Prediction markets
Polymarket: how to sign up and trade prediction markets
Polymarket is the largest prediction market of its kind. You trade on the outcome of real-world events, elections, sports, crypto prices, the economy, by buying shares that track how likely each outcome is. If a share costs $0.63, the market is pricing roughly a 63% chance.
This is your starting point: what Polymarket is, how to get on it, and how people actually trade it. You can sign up in minutes, and browsing the markets is free before you commit a cent.
Disclosure. ReferLabs may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our analysis.
Check availability in your jurisdiction before signing up.
What Polymarket is, in plain terms
Every question becomes a set of shares priced between $0.00 and $1.00. You buy Yes if you think an outcome is more likely than the price implies, or No if you think it is less likely. When the event resolves, winning shares are worth $1.00 and losing shares are worth nothing. You can also sell at any time before then as prices move.
There are now two platforms. Polymarket US is CFTC-regulated, settles in US dollars, and requires identity verification. Polymarket International is crypto-native and settles in USDC on the Polygon network, with onboarding by connecting a wallet. Which one you use comes down to where you are. For the full mechanics, read markets explained.
Get started in three steps
Check your eligibility
You need to be 18 or older, and your location decides which platform you use. Some US states and some countries are restricted, so confirm yours first.
Create your account
On Polymarket US you sign up and complete KYC. Internationally you connect a wallet such as MetaMask or Coinbase, or buy USDC with a card via MoonPay.
Fund and place your first trade
Add US dollars or USDC, pick a market you have a view on, and buy Yes or No shares. Browsing the markets is free before you commit anything.
Ready to go? Create your account now, or read the full registration guide for the details of each path.
The full Polymarket guides
Four in-depth guides, from your first trade to running an automated strategy. Read them in any order.
Markets explained
How shares, the order book, fees and resolution actually work. Start here if you are new.
How to register
The US and international sign-up paths, wallets, funding and requirements, step by step.
Finding your edge
Where a real trading advantage comes from, and how to measure whether you have one.
Building a trading bot
Automate market making and arbitrage through the CLOB API, with the risk controls that matter.
Profitable bot strategies
Four strategies where a bot can earn, sports, politics, market making and arbitrage, and the catch on each.
What you can trade
Polymarket spans politics, sports, crypto, economics, and geopolitics and world events. The same account can price an election, a token's year-end level, an interest-rate decision, and a championship.
One practical note: the US app's market list is not identical to the international site's, so which markets you can access depends on the platform you are eligible for. It is worth checking both when you plan what you want to trade.
Frequently asked questions
What is Polymarket?
Polymarket is a prediction-market platform where you trade on the outcome of real-world events, from elections and sports to crypto prices and economic data. Each outcome is a share priced between $0.00 and $1.00 that reads as its implied probability; winning shares pay $1.00 and losing shares pay nothing.
How do I sign up for Polymarket?
It depends on your location. Polymarket US is an app that requires KYC (ID, SSN and proof of US residency) and settles in US dollars. Polymarket International is crypto-native: you connect a wallet and trade in USDC on Polygon, or buy USDC with a card via MoonPay. Our registration guide walks through both paths.
Do I need cryptocurrency to use Polymarket?
Only for the international platform, which settles in USDC. Even then you can buy USDC with a card or bank transfer through MoonPay, so you do not need to already hold crypto. Polymarket US uses US dollars and no crypto at all.
Is Polymarket available in my country or state?
Polymarket US is available in roughly 40 or more states, though several have restrictions or bans, and internationally it is blocked in OFAC-sanctioned countries and some others. These lists change frequently, so confirm your own jurisdiction on Polymarket's official site before signing up. Using a VPN to bypass a geo-block violates the terms and can freeze an account.
Are there fees to trade?
Maker orders (resting limit orders) generally pay no fee, while taker orders (instant fills) pay a fee based on share count and price. Polymarket charges no deposit or withdrawal fees, though on-chain network fees can apply internationally. Some markets are fee-free.
Is there a sign-up bonus?
Any promotions vary over time and by platform and change frequently, so we do not quote a fixed offer. Check the current terms on Polymarket's official site rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere. Signing up through our referral link costs you nothing extra.
Ready to start trading?
Create your account in minutes and place your first trade today. Signing up through our link costs you nothing extra.
Check availability in your jurisdiction before signing up.
Risk & eligibility
Trading prediction markets involves risk, including loss of your entire stake. Availability and rules vary by country and US state. 18+ only. This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Verify current terms on Polymarket's official site before trading.
This page is operated by Refer Labs and contains a disclosed affiliate referral link to Polymarket. We may earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no extra cost to you. Referral rewards, fees, and country or US-state availability are set by Polymarket, change frequently, and are described here as current at the time of writing; always confirm the current terms on Polymarket's official documentation. Our full standards are at how we research.