Polymarket Wins CFTC Approval for US Markets After $112 Million Exchange Purchase
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Polymarket Wins CFTC Approval for US Markets After $112 Million Exchange Purchase
5 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Polymarket can again serve U.S. users after gaining CFTC approval, reopening access to political contracts, 10 weather markets and a broad slate of sports trading.
The approval followed its July 2025 purchase of a federally licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, a deal that gave the crypto-based platform a regulated path back into the U.S.
The return marks a sharp reversal from 2022, when the CFTC effectively barred Polymarket from U.S. customers and the company shifted operations to Panama.
Polymarket and rival Kalshi processed $25 billion of trading volume in April, up tenfold from a year earlier, underscoring how quickly prediction markets have moved into the mainstream.
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Polymarket’s $20B Monthly Boom: How CFTC Approval and ICE’s $600M Bet Are Transforming US Prediction Markets
Overview
On November 25, 2025, Polymarket achieved a major milestone by officially re-entering the U.S. market after receiving an amended Order of Designation from the CFTC. This approval granted Polymarket full status as a regulated Designated Contract Market, allowing American traders to legally access its event-based markets through regulated brokers and futures commission merchants. Now operating under the same strict rules as traditional futures exchanges like CME and ICE, Polymarket ensures higher compliance and oversight. This regulatory breakthrough marks a new era for prediction markets, making them more accessible and trustworthy for U.S. users.