Polymarket Onboards First US Users Since 2022 Shutdown: Beta Relaunch Signals Major Comeback

Crypto-based prediction platform Polymarket has officially begun onboarding select U.S. users for real-money betting, marking its first return to the American market since a regulatory shutdown in 2022.

After nearly three years of operating offshore, Polymarket is conducting a limited beta test that allows approved participants to place real bets on live event outcomes. Founder Shayne Coplan announced the relaunch during Cantor Fitzgerald's Crypto & AI Infrastructure Conference in Miami, revealing that the exchange is “actually live and operational,” with new users being gradually onboarded.

The move represents a significant step for the New York-based startup, which was fined $1.4 million by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in 2022 for running an unregistered trading platform. To regain compliance, Polymarket later acquired QCX, a firm authorized by the CFTC to operate a derivatives exchange and clearinghouse.

Polymarket Reenters a Crowded Prediction Market

Polymarkets timing coincides with escalating competition in the fast-growing prediction market sector, where financial and gaming platforms are converging around event-based wagering.

Kalshi, a long-standing CFTC-regulated exchange, continues to serve U.S. traders, while FanDuel—one of Americas top sports betting operators—recently announced it would debut its own prediction market in partnership with derivatives giant CME Group this December.

These developments highlight a renewed race to capture U.S. market share, especially after Polymarkets offshore platform processed billions of dollars in bets on the 2024 presidential election and other high-profile events.

Expanding Partnerships and Crypto Integrations

Polymarket is also expanding its presence deeper into the crypto and fintech ecosystem. The company recently unveiled integrations with MetaMask, enabling users to place wagers directly through the popular crypto wallet. It also rolled out real-time earnings prediction features on Stocktwits, a major social investing network.

In a strategic media move, Polymarket announced a partnership with Yahoo Finance, becoming the financial news sites exclusive prediction market partner. Coplan said that “deep integrations” between the two platforms are expected soon, aiming to bring prediction-based insights to millions of Yahoo Finance users.

Meanwhile, other crypto exchanges are moving into the space as well: Crypto.com and Gemini—founded by the Winklevoss twins—both announced plans to launch their own prediction platforms in November.

Outlook: A Regulatory Test and Market Opportunity

With its U.S. relaunch underway, Polymarket faces both opportunity and scrutiny. Its success will depend on regulatory compliance, user trust, and innovation in an increasingly crowded field that merges elements of crypto, finance, and entertainment.

If its beta program runs smoothly, a full reopening is expected next month—potentially positioning Polymarket as a leading player in Americas rebounding prediction market economy.