Prediction market platform Polymarket is preparing for a potential entry into Japan and aims to secure regulatory authorization in the country by 2030, according to Bloomberg. The company has already appointed Philipp Ottensmeyer, a former Deribit executive, as its regional head for Japan.

For Polymarket, Japan is part of a broader international expansion strategy. The country is considered a difficult but attractive market for crypto and fintech companies, combining a sophisticated investor base with strict licensing standards. That makes a fast launch unlikely. Instead, the company appears to be taking a long-term approach built around regulatory engagement.

Polymarket has not launched a licensed Japanese service yet. The current plan is about preparation, market entry work and future authorization. This distinction matters because prediction markets often sit between financial products, event betting and digital-asset regulation, making local approval especially important.

The move comes as Polymarket expands beyond traditional political and sports markets. The platform recently introduced prediction markets tied to private companies such as SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic through a partnership with Nasdaq Private Market. That suggests Polymarket is trying to position prediction markets as a broader financial-information layer, not just a niche crypto betting product.