26 November 2025 – New York: Prediction market platform Polymarket has received approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to offer event contracts through brokerage firms, marking a major return to the U.S. market.

The approval allows Polymarket to onboard brokerages and customers directly, enabling trading on regulated U.S. venues. CEO Shayne Coplan called the move “a key milestone for permeating the U.S. financial system.” Event contracts, also known as binary options, are structured around yes/no questions, such as “Will the Fed cut rates again this year?”

Polymarket had been barred from U.S. operations since 2022 after offering event contracts without CFTC authorization. Its rival Kalshi, licensed by the CFTC since 2021, brought prediction markets into mainstream awareness with 2024 U.S. election contracts and has partnered with Robinhood to offer its products to retail investors. Polymarket’s new approval opens the door for similar partnerships.

The platform is still awaiting additional approvals to allow American users to buy contracts directly, but analysts expect the recent CFTC decision to accelerate that timeline.

The rise of prediction markets has also put pressure on the traditional gambling industry. Platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi have expanded into sports-related contracts, prompting sports betting giants DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment (FanDuel) to explore their own prediction market offerings. Regulatory clarity remains uncertain, with the CFTC maintaining a largely hands-off approach to sports contracts, leaving providers to self-certify that they prevent market manipulation.

This CFTC approval adds to a string of institutional endorsements for Polymarket. In October, the New York Stock Exchange’s parent company invested $2 billion in the platform. Subsequently, Polymarket was named an official prediction market partner of the National Hockey League and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.