are applying existing insider-trading doctrine to tokens, tokenised instruments and prediction markets rather than drafting a new rulebook, according to compliance software firm StarCompliance.
Four established theories still anchor enforcement: classical insider trading, misappropriation, shadow trading and conduct risks tied to influencing or exploiting event-contract outcomes.
Recent scrutiny of prediction markets shows regulators are willing to pursue trades linked to regulatory decisions, mergers and macro events when confidential information is misused.
SEC v. Panuwat has widened the risk to economically related assets, pushing compliance teams to monitor blockchain ecosystems, exchanges and prediction platforms—not just single securities or brokerage accounts.
The broader message for firms is that legal expectations around trust, confidentiality and market integrity remain intact even as trading shifts into digital and tokenised markets.