YouTuber’s Desert Fast Sparks Insider Trading Scandal on Polymarket
A highly publicized water fast undertaken by British “danger tourist” Lord Miles has triggered an alleged insider trading scandal on the prediction market platform Polymarket. Miles Routledge, who uses the title Lord Miles, streamed his attempt to complete a 40-day water fast in the desert.
The challenge generated a Polymarket contract, “Lord Miles completes 40-day water fast in the desert?” The market became one of the platform’s most active, with over $14 million wagered. The controversy erupted after Miles vanished from his live stream and was reportedly hospitalized after completing 34 days of the fast.
Market Manipulation and Accusations
Miles’ sudden disappearance in late September caused the contract’s probability of success to plummet from 68% to as low as 6%. Polymarket initially settled the wager as “no.”
The resulting controversy has two main sets of accusations:
Insider Trading Allegation: Crypto investigator Coffeezilla accused Lord Miles of secretly betting against himself. Coffeezilla alleged that Miles transferred funds to a Polymarket account and wagered on the “no” outcome for his own fast, reportedly earning over $60,000.
Third-Party Conspiracy: After the disappearance, Miles’ official account, run by an associate, claimed Miles was alive but detained by Saudi intelligence based on “false allegations.” Miles’ representatives suggested an “American” had bribed a journalist to publish false reports, manipulating Saudi police to detain Miles. The goal was allegedly to prevent him from finishing the challenge, thereby allowing those betting “no” on Polymarket to secure profits in the “high six figures.”
Polymarket Faces Backlash During US Launch
The scandal generated significant anger among Polymarket users. Critics accused the platform of changing its settlement rules after the fact and enabling fraud, insider trading, and market manipulation. The controversy is particularly damaging as it coincides with Polymarket’s planned U.S. launch.
In response to the backlash, Polymarket extended the deadline for the wager. The platform stated the market would settle as “no” if Lord Miles failed to release footage of the missing time, unless “credible evidence” proves the authenticity of his fast. Polymarket also removed an earlier post sharing a statement from Miles’ team, suggesting the platform is attempting to distance itself from the negative reaction.
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