Polymarket

Polymarket is one of the best-known and most heavily discussed prediction platforms in the world. The site, which operates on blockchain technology, combines elements of the stock exchange and sports betting to deliver a unique predictions-based experience.

In this Polymarket review, we break down exactly how the site works, what prediction markets it has available, and more.

What Is Polymarket?

Polymarket is an online prediction market trading platform based on the blockchain. It operates like a financial exchange, allowing customers to buy and sell ‘contracts’ based on the outcome of events. It covers a wide array of topics, including politics and sports.

The company was founded in 2020 and has been a contentious issue in America since. While many view the site as a legitimate indication of public interest and, in the case of US politics, voting potential, critics have argued it is open to manipulation and promotes irresponsible gambling behaviour.

Is Polymarket Legit and Secure?

Polymarket is a legitimate website, but its legal status can be a little confusing depending on where you are based.

The site was banned in the US in 2022, but this changed in late 2025, when it completed the acquisition of QCEX, a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)- licensed exchange platform.

The CTFC granted the site a fully regulated Designated Contract Market, allowing US users to access the platform through regulated intermediaries.

It is important to note that Polymarket is not a betting platform and, as such, is not regulated like one in the US. However, its status in other countries can be a little confusing, with some regulators opting to view it as a gambling platform and not granting it a license.

While this can be very confusing, the short answer is yes, the site is legitimate and secure, it has just encountered several regulatory roadblocks and may not be accessible in every country.

How to Sign Up and Get Started

Getting signed up and using Polymarket is a very simple process. As a crypto-platform, you do not need to enter all of your details or verify your identity in the way you would with other prediction sites.

You are given three options. You can sign up using your email address, where you will be sent a verification code, continue with Google, which is simply a case of allowing the site access, or you can connect to an existing crypto-wallet.

Once you have done this, you can fund your account using USDC, which operates as the site’s stablecoin.

Available Markets and Event Types

Polymarket's prediction markets are largely focused on the US, with politics being front and centre on the site. Users can predict the outcome of major events like elections, as well as smaller events such as which bills will pass, whether tariffs will be applied, or Presidential approval ratings.

There is also a huge number of financial markets to predict. This also extends to geopolitics, with international events and relations being covered.

These are focused on earnings and whether a company’s share price is likely to go up or down, or reach a certain price. Likewise, crypto prices can also be exchanged on.

When it comes to sports, the US sports take centre stage, with the NFL, NBA, and NHL getting the bulk of focus. Once again, you can predict big outcomes, such as the result, or smaller markets like a player’s individual performance.

There are also other markets, including culture, which covers things like film, TV, and even social media, climate, science, and world events.

In short, if there is an event happening, it is almost a certainty that Polymarket will offer some sort of coverage for it.

Fees and Payouts: What Does It Cost?

As we have mentioned earlier in this Polymarket review, the site operates as a crypto-only platform. As such, there are no fees attached to buying contracts and making predictions.

The only fees you will find at Polymarket are associated with network gas fees for using the blockchain. These are extremely minimal and, in many cases, are not even noticeable on your crypto balance.

User Experience: Platform, App, and Interface

Polymarket brings all of the US mod-cons you would expect to find on a traditional trading platform. Switching between the site’s different prediction markets is a seamless experience, and the sign-up process, as we have detailed earlier in this Polymarket review, is very easy to follow.

One aspect we really liked about the site is that there is plenty of useful information for new users. You can find handy guides and an FAQ section that provides insight and explains the processes of using the site.

The Polymarket app can be downloaded on iOS and Android and is extremely user-friendly. The site is free to download and can be instantly accessed using your crypto-wallet or email address. The Polymarket mobile site is also simple to use if you do not want to, or can not, download the app.

Customer Support

The best way to reach Polymarket customer support is through the site’s live-chat features. The support team are available 24/7 and can be accessed by clicking the blue live-chat button in the bottom corner.

The site also has a Discord server set up, with users able to contact the team by navigating to the support sidebar and clicking the #open-a-ticket option. This puts you in direct contact with the customer support team.

Deposits, Withdrawals, and Payment Methods

To make a deposit, users must connect a crypto wallet, such as MetaMask. From there, they can use USDC on the Polygon network. It is also possible to use MoonPay to purchase USDC using Visa/Mastercard and place them in a wallet.

There are no minimum staking amounts. Funds are returned directly to the user’s crypto wallet. The lack of fiat options will discourage many people, but the site does make using crypto a very smooth process, and the use of USDC removes the volatility issues people often encounter with cryptocurrencies.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Use Polymarket?

Polymarket, much like Kalshi, has not been far from the headlines in recent years, with prediction markets becoming a mainstay in the US.

The service’s biggest stumbling block is its accessibility, with its recently-changed legal status meaning that it has not always been accessible across the US, and it will still remain tough to access in some markets.

From a predictions perspective, though, the site is extremely attractive. The selection of financial, political, and sporting prediction markets is fantastic, and the live-exchange provides some fascinating insights and creates plenty of opportunities for those who are on the hunt for some good value.

Of course, you should not forget that it is not a betting site, and, as such, it does not have the same markets you would find on one. Likewise, it does not offer special features or bonuses.

Polymarket is also a crypto platform, which could be seen as a deterrent to fiat users. However, the site does a brilliant job of making this feel accessible, and using USDC keeps things simple for most users.