Polymarket
- Founded
- 2020-01-01 in New York City, New York, USA
- Headquarters
- New York City, New York, USA
Polymarket is the world’s largest cryptocurrency-based prediction market, where users trade shares on the outcome of real-world events. Founded in 2020 by Shayne Coplan, the platform uses blockchain technology on Polygon and USDC for transparent, peer-to-peer betting. As of 2025, Polymarket has been valued at over $9 billion and expanded into a regulated US offshoot, Polymarket US.
Detailed Review
History & Founding
Polymarket was founded in 2020 by then-21-year-old Shayne Coplan, who dropped out of college to build the platform. Initially a four-person team, it launched publicly in June 2020 and quickly gained traction during the 2020 US presidential election. The company is headquartered in New York City and grew exponentially in 2024, with billions in trading volume driven by high-stakes events like the US election and Supreme Court decisions.
Business Model & How It Works
Users buy shares of a “Yes” or “No” outcome for a given event, with each share trading between $0.01 and $1.00. The price reflects the market’s perceived probability. If the event occurs, each share pays $1.00; otherwise it expires worthless. Traders can buy, sell, or hold until resolution. The platform uses a central order book with automated market makers on Polygon to ensure liquidity. Polymarket generates revenue through transaction fees on trades.
Products & Platforms
Polymarket operates several key products: the flagship international crypto-based prediction market (on Polygon/USDC), Polymarket US (a fiat-based, CFTC-regulated version for US users launched in 2025), institutional-grade APIs and data feeds offered through the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) developer portal, comprehensive developer documentation and SDKs for third-party applications, and brand/media integration where market probabilities are quoted by outlets like The New York Times and Bloomberg.
Market Position & Volume
In 2024 alone, Polymarket processed over $10 billion in total trading volume, driven largely by the US presidential election. Its prediction markets consistently outperformed traditional polling in accuracy, earning it the title “the world’s largest prediction market.” Competitors include Acuity Trading and other prediction market platforms, but Polymarket dominates in terms of volume and brand recognition.
Regulatory Landscape
Polymarket has faced scrutiny from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In 2022, it settled with the CFTC for $1.4 million over offering event-based binary options without registration. To comply with US regulations, it launched Polymarket US, a fiat-based regulated platform that does not use cryptocurrency, while the international version remains crypto-native and peer-to-peer.
Partnerships & Media
Polymarket’s odds are regularly syndicated by major media outlets, and the platform has formed strategic partnerships. In 2025, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) made a strategic investment in Polymarket, and its data feeds are available through the ICE developer portal. The brand has become synonymous with prediction-market data in election coverage and beyond.
Recent Developments & Funding
Polymarket raised $4 million seed in 2021, $45 million Series A in 2022, and an undisclosed $205 million across two rounds reaching a $1.2 billion valuation by 2024. In 2025, ICE’s strategic investment helped push the valuation to $9 billion, and a $400 million round at a $15 billion valuation was reported in mid-2025, though officially unconfirmed. The company’s headcount has grown significantly from 23 in 2023 to an estimated 100-500 employees today.
Key Products
Polymarket (International)
The flagship crypto-based prediction market on Polygon/USDC, allowing users to trade shares on event outcomes peer-to-peer.
Polymarket US
A fiat-based, CFTC-regulated prediction market for US users, launched in 2025, operating outside blockchain rails with traditional payment methods.
Polymarket APIs & Data Feeds
Institutional-grade access to real-time prediction-market data via the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) developer portal, providing probabilities, volumes, and historical data.
Developer Docs & SDK
Comprehensive documentation and APIs (docs.polymarket.com) allowing third parties to build applications on top of Polymarket’s order book and market data.
Brand Sponsorship / “Odds by Polymarket”
Market probabilities frequently quoted by media outlets (e.g., The New York Times, Bloomberg) and integrated into election coverage, making Polymarket synonymous with prediction-market data.
Offices & Headcount
300 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
Shayne CoplanFounder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Recent News
View all company news (18) →
Irish Gambling Authority Warns of High Court Action Against Offshore Prediction Platform
Ireland's gambling regulator is preparing to seek a High Court blocking order against a major offshore prediction market operator that failed to comply with warnings, as European regulators increasingly target such platforms and Gibraltar introduces its own separate regulatory framework.
