Spotify Finds Fake Streams, Forcing Market Updates and a Trader’s Exit

Spotify confirmed artificial streaming after a Kalshi trader flagged botting in Spotify-related markets; the company culled over 500,000 fake streams and adjusted its charts, moving Malcolm Todd’s song from #1 to #4. Kalshi then removed Spotify branding from related markets and said it’s coordinating with Spotify and Polymarket as investigations continue; Polymarket says it has not identified any immediate manipulation. The episode underscores vulnerabilities in chart-based prediction markets, prompting trader Caleb Davies to swear off such markets for now.