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How to Use Polymarket in the US: Legal Status, Alternatives & Access Guide (2026)
Updated March 2026 — A comprehensive guide to Polymarket's US ban, the CFTC settlement, VPN risks, and the best legal prediction market alternatives for American users.
Key Takeaway: Polymarket Is Blocked for US Users
You cannot legally use Polymarket from the United States. Polymarket has been geoblocked for US users since its 2022 CFTC consent order. Here is what you need to know:
- CFTC settlement (2022) — Polymarket paid $1.4 million and agreed to block US users after operating as an unregistered derivatives exchange
- Geoblocking active — US IP addresses are blocked from trading; KYC checks flag US residents
- VPN workaround is risky — Violates Polymarket ToS, risk of account seizure and fund loss
- Legal alternatives exist — Kalshi (CFTC-regulated), Robinhood Event Contracts, and PredictIt are legal for US users
Below, we explain exactly what happened, why Polymarket is blocked, the real risks of trying to access it, and how to legally trade prediction markets in the US.
Table of Contents
- Can You Use Polymarket in the US?
- What Happened: The CFTC Settlement Explained
- Why Polymarket Is Blocked for US Users
- VPN Access: Risks and Why We Do Not Recommend It
- Legal US Alternatives to Polymarket
- Kalshi: The Best Legal Alternative for US Users
- How to Sign Up for Kalshi (Step-by-Step)
- Polymarket vs Kalshi vs Robinhood: Full Comparison
- How to Follow Polymarket Odds Without Trading
- Will Polymarket Ever Be Legal in the US?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Polymarket in the US?
No. You cannot legally use Polymarket in the United States. Polymarket has actively blocked US users since January 2022, when the platform settled with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for operating an unregistered derivatives exchange that was accessible to Americans.
If you are searching for how to use Polymarket in the US, the honest answer is: you should not. Polymarket's terms of service explicitly prohibit US residents from trading on the platform. The geoblocking is not a bug or a temporary restriction — it is a legal requirement imposed by a federal regulatory settlement.
That said, this does not mean you are out of options. There are fully legal, regulated platforms that offer very similar prediction markets to US users. The most prominent is Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated Designated Contract Market that offers hundreds of event markets on elections, economics, weather, and more — all completely legal in every US state.
Polymarket = blocked, risky, and against the rules for Americans. Kalshi = legal, CFTC-regulated, and available in all 50 states with similar markets. If you want to trade prediction markets in the US, Kalshi is the straightforward legal path. Robinhood also offers event contracts through its brokerage app.
What Happened: The CFTC Settlement Explained
To understand why Polymarket is blocked for US users, you need to understand the CFTC enforcement action that led to the ban. Here is a detailed timeline of what happened.
Timeline of the Polymarket CFTC Case
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Polymarket launches as a crypto-based prediction market on the Polygon blockchain | Operates without CFTC registration; accessible to US users |
| 2020-2021 | Polymarket gains significant traction, especially during the 2020 US presidential election | Attracts CFTC attention due to growing US user base and unregistered status |
| 2021 | CFTC launches investigation into Polymarket | The CFTC examines whether Polymarket's binary options markets constitute unregistered swaps or derivatives |
| Jan 2022 | Polymarket settles with the CFTC; pays $1.4 million civil penalty | Consent order requires Polymarket to cease offering unregistered derivatives to US users |
| 2022-present | Polymarket implements geoblocking and KYC for US users | US IP addresses blocked from trading; continued operation for non-US users |
| 2024 | Polymarket hits record volumes during the 2024 US presidential election cycle | Despite US ban, Polymarket becomes globally prominent; non-US user base expands dramatically |
| 2025-2026 | Polymarket continues operating for non-US users; no indication of seeking US re-entry | US users remain blocked; legal alternatives continue to grow |
The CFTC Consent Order: Key Terms
The January 2022 CFTC consent order against Polymarket (formally, Blockratize, Inc.) included several important requirements:
- $1.4 million civil monetary penalty — Polymarket paid this fine for operating unregistered event contract markets accessible to US persons
- Cease and desist — Polymarket agreed to stop offering or facilitating the trading of event contracts that fall under CFTC jurisdiction to US users
- Remediation — Polymarket was required to implement measures to prevent US persons from accessing its markets, including geoblocking and enhanced compliance procedures
- No admission of wrongdoing — As is standard in CFTC settlements, Polymarket neither admitted nor denied the CFTC's findings
The CFTC determined that Polymarket's binary option markets were swaps under the Commodity Exchange Act and that Polymarket was operating as an unregistered facility for the trading of swaps. By making these markets accessible to US persons without proper registration, Polymarket violated federal derivatives law. This is the same regulatory framework that Kalshi complied with by obtaining its DCM designation in 2020.
