Decentralized prediction market Polymarket is making a significant return to the U.S. market, quietly launching a beta version of its platform for select American users. This move marks the company’s first meaningful domestic presence since settling a major enforcement case with U.S. regulators in 2022.
Regulatory Comeback
- Initial Setback: In 2022, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) fined Polymarket $1.4 million and forced it to cease domestic prediction market operations, pushing the platform offshore.
- Compliant Re-entry: The company spent three years restructuring. A crucial step was the acquisition of QCX in July 2025, which provided Polymarket with the necessary licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse permissions to create a compliant foundation for its U.S. comeback.
- Limited Access: Founder Shayne Coplan confirmed the U.S. platform is "live and operational" in this limited testing phase, which precedes a full public reopening.
Growth and Competitive Landscape
Despite its U.S. absence, Polymarket thrived abroad, hitting all-time highs in monthly volumes and active traders, fueled by the 2024–2025 U.S. election cycle. However, it faces stiff competition from regulated rival Kalshi, which recently surpassed it in trading volume.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Plans
Polymarket is leveraging major partnerships to drive mainstream adoption upon its return:
- PrizePicks: A new collaboration with the large fantasy sports app aims to onboard a sports-focused user base familiar with probabilistic wagering.
- Yahoo Finance: The platform secured an exclusive partnership with Yahoo Finance, granting it significant visibility in the financial media space.
- Google Finance: Both Polymarket and Kalshi data are being integrated into Google Finance's AI tools, providing unprecedented exposure on a major financial platform.
Furthermore, anticipation is building around the launch of POLY, the platform’s native cryptocurrency, which Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Modabber confirmed will be rolled out after the official U.S. relaunch.
November 2025, Cryptoniteuae