CZ-backed YZi Labs doubles down on Predict.fun ahead of World Cup as Binance tests in-app prediction markets

CZ-backed venture firm YZi Labs has made a new follow‑on investment in Predict.fun, a crypto‑native prediction market protocol on BNB Chain, as activity on the platform accelerates ahead of the 2026 men’s football World Cup. The round also includes Susquehanna Crypto, the digital asset arm of trading giant Susquehanna International Group, underscoring rising institutional interest in on‑chain prediction markets at the same time as Binance experiments with in‑app prediction features and fan engagement around major sporting events. Predict.fun, a self‑custodial platform where users trade on outcomes across crypto prices, sports, politics and macro events in USDT, has processed more than $1.8 billion in cumulative trading volume, over 4 million matched orders and attracted more than 130,000 users since launching in late 2025. It differentiates itself by routing user collateral into DeFi strategies so that open positions earn yield, aiming to make prediction markets more capital‑efficient than traditional betting-style venues. The project recently launched a large World Cup‑focused campaign, “Predict Cup,” featuring a $2 million prize pool and dedicated tournament hub, positioning the protocol to capture attention from global football audiences as interest in sports‑based prediction grows. For YZi Labs, which is backed by Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao and manages about $10 billion across Web3, AI and related sectors, the decision to “double down” on Predict.fun follows the team’s graduation from the firm’s EASY Residency incubation program and aligns with its strategy to back data‑rich, on‑chain markets that can feed both trading and AI applications. The participation of Susquehanna Crypto, one of the world’s largest options and ETF market makers, is intended to improve liquidity and market quality on Predict.fun as prediction protocols compete to become institutional‑grade venues. In parallel, Binance has been piloting in‑app prediction features and gamified markets tied to major events, suggesting that both the exchange ecosystem and its affiliated venture capital are betting that prediction markets could become a core primitive for user engagement, information discovery and fee generation in the next phase of Web3.

✨ AI-generated background, compiled from web sources — not editorial content.

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