The key takeaway: Polymarket was not shut down entirely. It was ordered to stop serving US users specifically. For people outside the United States, Polymarket continues to operate. For Americans, it is off-limits. See our Polymarket App guide for more on how the platform works for international users.
Why Polymarket Is Blocked for US Users
Polymarket's US block comes down to one fundamental issue: regulatory classification. In the United States, binary option markets where you can buy "Yes" or "No" contracts on real-world events are classified as derivatives and fall under CFTC jurisdiction.
The Regulatory Gap
To legally offer these markets to US users, a platform must either:
- Register as a Designated Contract Market (DCM) with the CFTC — This is what Kalshi did, going through the full regulatory approval process
- Obtain a CFTC no-action letter — This is what PredictIt did, though with significant limitations on market size and scope
- Block US users entirely — This is what Polymarket chose to do after the CFTC settlement
Polymarket chose option 3. Rather than pursuing the expensive and time-consuming DCM registration process, Polymarket decided to continue operating for international users while blocking Americans. This was likely a business decision — operating offshore with a global user base while avoiding the regulatory costs and constraints that come with CFTC compliance.
How Polymarket Enforces the US Block
Polymarket uses multiple methods to prevent US access:
- IP-based geoblocking — US IP addresses are detected and blocked from accessing trading functionality
- Terms of service — Polymarket's ToS explicitly prohibit US residents, US citizens, and anyone physically located in the US from trading
- KYC verification — For larger withdrawals and certain features, Polymarket requires identity verification that flags US documents
- Ongoing monitoring — Polymarket has reportedly taken action against accounts suspected of being US-based, including freezing funds
For a broader look at Polymarket's legal situation, see our dedicated Is Polymarket Legal? guide.
VPN Access: Risks and Why We Do Not Recommend It
One of the most common follow-up questions from US users is: "Can I use a VPN to access Polymarket?" Technically, a VPN can mask your IP address and make it appear as though you are accessing the internet from another country. However, we strongly recommend against this approach for several important reasons.
VPN Risks: Why You Should Not Do This
- Terms of service violation — Using a VPN to circumvent geoblocking explicitly violates Polymarket's terms of service. Your account can be terminated at any time.
- Fund seizure — Polymarket can freeze and seize funds from accounts found to be operated by US persons. Reports from users on Reddit and crypto forums describe having their balances locked with no recourse.
- No legal recourse — If Polymarket freezes your account, you have essentially no legal standing to recover your funds. You were violating the ToS, and Polymarket has no obligation to US users.
- Potential legal exposure — While no individual US user has been publicly prosecuted for using Polymarket via VPN, deliberately circumventing a CFTC-mandated block to trade unregistered derivatives exists in a legal grey area. The risk is real, even if enforcement has been minimal.
- KYC trap — Polymarket may require identity verification for withdrawals above certain thresholds. If you need to provide ID to cash out, your US identity will be flagged and your funds may be frozen.
- Smart contract and crypto risk — Even if you access Polymarket via VPN, you are still exposed to USDC and blockchain risks without any US regulatory protections.
