Polymarket Review 2026
The largest prediction market platform by volume, built on Polygon
Polymarket Overview
The world's largest prediction market by trading volume
Polymarket is the world's largest prediction market platform by trading volume. Built on the Polygon blockchain and settled in USDC, it offers deep liquidity across hundreds of markets covering politics, sports, crypto, economics, and culture. The platform gained mainstream recognition during the 2024 US presidential election, where its markets were cited by major news outlets as more accurate than traditional polling.
What sets Polymarket apart is its non-custodial design and permissionless access. No KYC required for most markets, minimal trading fees (~2% on winnings), and sub-cent Polygon gas fees make it the most accessible prediction market for international users. However, it geo-restricts US residents following a 2022 CFTC settlement.
How to Get Started
Connect Wallet
Connect a crypto wallet (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or WalletConnect) to Polymarket. No account creation or KYC required for most markets.
Deposit USDC
Deposit USDC on the Polygon network. You can also buy USDC directly with a card through MoonPay. Minimum deposit is just $1.
Trade Events
Browse markets, buy "Yes" or "No" shares at current prices, and trade based on your predictions. Winning shares pay $1.00 each.
Key Strengths
What makes Polymarket the leading prediction market platform
Largest Volume
$500M+ monthly trading volume. Deepest liquidity across all prediction markets globally.
500+ Markets
Politics, sports, crypto, economics, and culture. New markets added daily based on current events.
No KYC
Trade without identity verification on most markets. Permissionless access for international users.
Low Fees
~2% on winnings only. Polygon gas fees under $0.01 per transaction. No deposit or withdrawal fees.
Non-Custodial
Your USDC stays in your wallet until you trade. Smart contracts audited, no platform custody risk.
Real-Time Data
Live probability charts, order books, and market depth. API access for automated trading.
Fees & Costs
Winner-pays fee structure with minimal network costs
Safety & Regulation
Decentralized platform with non-custodial smart contracts
CFTC Settlement (2022)
United StatesDecentralized
InternationalNon-Custodial
USDC stays in your wallet until trade execution
Audited Contracts
Smart contracts audited by independent security firms
UMA Oracle
Decentralized resolution system with dispute mechanism
Polygon Network
Ethereum Layer 2 with proven security track record
Polymarket Pros & Cons
Balanced evaluation based on our hands-on testing
- Pro: Highest trading volume and deepest liquidity
- Pro: Wide range of markets across politics, sports, crypto, and culture
- Pro: No KYC required for most markets
- Pro: Low minimum deposit ($1 USDC)
- Pro: Intuitive trading interface
- Pro: Real-time market data and charts
- Con: Not available to US residents (geo-restricted)
- Con: Unregulated — no CFTC or SEC oversight
- Con: Requires crypto wallet and USDC to deposit
- Con: No mobile app (web-based only)
- Con: Market resolution disputes can occur
Polymarket FAQ
Is Polymarket legal?
Polymarket operates as a decentralized prediction market on the Polygon blockchain. It is not available to US residents due to regulatory restrictions. The platform settled with the CFTC in 2022 and geo-restricts US users. International users can trade freely without KYC for most markets.
How do I deposit money on Polymarket?
You can deposit USDC directly from a crypto wallet on the Polygon network. Polymarket also supports card deposits through MoonPay, which converts fiat to USDC. The minimum deposit is $1.
What are the fees on Polymarket?
Polymarket charges approximately 2% on net winnings. There are no fees on losing trades. Polygon network gas fees are minimal (typically under $0.01 per transaction). There are no deposit or withdrawal fees beyond standard network costs.
How does Polymarket resolve markets?
Markets are resolved using UMA's optimistic oracle system. When an event occurs, a resolution is proposed and goes through a challenge period. If no one disputes the resolution, it is finalized and winning shares pay out $1.00 each. Disputed resolutions go to UMA token holders for a vote.
Can US residents use Polymarket?
No. Following a 2022 settlement with the CFTC, Polymarket geo-blocks US IP addresses. Using a VPN to access the platform from the US would violate the terms of service. US residents should consider Kalshi, which is CFTC-regulated and legally available in the United States. See our Polymarket vs Kalshi comparison for details.
Is Polymarket safe to use?
Polymarket uses smart contracts on the Polygon blockchain, which have been audited. Funds are held in non-custodial wallets — Polymarket does not hold your assets. However, as an unregulated platform, there is no FDIC insurance or regulatory protection. Only trade with funds you can afford to lose.
Polymarket Verdict
Best For
Not Ideal For
Polymarket is the clear leader in prediction market volume and liquidity. If you are an international user comfortable with crypto wallets and USDC, it offers the deepest markets and tightest spreads available. The lack of regulation is a trade-off — you get permissionless access but without the safety net of regulatory oversight. For US residents, Kalshi is the legal alternative.
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