Cryptos and the world of online betting are giving rise to increasingly unpredictable scenarios: the latest example comes from Polymarket, where a contract has been opened that predicts a 3% probability that Jesus Christ will return before the end of 2025.
A bold hypothesis that mixes decentralized finance and biblical prophecies, highlighting how the crypto market is capable of encompassing even the most bizarre predictions.
Summary
When crypto interprets the Apocalypse: the bets on Polymarket
It is not the first time that Polymarket has attracted attention with out-of-the-ordinary bets. If in the past the platform had generated debates with predictions about Donald Trump’s victory, it now goes beyond the political world to venture into the realm of spirituality.
As of today, 44,760 dollars have been bet on this hypothesis, transforming an ancient religious belief into a profitable bet. Some esoteric groups support the validity of the event, basing their claims on prophetic calculations:
- – The Church of God refers to a “time of redemption” of 24 years, which began in 2000.
- – The Free Gift From God movement reinterprets the concept of the “70 weeks of Daniel”, using an Ottoman decree from 1535 issued by Suleiman the Magnificent.
These prophetic studies juxtapose seemingly unrelated historical and religious figures, from the Ottoman leader to Cardinal George Pell.
However, the majority of traditionalist exegetes reject these interpretations, recalling the gospel verse that states: “No one knows neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 24:36).
In such a context, it is the algorithms and the traders who decide the fate of the bet, and not the religious leaders. The speculators of the crypto market see the opportunity to earn regardless of the theological debate.
The contract states that “Yes” will be victorious only if the return of Christ occurs by December 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM New York time. However, a controversial aspect is the verification method: the decision will be made based on a “consensus of credible sources”.
But who will be responsible for determining what constitutes a “credible source”? In a decentralized context, where there are no unique and recognized authorities, this ambiguity could trigger endless disputes.
The controversy is similar to those that arose on Polymarket in the past, such as in the case of a bet on the strategic reserve of Bitcoin under the Trump administration. At the time, the main issue was the very definition of the concept of “strategic reserve”.
The possibility that a theological issue could turn into a technical dispute between analysts and crypto investors shows the new dimensions into which predictive markets are entering.
Cryptocurrencies and mysticism: a marriage at risk?
The cryptocurrency industry has always thrived on strong narratives, whether they are political, financial, or cultural. The bet on the return of Jesus fits perfectly into this dynamic.
The religious or historical truth matters little: what counts is the virality of the event and the involvement of the network.
The episode is not isolated. Already in 2021, another prediction had involved biblical events: a contract linked to the Apocalypse and the interruption of a “perpetual sacrifice” had generated great interest.
These phenomena suggest that the cryptocurrency market is not afraid to incorporate mystical and religious concepts, exploiting them in a speculative way.
In the face of this trend, important questions arise:
- – How far can decentralizzazione go?
- – What are the limits between personal beliefs and financial markets?
- – If today one bets on the return of Christ, what could become the object of speculation tomorrow?
The hypothesis of a “Messianic return” could leave room for increasingly imaginative predictions. There are those who already speculate on future bets on a possible alien invasion or the discovery of the Holy Grail.
The idea of betting on the return of Christ might seem paradoxical, but it reflects an increasingly evident reality: the integration between technology, finance, and religious symbolism. With the increase in digitalization, the line between reality and speculation becomes increasingly thin.
While on one hand these initiatives fuel the debate on the credibility of forecasts in decentralized markets, on the other hand they reveal a broader scenario. The crypto sector exploits the desire for storytelling and mass involvement, surpassing the boundaries of rationality.
With a probability set at 3%, the event appears highly unlikely. However, what is striking is the blend between the sacred and the digital, with smart contracts intertwining with ancient prophecies.
In a world where everything becomes a bet, the real question is not whether the Messiah will return, but to what extent the markets will push the limits of collective credulity.
