Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market platform built on the Polygon blockchain. Users trade event contracts using USDC stablecoin, with prices reflecting the probability of real-world outcomes. It is currently the largest prediction market by trading volume and open interest, with particular strength in political and macroeconomic markets.

Is Polymarket legal in the US?

Polymarket's terms of service prohibit US users from trading on the platform. In 2024, the US Department of Justice and CFTC investigated Polymarket's CEO over allegations of allowing US users to access the platform. US residents using VPNs or other circumvention methods to trade on Polymarket face potential legal risk. US residents seeking regulated alternatives should consider Kalshi, which holds a CFTC Designated Contract Market license.

How does Polymarket make money?

Polymarket charges a 2% fee on profits from winning trades. There is no fee on losing trades or on deposits and withdrawals. The platform does not take any directional position in its markets — it operates as a neutral exchange connecting buyers and sellers.

How accurate are Polymarket odds?

Polymarket odds have shown strong calibration in retrospective analyses, particularly for high-liquidity political and economic markets. Academic research and post-election reviews of the 2024 US presidential race found that Polymarket's final odds were well-calibrated — contracts priced at 65% resolved YES roughly 65% of the time over large samples. However, thin markets on less-followed topics may be less reliable.

What blockchain does Polymarket use?

Polymarket operates on the Polygon (MATIC) network, an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain. This choice allows for low transaction fees and fast settlement compared to the Ethereum mainnet. All contract settlements and payouts are recorded on-chain and use USDC as the collateral and settlement currency.

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Polymarket News

Polymarket is the world’s largest prediction market by trading volume and open interest, operating on the Polygon blockchain with USDC settlement. Founded in 2020, the platform has grown to host hundreds of millions of dollars in active contracts across political, economic, sports, and cultural events.

During the 2024 US presidential election, Polymarket became a widely cited source of real-time probability estimates, with its markets attracting global media attention. The platform’s central limit order book (CLOB) architecture provides institutional-grade execution quality, while its on-chain settlement through UMA Protocol ensures transparent and verifiable resolution.

Latest Polymarket Articles

Cointelegraph·Crypto·9h ago

Polymarket user gains $400K betting on ZachXBT investigation

A Polymarket user earned $400K by correctly betting on outcomes related to blockchain investigator ZachXBT's investigation, demonstrating profitable opportunities in crypto-related prediction markets.