Polymarket was founded in 2020 by Shayne Coplan and became the world’s most famous prediction market during the 2024 US election, when more than $3.6 billion was traded on the presidential race alone. In 2025 it bought QCEX, a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearinghouse, which allowed it to return to the US legally with a separate, federally regulated app: Polymarket US.
Polymarket US is a different product from the international crypto platform. It’s funded in US dollars, needs no crypto wallet, and is regulated by the CFTC. Backed by up to $2 billion from Intercontinental Exchange (the owner of the NYSE) and valued at more than $20 billion, Polymarket is one of the most heavily funded companies in the prediction market space.
What stands out
Brand power and partnerships set Polymarket apart. It’s the official prediction market partner of X, the UFC, the NHL, Serie A, the Bundesliga and the New York Yankees, and DraftKings uses it as a clearinghouse. Its odds are quoted widely across news and social media.
The US app covers the NFL, college football, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, soccer, tennis, golf and esports. There are also politics markets, including a 2026 Midterms Hub, plus economics, weather, culture and crypto. Combos, added in August 2026, let you build parlay-style trades. The exchange runs a full order book with limit and market orders, and you can sell positions any time before settlement. Makers earn a rebate on every filled order.
New users get a $50 trading bonus for a $10 deposit. Polymarket US is available in every state except Nevada, the widest footprint of the major prediction markets. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees, and funding runs through debit card, ACH, Apple Pay or wire.
Worth knowing before you sign up
The US app has a much smaller range of markets than Polymarket’s international site, and fewer niche sports and props than Kalshi. It’s mobile-only with no desktop trading, and Android access has rolled out more slowly than iOS. PayPal, Venmo and crypto aren’t supported. Card and ACH deposits take 3–4 business days to clear before you can withdraw them, and payouts can take 3–5 business days.
Taker fees rose on September 25, 2026, to about $1.74 per 100 contracts at a 50¢ price. Polymarket faces legal action in several states, including a lawsuit from New York filed in September 2026, and Nevada is blocked by court order.
The verdict
Polymarket brings the most recognisable name in prediction markets to US traders in a fully regulated form. It pairs broad state availability with a generous welcome bonus and top-tier league partnerships. It’s a strong pick for traders who want a clean, mobile-first app and a mix of sports, politics and culture markets, especially as its US range keeps growing.
