Singer Drake placed a $1.5 million USDT wager via crypto gambling platform Stake on Argentina to beat Spain in regulation, a bet that would pay $5,175,000 but only pays if Argentina wins within 90 minutes — a condition that cost him a prior World Cup payout. Kalshi’s prediction market prices Spain at 43% and Argentina at 28% with over $2.8 million in trading volume, and Tether’s CEO sharing the bet highlights growing celebrity-driven crypto adoption of stablecoins and prediction markets for wagering.

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In Brief

Drake could win $5.1 million if Argentina beats Spain in the World Cup final.
He wagered $1.5 million in USDT through crypto platform Stake.
Kalshi odds favor Spain at 43%, Argentina trails at 28%.

Canadian singer Drake has wagered $1.5 million USDT on Argentina to beat Spain in regulation time at Sunday’s World Cup final. A win would pay the rapper $5,175,000.

He placed the bet through the crypto gambling platform Stake and announced it on Instagram. In contrast, Spain enters the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium as the favorite.

🇦🇷🇪🇸 Drake's got money to burnHe just put $1.5 million on Argentina to beat Spain in the World Cup finalWith Spain already the favorite to win, his payout will be over $5M if things go Messi's way Writers: Mhedi, Ian pic.twitter.com/bCIN84NrNU
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 18, 2026

A World Cup Curse Looms Over the Bet

Soccer fans have already invoked the Drake Curse, the belief that teams he backs publicly falter at the worst moment. A similar regulation-time bet cost Drake his last World Cup payout, even though Argentina won it in extra time. The wager only pays out if Argentina wins within 90 minutes, excluding extra time and penalties.

The rapper’s crypto ties run deeper than betting slips. He referenced Bitcoin (BTC) on his new Iceman album this year, calling himself a “crypto big-timer.” This bet, however, relies entirely on a stablecoin rather than a volatile token.

Kalshi Odds Favor Spain in Regulation

Kalshi’s regulation-time market prices Spain’s win probability at 43%, compared with 28% for Argentina and 32% for a tie. Meanwhile, that gap mirrors how World Cup betting markets have leaned toward Europe throughout the knockout rounds. The Kalshi contract for Sunday’s World Cup game had already logged more than $2.8 million in trading volume.

Prediction markets have grown into a major venue for World Cup wagering this year. Kalshi recently expanded its World Cup prediction hub through a partnership with ADI Predictstreet. Still, Drake’s wager sits well outside that data-driven crowd.

Spain vs Argentina FIFA World Cup Prediction. Source: Kalshi

A Historic World Cup Night Beyond the Bet

Tether chief executive Paolo Ardoino shared news of the wager on X, adding an Argentine flag and a heart emoji. Celebrity wagers have become a running theme this World Cup, following a similar betting wave around Taylor Swift’s rumored wedding.

A first look at the first-ever championship rings for this year's FIFA World Cup winner 💍(via @FIFAcom) pic.twitter.com/snLLpw8OZh
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 17, 2026

The final also marks a first off the pitch. FIFA will award custom championship rings to World Cup winners for the first time, a tradition borrowed from American sports. Interest has spiked around other World Cup markets, including bets on the halftime show lineup.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. If Messi and Argentina deliver in regulation, Drake finally breaks even on a wager that has haunted him for years.

Read the article at BeInCrypto