A US user creates a Polymarket account using a VPN, deposits $5,000 in USDC, and trades successfully for months. When they try to withdraw $8,000 in winnings, Polymarket requires enhanced KYC. The user submits a US passport. Polymarket freezes the account and the $8,000 is inaccessible. There is no customer support number to call, no CFTC complaint process, and no legal framework to recover the funds. This scenario is not hypothetical — variations of it have been reported in crypto forums.
The bottom line on VPNs: Even if it is technically possible, using a VPN to access Polymarket from the US is a bad idea. You are taking on significant financial risk for no good reason when fully legal alternatives exist that offer similar markets with actual regulatory protections.
Legal US Alternatives to Polymarket
The good news for US prediction market enthusiasts: you do not need Polymarket. Several fully legal, regulated platforms offer similar event contract markets that are available to Americans. Here are the top three alternatives.
1. Kalshi — The Best Overall Alternative
Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated Designated Contract Market (DCM) and the closest legal equivalent to Polymarket for US users. It offers hundreds of event markets covering elections, economics, weather, technology, geopolitics, and more.
- CFTC-regulated — Full federal regulatory approval since 2020
- Legal in all 50 states — Federal preemption of state gambling laws
- USD-based — No cryptocurrency required; fund via bank transfer or debit card
- Segregated funds — Customer money held at FDIC-insured banks, separate from company funds
- Tax reporting — Automatic 1099 forms issued; no self-reporting headaches
- Mobile app — Full-featured iOS and Android app available
- Market selection: Hundreds of active markets including elections, Fed decisions, inflation, GDP, weather events, and more
Kalshi is the platform we recommend most frequently to US users who want a Polymarket-like experience with proper legal protections. See our full Polymarket vs Kalshi comparison for a detailed breakdown.
2. Robinhood Event Contracts
Robinhood launched event contracts within its existing brokerage app, making prediction market trading accessible to its tens of millions of existing users.
- SEC/FINRA regulated — Operates through existing brokerage registration and CFTC-regulated partner DCMs
- Built into Robinhood app — No separate account needed if you already use Robinhood
- SIPC protection — Securities Investor Protection Corporation coverage on your brokerage account
- Limited market selection: Fewer markets than Kalshi or Polymarket; focused on high-profile events
- Familiar interface: If you already trade stocks on Robinhood, the experience is seamless
Robinhood is a good choice if you already have a Robinhood account and want to dip your toes into prediction markets without signing up for a new platform.
3. PredictIt
PredictIt operates under a CFTC no-action letter, which means the CFTC has agreed not to take enforcement action against it under certain conditions.
- CFTC no-action letter — Not full DCM registration, but regulatory acknowledgment
- Academic origin — Originally affiliated with Victoria University of Wellington for research purposes
- Limitations: $850 maximum per contract, limited market selection, higher fees than Kalshi
- Uncertain future: The CFTC's no-action letter has been subject to review and potential revocation
PredictIt is a viable option but offers a significantly more limited experience than Kalshi. For most US users, Kalshi is the better choice. See our Polymarket Alternatives guide for a comprehensive comparison of all options.
Trade Prediction Markets Legally in the US
Kalshi is CFTC-regulated, legal in all 50 states, and offers hundreds of event markets. No VPN needed.
Sign Up for Kalshi → Compare All AlternativesKalshi: The Best Legal Alternative for US Users
Since Kalshi is the most direct legal replacement for Polymarket in the US, it deserves a closer look. Here is why Kalshi has become the go-to platform for Americans who want to trade prediction markets.
