What is Polymarket? (2026 guide)
Polymarket is a prediction-market exchange founded in 2020. It runs on the Polygon blockchain, settles trades in USDC stablecoin, and is by volume the largest prediction market in the world — single-market volume on the 2024 US presidential election exceeded $3.7 billion.
How it works. Users connect a crypto wallet, deposit USDC, and trade contracts on event outcomes. Most markets resolve via UMA's optimistic oracle, which uses a community-validated resolution process with a dispute window.
Who can use it. Polymarket geo-blocks the US (following a 2022 CFTC settlement), the UK, most EU member states, France, Germany, Australia and a growing list of other jurisdictions. It is accessible from India, Brazil and most of Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Fees. Most Polymarket markets have zero trading fees. Some newer market types charge small fees on liquidity provision.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polymarket safe?
Polymarket has been operational since 2020, has processed billions of dollars in volume without a major hack, and uses audited smart contracts. Like any crypto product, users bear smart-contract risk and the volatility of the underlying USDC peg.
Is Polymarket legal?
Legality depends on jurisdiction. Polymarket settled with the US CFTC in 2022 and geo-blocks several countries. See our country-by-country legal guide.