Kalshi, Polymarket and Rothera Hit $47 Billion in June as 2026 World Cup Ignites Trading
Updated
Updated · CoinDesk · Jul 14
Kalshi, Polymarket and Rothera Hit $47 Billion in June as 2026 World Cup Ignites Trading
3 articles · Updated · CoinDesk · Jul 14
Summary
$47 billion in combined June volume across Kalshi, Polymarket and Robinhood-backed Rothera marked a record month as World Cup trading surged and prediction markets grabbed share from traditional sportsbooks.
Kalshi led the jump with $31 billion in notional volume—up more than 70% from May—and said World Cup-specific trading reached $22.42 billion, while Polymarket logged $10.8 billion internationally plus $3.5 billion on its U.S. app.
Rothera processed $2 billion in its first month and already holds 7% of the U.S. prediction market, while DRW and other trading firms are building dedicated desks to arbitrage these contracts like financial derivatives.
Apptopia data showed Kalshi and Polymarket captured 78.5% of installs across six major betting apps through June; Kalshi’s daily active users rose 36% from midmonth even as DraftKings and FanDuel usage fell from tournament peaks.
The World Cup also exposed how prediction markets are broadening the audience: Kalshi’s female user base grew 106%, and Polymarket’s split U.S.-regulated and global platforms still drew $571 million in trading from U.S.-linked wallets on the offshore venue.
As prediction markets outpace sportsbooks, can their favorable regulatory status possibly last?
Are prediction markets creating savvy traders or just a new wave of problem gamblers?
With Wall Street now involved, is the line between betting and investing about to disappear?
$5.8 Billion Bet: How the 2026 World Cup Transformed Prediction Markets and Digital Asset Speculation
Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked a pivotal moment for prediction markets, driving an unprecedented surge in trading activity and showcasing their ability to handle sustained, high-volume engagement. Acting as a major pressure test, the tournament highlighted the growing influence of prediction market platforms in digital asset speculation. With total trading volume across 52 World Cup betting markets reaching $5.81 billion, digital asset traders flocked to these platforms, seeking alternative high-yield opportunities as tournament dynamics shifted. This period demonstrated how major global events can transform prediction markets into mainstream arenas for speculation and investment.