Why Kalshi Is the Closest Thing to Polymarket in the US
| Feature | Polymarket | Kalshi |
|---|---|---|
| Market types | Elections, crypto, geopolitics, culture, sports | Elections, economics, weather, geopolitics, tech, culture |
| Market depth | Hundreds of active markets | Hundreds of active markets |
| Binary contracts | Yes/No outcomes | Yes/No outcomes |
| Real-time pricing | Yes, order book | Yes, order book |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes (iOS and Android) |
| Currency | USDC (crypto) | USD (bank transfer, debit card) |
| US legal status | Blocked / Illegal for US users | Legal in all 50 states |
| Regulation | None (US) | CFTC Designated Contract Market |
| Fund protection | Self-custody (crypto wallet) | Segregated accounts + FDIC-insured banks |
| Tax reporting | Self-reported | Automatic 1099 forms |
The core trading experience is remarkably similar: you browse markets, buy Yes or No contracts based on your view of the outcome, and receive a payout if your position is correct. The key differences are in currency (USD vs USDC), regulation (CFTC-regulated vs unregulated), and legal access (all 50 states vs US-blocked).
What Kalshi Offers That Polymarket Does Not
- Legal certainty — No risk of account seizure, no ToS violations, no grey areas
- USD deposits and withdrawals — Fund your account directly from a bank; no need to buy USDC or manage a crypto wallet
- Automatic tax reporting — Kalshi issues 1099 forms so you do not have to manually calculate and report crypto-based trading gains
- CFTC dispute resolution — If something goes wrong, you have a regulatory backstop
- No smart contract risk — Your funds are held in traditional banking infrastructure, not on a blockchain
What Polymarket Offers That Kalshi Does Not
In fairness, Polymarket does have some advantages — though none that are accessible to US users legally:
- No KYC for basic trading — Polymarket allows trading with just a crypto wallet (but this is also a regulatory risk)
- Crypto-native experience — If you prefer self-custody and on-chain settlement, Polymarket is built for that
- Some unique market categories — Polymarket occasionally lists markets that Kalshi does not (and vice versa)
- Higher liquidity on certain global markets — Polymarket's global user base can provide deeper liquidity on high-profile events
For most US users, Kalshi's advantages (legality, USD, regulation, tax reporting) far outweigh Polymarket's crypto-native features. Learn more in our Polymarket vs Kalshi head-to-head guide.
How to Sign Up for Kalshi (Step-by-Step)
If you have decided to use Kalshi as your legal Polymarket alternative, here is exactly how to get started. The entire process takes about 5 minutes.
Visit kalshi.com/sign-up and click the "Sign Up" button. You can also download the Kalshi app from the App Store or Google Play and sign up directly on mobile.
Enter your email address and create a secure password. You will receive a verification email — click the link to confirm your account.
As a CFTC-regulated exchange, Kalshi requires identity verification. You will need to provide your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a government-issued photo ID. Verification typically completes within minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours during peak demand.
Deposit funds via bank transfer (ACH), wire transfer, or debit card. ACH transfers are free and take 1-3 business days. Wire transfers settle same-day. Debit card deposits are instant but may have a small fee. Unlike Polymarket, no cryptocurrency is required.
Browse the available markets, select an event you have a view on, and buy Yes or No contracts. Contracts are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, representing the market's implied probability. If your prediction is correct, each contract pays out $1.00.
Kalshi vs Polymarket Onboarding: Key Differences
- Kalshi: Sign up with email, verify identity, deposit USD from your bank — straightforward and familiar
- Polymarket: Connect a crypto wallet, acquire USDC, bridge to Polygon network, approve token spending — crypto-native and more complex
For users who are not already deep in the crypto ecosystem, Kalshi's onboarding is significantly simpler. For a full walkthrough, see our How Does Kalshi Work? guide.
Get Started on Kalshi Today
CFTC-regulated. Legal in all 50 states. No crypto needed. Sign up in 5 minutes.
