Spotify Removes 500,000 Streams from Malcolm Todd Hit Following Alleged Betting Fraud

Spotify has stripped approximately 500,000 streams from Malcolm Todd’s breakout single “Earrings” following evidence of chart manipulation linked to the prediction market Kalshi. The song’s sudden 70 percent surge to the top of the U.S. daily chart triggered internal investigations into activity tied to platform-based betting. This incident highlights a growing threat to music industry data integrity as financial incentives from third-party gambling platforms begin to influence streaming metrics.

Spotify took action after Malcolm Todd’s “Earrings” experienced an unusual spike, jumping from number four to number one on the U.S. daily chart in a single day. According to a source at the streaming giant, the company removed roughly 500,000 fraudulent streams that were allegedly generated to influence outcomes on the prediction market Kalshi. While Todd and his team are not currently suspected of involvement, the song’s established popularity in the top five made it a prime target for bettors looking to profit from chart movements.

In response to the manipulation, Spotify clarified that it has no partnership with prediction markets like Kalshi or Polymarket and has formally requested that both platforms remove Spotify logos from their websites. The company emphasized that it employs best-in-class detection practices to mitigate manipulated streams and maintains a strict policy of not paying out royalties on such activity. Moving forward, a Spotify source confirmed the platform will implement additional verification checks on its charts before they are published to the public to prevent similar exploits.

The rise of prediction markets presents a new challenge for the music industry, as platforms like Kalshi now offer dozens of betting propositions based on Spotify and Billboard chart results. While streaming services have long battled fraud from 'stan' armies and nefarious actors, the ability for average listeners to financially profit from chart manipulation creates a powerful new incentive for artificial streaming. This trend reflects a broader intersection of entertainment and gambling, as seen in Polymarket’s partnership with the Golden Globes and Kalshi’s deals with major news outlets like CNN and CNBC.