In this week’s Market Maker Podcast M&A episode, we break down the biggest deals moving markets right now. We start with Axel Springer’s $770 million acquisition of the Daily Telegraph, the proposed Airbus–Leonardo–Thales space merger aimed at competing with SpaceX, and the latest developments in the Monte dei Paschi–Mediobanca deal. We also discuss a new take-private bid for Papa John’s and a recent investment into AmplifyME.

We then dive into the rapid rise of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. These platforms allow users to trade contracts on real-world outcomes—from crypto prices and politics to economic events. With valuations potentially approaching $20 billion, we explore how prediction markets work, why hedge funds are beginning to exploit arbitrage opportunities, and whether this could evolve into a new financial market infrastructure or remain a controversial betting niche.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(01:18) Axel Springer Buys the Telegraph

(05:11) European Space Merger vs SpaceX

(06:52) Monte dei Paschi–Mediobanca Deal

(07:24) Papa John’s Take-Private Bid

(10:27) AmplifyME Investment Explained

(13:33) What Are Prediction Markets?

(20:06) Prediction Market Size

(22:52) Who Built Polymarket & Kalshi?

(29:02) Hedge Funds Enter Prediction Markets

(32:49) Market Manipulation Risks

(38:42) Regulation & Legal Risks

(41:51) The Bull Case for Prediction Markets

(42:43) The Bear Case for Prediction Markets

(46:01) Final Thoughts

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