Sign Up for Kalshi →Polymarket vs Kalshi vs Robinhood: Full Comparison for US Users
Here is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the three main platforms US users consider for prediction market trading.
| Factor | Polymarket | Kalshi | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| US legal status | Blocked for US users | Legal in all 50 states | Legal in all 50 states |
| Regulation | None (US); CFTC settlement | CFTC DCM | SEC/FINRA + CFTC partner |
| Currency | USDC (crypto) | USD | USD |
| Deposit methods | Crypto wallet only | Bank, wire, debit card | Bank, wire, debit card |
| KYC required | Minimal (wallet-based) | Yes (full identity check) | Yes (full identity check) |
| Fund protection | Self-custody (crypto) | Segregated + FDIC banks | SIPC + FDIC sweep |
| Market selection | Hundreds of markets | Hundreds of markets | Limited selection |
| Election markets | Yes (extensive) | Yes (extensive) | Yes (limited) |
| Economic markets | Some | Yes (extensive) | Some |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tax reporting | Self-reported | Automatic 1099 | Automatic 1099 |
| Fees | Low (gas fees apply) | Per-contract trading fees | Built into spread |
| Smart contract risk | Yes | None | None |
| Headquarters | Offshore | New York, USA | Menlo Park, USA |
| Best for US users? | Not available | Best overall | Good if you already use Robinhood |
Our recommendation for US users: Kalshi is the best all-around legal alternative to Polymarket. It offers the widest market selection among regulated US platforms, direct USD funding, CFTC protections, and automatic tax reporting. Robinhood is a solid secondary option, especially if you already use the app for stock trading. For a more detailed head-to-head, see our Polymarket vs Kalshi comparison.
How to Follow Polymarket Odds Without Trading
Even though US users cannot legally trade on Polymarket, you can still view and follow Polymarket's market odds for informational purposes. Polymarket's probability data is widely referenced by media outlets, researchers, and other prediction market platforms.
Ways to Follow Polymarket Data from the US
-
Visit polymarket.com directly
The Polymarket website displays current market prices and probabilities publicly. You can browse markets, view historical price charts, and see current odds without creating an account or attempting to trade. Only trading is blocked for US users; viewing data is not restricted.
-
Use PredScope
PredScope aggregates prediction market data from multiple platforms, including Polymarket, Kalshi, and others. You can compare odds across platforms and see how different markets price the same events — all from one dashboard.
-
Follow news coverage
Major outlets like Bloomberg, CNBC, CNN, and the New York Times regularly cite Polymarket odds in their election and event coverage. This is an easy way to stay informed about Polymarket's consensus probabilities without visiting the site.
-
Polymarket social media
Polymarket maintains active social media accounts (especially on X/Twitter) where they share notable market movements and probability updates.
-
Use the Polymarket API
Developers and data enthusiasts can access Polymarket market data programmatically through the Polymarket API. The API provides real-time and historical pricing data without requiring trading access. See our Polymarket Bot guide for more on automated data access.
Many experienced traders use Polymarket odds as reference data while actually trading on Kalshi. Because Polymarket often has higher global liquidity, its prices can move faster on breaking news. You can watch Polymarket for price signals and then execute your trades on Kalshi, where you are legally protected and can trade in USD. This is a legitimate and common strategy.
Will Polymarket Ever Be Legal in the US?
This is the million-dollar question for many US prediction market fans. The short answer: it is possible but there is no indication it will happen soon.
What Would Need to Happen
For Polymarket to become legal in the US, one of the following would need to occur:
-
Polymarket registers as a CFTC Designated Contract Market (DCM)
This is the path Kalshi took. Polymarket could theoretically apply for DCM status, but it would require significant changes to its operations: moving to a registered entity, implementing full KYC/AML, segregating customer funds, establishing compliance programs, and meeting all 23 CFTC core principles. This would fundamentally change Polymarket's crypto-native model.
-
Congress passes new legislation
The regulatory landscape for prediction markets is evolving. Congress could pass legislation that creates a new framework for crypto-based prediction markets or exempts certain types of platforms from current CFTC requirements. Several proposals have been discussed, but none have been enacted as of March 2026.
-
CFTC changes its stance
A change in CFTC leadership or policy could result in a more permissive approach to crypto-based prediction markets. However, given the existing consent order, any change would require formal regulatory action.
