Polymarket review
Polymarket is one of the best-known prediction market brands, and Americans can now use it legally through Polymarket US, a CFTC-regulated, dollar-funded app. Taker fees match Kalshi's almost exactly and makers earn rebates, but it has fewer funding options and faces its own state fights.
Pros
- Polymarket US is a CFTC-designated contract market (QCX LLC), funded in US dollars
- Taker fee of 0.0695 × contracts × price × (1 − price), about $1.74 on 100 contracts at 50¢; makers aren't charged and can earn rebates
- Broad catalogue beyond sports: politics, crypto, economics, weather, tech and culture
- Backed by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), owner of the New York Stock Exchange
Cons
- Unavailable in Nevada under a May 2026 court injunction; New York and Rhode Island are suing it
- Card and bank deposits take 3–4 business days to clear before you can withdraw them
- Withdrawals must return to the original funding source, first in, first out
- The international polymarket.com site is a separate product and isn't open to US residents
Our verdict
Polymarket is one of the best-known names in prediction markets, and US traders can now use it legally through Polymarket US, a separate app run by QCX LLC, a CFTC-designated contract market since July 2025. It’s funded in dollars, its taker fee is almost identical to Kalshi’s, and makers aren’t charged. We rank it second, behind Kalshi, because it has fewer funding options, slower withdrawals and a growing list of state challenges.
Polymarket US at a glance
| Polymarket US, as of October 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Regulator | CFTC: QCX LLC designated contract market (July 9, 2025), clearing via QC Clearing LLC |
| Funding | Debit card, bank (ACH), Apple Pay (iPhone), PayPal, Venmo, wire ($5,000 minimum); USDC on iPhone where available |
| Taker fee | 0.0695 × contracts × price × (1 − price); about $1.74 on 100 contracts at 50¢ |
| Maker fee | None; makers receive rebates |
| Withdrawals | Free; back to the original funding source; card and ACH 3–4 business days |
| Unavailable | Nevada (court injunction, May 29, 2026) |
| Backing | ICE agreed to invest up to $2 billion (October 2025) |
Who it’s best for
Traders who follow politics, crypto, economics and world events, and active traders who post limit orders and want maker rebates. If you mainly want sports and fast cash-outs, Kalshi is the stronger choice.
Funding and withdrawals
You deposit dollars by debit card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo or wire. Card and bank deposits take 3–4 business days to clear. You may get buying power immediately, but you can’t withdraw until the deposit clears. Withdrawals are free and must go back to your original funding source, first in, first out. Step by step: how to fund Polymarket and how to use the Polymarket app.
The legal picture
Polymarket US says it’s available in every state except Nevada, where a court enjoined it on May 29, 2026. New York sued it in September 2026, Rhode Island’s Attorney General sued it alongside Kalshi in May 2026, and several states have sent cease-and-desist letters. See is Polymarket legal? for every state.
Polymarket vs the alternatives
Compare fees, funding and payouts in Kalshi vs Polymarket, or see Polymarket alternatives. Referral details are in our Polymarket referral code guide.
Score reflects our methodology, weighted for US traders. Not financial or betting advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polymarket legal in the US?
Yes, through Polymarket US, a separate app run by QCX LLC, a CFTC-designated contract market. Its App Store listing says trading is unavailable in Nevada, where a court enjoined it in May 2026. New York and Rhode Island have sued it, and several other states have sent cease-and-desist letters.
Do you need crypto for Polymarket?
Not on Polymarket US. You fund it in dollars by debit card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo or wire; USDC is optional on iPhone where available. The crypto-funded international site, polymarket.com, is restricted for US residents.
What are Polymarket's fees?
Polymarket US charges takers 0.0695 × contracts × price × (1 − price), about $1.74 on 100 contracts at 50¢. Makers aren't charged and receive rebates. Its docs list no deposit fee, and withdrawals are free.
Is Polymarket better than Kalshi?
For most US traders we rank Kalshi slightly higher, for its longer regulatory record, more funding methods and faster withdrawals. Polymarket US is a close second, with near-identical taker fees, maker rebates and a strong non-sports catalogue.
Sources
- CFTC — Polymarket US Amended Order of Designation (QCX LLC)
- Polymarket US Docs — What is Polymarket US?
- Polymarket US Docs — Fees
- Polymarket US Docs — Fund your account
- Polymarket US Docs — Withdrawal rules (same method, FIFO)
- Polymarket Help Center — Website vs app
- Apple App Store — Polymarket (US)
- ICE — Strategic investment in Polymarket (October 7, 2025)
- ICE — New $600 million investment in Polymarket (March 27, 2026)
- New York Attorney General — lawsuit against Polymarket US (September 2026)
- Nevada Gaming Control Board — actions against prediction markets
Last checked:
18+ (21+ where required). Prediction markets involve risk of loss — only trade what you can afford to lose. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (National Problem Gambling Helpline, 24/7).