Polymarket Receives CFTC Approval to Operate in the United States

The world’s largest decentralized prediction market, Polymarket, has received its highly anticipated approval by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to operate in the United States.

According to PRNewswire, the CFTC has issued an Amended Order of Designation that allows the market to launch for both brokerages and users in the United States via FCMs (Futures Commission Merchants) and “traditional market infrastructure.”

The approval comes as prediction markets experience a Cambrian explosion, with total volumes on both Polymarket and Kalshi on track to break all-time highs again in November on the back of the NYC Mayoral Election and newfound success in sports betting.

“People rely on Polymarket because we provide clarity where there is confusion and accountability where there is ambiguity," said Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan.

"This approval allows us to operate in a way that reflects the maturity and transparency that the U.S. regulatory framework demands. We're grateful for the constructive engagement with the CFTC and look forward to continuing to demonstrate leadership as a regulated U.S. exchange," Coplan concluded.

The announcement comes almost a year to the day after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided Coplan’s house over alleged U.S. betting violations. This event also sparked a heated rivalry on social media between Polymarket and Kalshi, as Kalshi was outed for paying influencers to target Coplan after the FBI raid.

Following the news, the Polymarket around “Will Polymarket US go Live in 2025?” exploded, surging from 65c up to as high as 88c, before retracing all the way back down to 74c.