Current Signals
As of March 2026, Polymarket has shown no public indication of pursuing CFTC registration or seeking to re-enter the US market. The platform continues to grow its international user base and appears content operating outside US jurisdiction. The 2024 election cycle demonstrated that Polymarket can thrive with a global audience without US participation.
For US users, the practical advice remains the same: use Kalshi or Robinhood for legal prediction market trading, and follow Polymarket odds for informational purposes. To learn more about the broader landscape, see our What Are Prediction Markets? introductory guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Polymarket in the US?
No. Polymarket officially blocks US users and has geoblocking in place since its 2022 CFTC settlement. Using Polymarket from the US violates the platform's terms of service, and accounts found to be US-based can be frozen or seized. Legal US alternatives include Kalshi (CFTC-regulated) and Robinhood Event Contracts.
Why is Polymarket banned in the US?
Polymarket settled with the CFTC in January 2022 for $1.4 million after operating an unregistered derivatives exchange accessible to US users. The consent order required Polymarket to block US users and implement geoblocking. Rather than pursuing CFTC registration (as Kalshi did), Polymarket chose to continue operating for international users only.
Can I use a VPN to access Polymarket from the US?
While some US users attempt this, we strongly advise against it. Using a VPN to circumvent geoblocking violates Polymarket's terms of service. Risks include account seizure and permanent loss of funds, no legal recourse if your funds are frozen, potential legal exposure for deliberately circumventing a CFTC-mandated block, and KYC requirements at withdrawal that will flag your US identity. Legal alternatives like Kalshi offer a similar experience without any of these risks.
What is the best legal alternative to Polymarket for US users?
Kalshi is the best legal alternative. It is a CFTC-regulated Designated Contract Market with hundreds of event markets covering elections, economics, weather, and more. It uses USD (not crypto), is legal in all 50 states, and provides automatic tax reporting. Robinhood Event Contracts is another solid option, especially if you already use Robinhood for stock trading.
Is Kalshi the same as Polymarket?
Kalshi and Polymarket are both prediction market platforms, but they differ in important ways. Kalshi is CFTC-regulated, US-based, uses USD, and is legal for Americans. Polymarket is unregulated in the US, operates offshore, uses USDC cryptocurrency, and blocks US users. The core trading experience is similar — both let you buy Yes/No contracts on real-world events — but Kalshi offers federal regulatory protections that Polymarket does not. See our Polymarket vs Kalshi comparison for details.
Can I see Polymarket odds without trading?
Yes. You can view Polymarket's market odds and probabilities on polymarket.com without creating an account. The viewing experience is not blocked for US users — only trading is restricted. You can also follow Polymarket odds through aggregator sites like PredScope, news outlets, and the Polymarket API.
Will Polymarket ever be legal in the US?
It is possible but uncertain. Polymarket could theoretically apply for CFTC registration as a Designated Contract Market, similar to Kalshi. However, Polymarket has shown no public indication of pursuing this path as of 2026. New Congressional legislation or changes in CFTC policy could also open a path, but there is no concrete timeline. For now, US users should rely on legal alternatives.
How do I sign up for Kalshi as a Polymarket alternative?
Signing up for Kalshi takes about 5 minutes: (1) Visit kalshi.com/sign-up, (2) Enter your email and create a password, (3) Complete KYC identity verification with your government ID and SSN, (4) Fund your account via bank transfer, wire, or debit card, (5) Start trading. See our How Does Kalshi Work? guide for a full walkthrough.
Ready to Trade Prediction Markets Legally?
Skip the VPN risk. Kalshi is CFTC-regulated, legal in all 50 states, and accepts USD deposits.
Sign Up for Kalshi → Polymarket vs Kalshi →Related guides: Is Polymarket Legal? · Polymarket Alternatives · Polymarket vs Kalshi · Polymarket App · Kalshi App · Robinhood Prediction Markets · How Does Kalshi Work? · What Are Prediction Markets?
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