Polymarket is a prediction market app where participants trade event contracts in a “Yes” or “No” format. The brand is currently regulated at federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), but continues to face legislative challenges in a number of US states. This has left many wondering precisely where Polymarket is available stateside.
After acquiring QCX LLC and QC Clearing licenses, Polymarket is broadly available in 49 US states. At the time of writing, Nevada is the only state to successfully initiate a complete block, although a growing number of jurisdictions are looking to impose restrictions in certain markets. We’ll explore the landscape in more detail below.
Polymarket operates a peer-to-peer market where you predict the outcomes of future events. Unlike mainstream sportsbooks, where bettors stake against the house and their odds, you buy and sell shares as event contracts. This pattern applies to markets related to politics, sports, and other categories. As a result, you won’t find Polymarket election betting as an option on the site. But you can trade contracts related to future election results.
We discovered that predictions weren’t linked to scores or numbers, but to a Yes/No format. Another thing we observed was the set price range of $0.01 to $0.99 per contract. Therefore, if you chose to buy an event contract, it would never go below $0.01 nor exceed $0.99.
The USD Coin (USDC) is the approved trading currency on Polymarket since it’s a stablecoin. That said, you can deposit and withdraw in other cryptocurrencies.
As we’ve touched on, Polymarket is regulated at federal level and broadly available in 49 US states. This followed the acquisition of QCX LLC and QC Clearing licenses in mid-2025, which created a US arm of the platform separate from the international site.
Prior to this, Polymarket was sanctioned by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and ordered to pay $1.4 million for operating unregistered binary options. As of 2022, the company didn’t have a registered Designated Contract Market (DCM) under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA).
While Polymarket is accessible in 49 states and only fully blocked in Nevada, the site continues to face legal challenges from individual states. These authorities challenge Polymarket’s CFTC regulation and want the right to restrict access to certain markets and event contracts, especially those pertaining to sports.
On Polymarket, the contract price isn’t set by the service provider. How much a share costs depends on market activity and the number of traders who are in favor of or opposed to the outcome. In other words, as the tide shifts between Yes and No, the app’s algorithm modifies the price of shares in response to demand and supply.
For example, a NBA event contract worth $0.60 means there’s an implied 60% likelihood for a team to win. If the price increases to $0.75, it suggests even more participants – 75% – believe the prediction will be correct. In other words, the price of the contracts can be read similar to odds on a regular sportsbook. Though again it should be noted that traditional sports betting is not available on Polymarket.
Note that payout from each contract is fixed at $1. Therefore, if you decide to hold the $0.60 contract, you’d make $0.40 when the market settles. Should doubts arise, instead of holding, you can sell the $0.60 contract at the new price of $0.75 and make an early $0.15 gain before settlement, minus any fees of course.
Our review shows that Polymarket doesn’t charge trading commissions on shares bought. However, you’ll have to pay gas fees for using USDC. Here’s an overview that sums up all the features on the Polymarket app discussed so far.
| Category | Key terms | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Trading principles | Yes/No contracts | Each contract is fixed at a range of $0.01-$0.99. |
| Blockchain system | Polygon | Polygon transactions are faster and cost less. |
| Currency | USDC | A designated stablecoin minimizes volatility. |
| Regulations | CFTC oversight | Allows Polymarket to list market events nationwide, approved at the federal level |
Registering and using the Polymarket app isn’t difficult. We’ve explained the process below:
You’ll need to download the Polymarket app on your device, and you can click the banners on this page for that. Then, register with your Google account or email address if you’re in one of the Polymarket available states. I’d also recommend that you check for any states where sports markets are currently restricted, such as MA, MI, and WA.
After registration, you need to connect a crypto wallet. You can use Coinbase, MetaMask, or other WalletConnect options.
The trading cryptocurrency on the Polymarket app is USDC. However, you can deposit other cryptocurrencies, and the app will automatically convert them to USDC.
Here’s how to add funds to your wallet:
Tap Deposit, and choose a cryptocurrency and the corresponding chain
Double-check that the token and chain are compatible
Use Moonpay to access Mastercard and Visa as alternative funding options
Check your Polymarket app notification to confirm the deposit
The market page is where you’ll see event contracts on sports, politics, and other categories. Once you’ve done your research, move on to buying contracts that reflect your predictions. Note that you can buy multiple event contracts at once. For instance, if a contract is priced at $0.5, you can buy 1,000 for $500.
Polymarket fees are based on the site’s category-based taker structure, which was rolled out on July 1st, 2026. Variable fees are now applied to all orders that draw liquidity from the book, based on the specific category. Market makers will continue to pay 0% fees across all categories and markets. Sports trades charge the highest taker fee percentage (0.07%).
If you haven’t used it before, we’ve compiled five helpful tips for using the Polymarket app below:
There are no guaranteed markets, so take caution when buying contracts and use only budgeted funds.
Always ensure you’re trading from an informed position. Choosing which contracts to buy shouldn’t rely solely on guesses but also on quality research.
Watch out for price trends. Contracts you already bought can still be sold before settlement to minimize losses.
Make sure to claim up to $20 using our exclusive code SPIN to claim your Polymarket welcome bonus.
It’s ideal to buy event contracts across different markets. That way, you spread your options and still gain if other trades don’t work out.
The transaction and fees vary for each category, so do your due diligence. Read up from official sources and be aware of market resolution rules.
While reviewing the app, we noticed some clear advantages and potential drawbacks. We’ve outlined these briefly below:
In summary, Polymarket has been widely available in the US since the company acquired QC and QCX licenses to operate and comply with the CFTC. You can currently sign up and buy and sell selected contracts on the app in 49 US states, with Nevada operating a complete block.
Each contract ranges from $0.01 to $0.99, and prices can fluctuate based on market demand. A correct prediction settles at $1, while wrong predictions automatically expire as $0 after settlement. Variable taker fee applies to each category, but market makers will pay 0% fees.
It’s still worth noting that regulations within US states vary, and some jurisdictions have actively restricted sports trading. If you’re wondering precisely where Polymarket is available, click the banners on this page to visit the site and confirm if your location is supported.
As we’ve touched on, Polymarket is completely banned in the state of Nevada. A preliminary court injunction has prohibited sports, election, and entertainment contracts and enforced geo-blocking state-wide.
Outside of Nevada, Polymarket is currently prohibited from offering sports contracts in Michigan, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Washington, and Arizona. However, these restrictions are subject to temporary court orders that are being challenged. Active legislation is also pending by authorities in Illinois, Connecticut, Ohio, and Missouri.
Polymarket and their prediction market rivals are regulated at federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Polymarket acquired QCX LLC and QC Clearing licenses to operate in the US, too. Most state legal challenges are focused on challenging federal regulation and earning the right to impose local laws.
To trade on Polymarket in a state where the brand is available, you’ll need to use the official, CFTC-regulated Polymarket US app on iOS or Android. You’re prohibited from using the international site, which offers a broader range of financial products and allows cryptocurrency transactions.
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