2026-07-20
GRAI issues High Court threat as one prediction market operator defies Irish geoblocking demands
Ireland's gambling regulator has threatened High Court action against a major prediction market operator that refuses to geoblock users, while most other platforms have complied quickly. The warning comes amid a European crackdown on such platforms, with France banning Polymarket and Ireland also advancing its broader gambling reform agenda, including new licensing, a Social Impact Fund, and advertising restrictions.
2026-07-20
Allwyn's Digital-First Strategy: CEO Spajic Outlines Innovation and Omnichannel Vision
Allwyn Digital CEO Kresimir Spajic discusses the company's digital transformation, including its Q1 2026 revenue growth, expansion into prediction markets via PrizePicks, and focus on AI-driven personalisation and omnichannel experiences, ahead of his appearance at SBC Summit Lisbon.
2026-07-20
France Orders ISPs to Block Polymarket as French Regulator Cites Illegal Gambling and Market Manipulation Fears
France's gambling regulator has ordered ISPs to block Polymarket, citing illegal gambling and market manipulation risks, as a separate legal action against a prediction market operator begins in Ireland. The ANJ reported over 205,000 unique French visitors to the platform in June, and the company faces a criminal investigation into tampered weather sensors.
2026-07-20iPredicta Debuts Centralised Comparison Hub for US Prediction Markets
iPredicta launches a US-focused prediction market comparison platform aggregating live prices from multiple exchanges, featuring AI-driven explanations, liquidity scoring, and price alerts, with founder Charlotte Nimmo citing the rapid growth of the sector from $15.8B to $63.5B in global trading volume over the past year.
2026-07-20
Pascal raises $9M Series A to target institutional prediction market traders
Prediction market startup Pascal has closed a $9 million Series A led by Union Square Ventures, building on a $6 million seed round. The company targets institutional traders with perpetual futures-style event contracts and faces a regulatory landscape under increasing scrutiny.
2026-07-17
Prediction Markets: Operators and Regulators Eye a New Betting Vertical
Prediction markets are gaining mainstream attention thanks to platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, and Gibraltar is leading the regulatory conversation on responsible oversight. Industry experts expect the vertical to coexist with traditional sportsbooks rather than replace them.
2026-07-17
Five Tribes Push for Federal Action Against Prediction Markets, Citing Threats to Tribal Sovereignty
The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes has adopted a resolution urging federal action against online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, arguing they undermine tribal sovereignty and operate as unregulated sports betting. The council warns that these platforms bypass the gaming compacts and regulatory systems that have governed tribal gaming for decades, while Oklahoma residents lose tax revenue and exclusivity payments to offshore operators.
2026-07-17
Arizona Election Chief Bans Internal Betting on Electoral Events as State Opens New Wagering License Window
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes banned internal election wagering by state employees to protect electoral integrity, while the Arizona Department of Gaming opened applications for 10 limited event wagering licenses, potentially opening the door for prediction market operators.
2026-07-16
White House Teleprompter Operator Suspended Over Alleged Insider Trading on Kalshi Prediction Markets
Gabriel Perez, President Trump's longtime teleprompter operator, has been suspended and is under CFTC investigation for allegedly using inside knowledge of Trump's speeches to win over $90,000 on Kalshi's prediction markets. The White House placed him on unpaid leave, and he is cooperating with regulators who are discussing a potential settlement.
2026-07-16
US Lawmaker Pushes Polymarket on Influencer Partnerships and Election Denial Ties
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has demanded Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan provide details on the platform's influencer partnerships, questioning whether the company knew it was paying individuals who promoted election denial claims. The letter requests policy documents and communications by July 28, reflecting growing Capitol Hill scrutiny of prediction markets.
2026-07-16
Czech Republic blocks Polymarket, forces ISPs to restrict access
The Czech Ministry of Finance has designated Polymarket an unauthorised gambling platform, mandating ISP blocking within 15 days. The decision reflects broader European concern over prediction markets, citing risks of manipulation and lack of player safeguards.
2026-07-15