As the hours of uncertainty over the fate of the OceanGate Titan submarine continue to increase, a chilling scenario unfolds on the internet. The submarine, carrying five passengers and exploring the Titanic wreckage, disappeared on June 18, fueling a high-stakes crypto betting frenzy on Polymarket, a popular online gambling platform.
The manned submarine was stocked with 96 hours worth of oxygen. As this limit has likely been breached, the prospects for the vessel’s crew appear dire. Despite the ominous undertones, crypto traders have been placing wagers on whether the submarine will be discovered by midnight on June 23. Over $1 million has been wagered so far.
Polymarket has specified that for the bet to win, the missing submarine’s cabin, potentially holding the passengers, must be located. The discovery of only debris without the cabin will not count. Current betting trends show an 84% lean towards the submarine not being found.
This macabre speculation on the outcome of a life-or-death situation has resulted in heated debates across various online platforms. Some have criticized it as dystopian and inhuman, while others have darkly contemplated sinking their bonuses into the gamble. “Gambling on lives is actually insane,” a tweet from video game publication Dexerto summed up the general sentiment.
Polymarket, seemingly undeterred by the public outcry, leverages the controversy for promotional purposes. Responding to viral tweets about the missing submarine, Polymarket fueled further speculation.
The outcome of the bet hinges on an official statement by OceanGate, the U.S. Coast Guard, or any other credible government agency. In the absence of such a statement, a consensus based on credible reporting will be considered.
As the world waits for news of the Titan’s crew, the spectacle of a crypto gamble on their fate continues to unfold at the unsettling intersection of human tragedy and digital opportunism.