Polymarket Puts Bad Bets to Return to the US: Billion-Dollar Bet Could Change the Game of Prediction Markets

Polymarket Returns to the US: A $1 Billion Bet Could Shake Up the Prediction Markets

After three years banned from the world's major financial stage, Polymarket, the crypto prediction giant, is ready to reopen its doors in the United States. The highly anticipated return, backed by regulatory approval and massive investments, could shake up the US prediction market scene.

Quick Summary

• Expected Return: By November 2025, with an initial focus on sports betting
• CFTC Green Light: A no-action letter issued after acquiring the regulated QCEX
• Evaluations Soaring: The company could reach $10 billion, up from $1 billion in June
• Heavyweight Investors: ICE (NYSE owner) invested $2 billion in the platform

From Exile to Comeback: How Polymarket Turned the Game

In 2022, the CFTC forced Polymarket out of the US for operating derivatives without registration. Three years later, the scene has changed completely.

Regulatory Turnaround

In September 2024, the Commission issued a no-action letter after Polymarket acquired QCEX, a regulated derivatives exchange. This was the missing piece for the triumphant return.

Polymarket's founder, Shayne Coplan, took advantage of the moment to set up the necessary legal infrastructure. As a result, the platform now displays a waiting list and the "coming soon for American traders" notice on its website.

Calculated Return Strategy

The return will be gradual and cautious:

Phase 1: Sports Betting

• A gateway to test the waters
• Demonstrate regulatory maturity
• Build confidence with authorities

Phase 2: POLY Token (2026)

• Launch only after consolidation
• Avoid regulatory setbacks
• Ensure a solid user base

Everything is calculated to avoid past mistakes and consolidate a sustainable foothold.

Meteoric Growth: Polymarket's New Era Numbers

Evaluation Evolution

• June 2024: $1 billion (after a $200 million funding round)
• September 2024: $8 billion (with ICE's $2 billion investment)
• Potential 2025: Up to $10 billion

ICE's Historic Investment

The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), invested an impressive $2 billion in Polymarket, valuing the company at $8 billion.

Jeffrey Sprecher, ICE CEO, summarized the partnership:

"It's the union of an institution founded in 1792 with a visionary DeFi company."

Impressive Performance

During the 2024 US Elections:

• Moved over $2 billion per month
• Outperformed traditional polls in accuracy
• Gained mainstream credibility

Post-Elections:

• Maintains over $1 billion in monthly volume
• Growing user base
• Expanding to new markets

What is Polymarket?

Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market platform where users can bet on real-world events:

How it Works

1. Diverse Markets

• Politics and elections
• Sports
• Economy and finance
• Cultural events
• Technology and crypto

2. Simple Mechanics

• Buy "yes" or "no" actions
• Price reflects market probability
• Win $1 per action if correct
• Lose investment if incorrect

3. Blockchain Technology

• Smart contracts on Polygon
• Total transparency
• Automatic settlement
• No intermediaries

Why it Works

Collective Wisdom

• Aggregates dispersed information
• Financial incentives for accuracy
• Rapid error correction

Advantages over Polls

• Real money at stake
• Real-time updates
• No sampling bias
• Proven track record of accuracy

Intense Competition and New Players

The US prediction market scene is heating up:

Kalshi: The Direct Rival

• Evaluation: $2 billion
• Victory in Court: Won a lawsuit against the CFTC
• Differential: Already offers contracts on political events
• Advantage: Fully regulated from the start

Trump Media Enters the Game

The Trump Media and Technology Group announced a partnership with Crypto.com to launch prediction markets on Truth Social.

Potential Impact:

• Engaged user base
• Focus on political events
• Social media integration
• Direct competition with Polymarket

Other Competitors

• Augur: Pioneering decentralized
• Gnosis: Focus on DeFi
• PredictIt: Academic and regulated
• Betfair: Traditional giant

Challenges Ahead: Hunting "Farmers" and Volatile Regulatory Environment

The Problem of "Farmers"

The big challenge now is to separate legitimate traders from the infamous "farmers" – specialists in multiplying gains before the POLY token launch.

Sophisticated Techniques in 2025:

• Multiple accounts (Sybil attacks)
• Automated bots
• Wash trading
• Manipulation of small markets

Risks:

• Uncontrolled rush may tarnish the token launch
• Damage to the platform's reputation
• Attract negative attention from regulators
• Harm legitimate users

Countermeasures:

• Strict KYC/AML
• Pattern analysis for suspicious activity
• Volume limits
• Real-time monitoring

Uncertainty in Regulation

Despite recent progress, there are no guarantees that authorities won't harden their stance.

Regulatory Risks:

• CFTC's changed posture
• New legal interpretations
• Political pressure
• Concerns about manipulation

Precedents to Worry About:

• Kalshi had to fight in court
• PredictIt was forced to close
• Regulation is still evolving
• Volatile political environment

Technology and Infrastructure

Polygon Blockchain

Polymarket operates on Polygon, a Layer 2 solution of Ethereum:

Advantages:

• Extremely low fees
• Fast transactions
• Ethereum's security
• Scalability

USDC as Base Currency

All bets are made in USDC (stablecoin):

Benefits:

• No volatility
• Easy conversion
• Widely accepted
• Transparency

Smart Contracts

Characteristics:

• Audited code
• Automatic settlement
• No custody
• Total transparency

The POLY Token: What to Expect?

Scheduled for 2026, the POLY token will be crucial for the ecosystem:

Expected Utilities

Governance

• Voting in platform decisions
• Proposing new markets
• Setting protocol parameters

Incentives

• Rewards for market makers
• Cashback on fees
• Staking with yields

Premium Access

• Exclusive markets
• Advanced tools
• Data and analytics

Tokenomics (Speculation)

Not yet officially disclosed, but expected:

• Limited supply
• Distribution to active users
• Vesting for team and investors
• Burning mechanisms

Impact on the Prediction Market Scene

Legitimization of the Sector

Polymarket's return with ICE's support may:

• Legitimize crypto prediction markets
• Attract institutional investment
• Establish regulatory standards
• Open the door for other projects

Mainstream Adoption

Growth Factors:

• Positive media coverage
• Proven accuracy
• User-friendly interface
• Increasing liquidity

Barriers to Overcome:

• Educating the public
• Perception of "bets"
• Complexity of crypto
• Variable regulation

Beyond Betting: Serious Use Cases

Prediction markets have serious applications:

Market Intelligence

• Predicting product launches
• Timing corporate decisions
• Analyzing trends
• Due diligence

Risk Management

• Hedging against specific events
• Diversifying portfolios
• Protecting downside
• Informed speculation

Research and Development

• Validating hypotheses
• Prioritizing features
• Testing concepts
• Feedback from the market

Comparison: Polymarket vs Traditional Markets

Advantages of Polymarket

Transparency

• All transactions on-chain
• Auditable code
• No black box

Accessibility

• Global (except restrictions)
• No intermediaries
• Low barriers to entry

Efficiency

• Instant settlement
• Low fees
• 24/7

Disadvantages

Complexity

• Requires crypto knowledge
• Managing wallets
• Steep learning curve

Liquidity

• Lower than traditional markets
• Wider spreads in small markets
• Risk of manipulation

Regulation

• Uncertainty in law
• Geographical restrictions
• Risk of changes

What to Expect Now?

Polymarket is back with strong cards:

Key Strengths

✅ Massive Institutional Support

• ICE invested $2 billion
• Established credibility
• Abundant resources

✅ Proven Technology

• Mature platform
• Millions of transactions processed
• Scalable infrastructure

✅ Engaged International Community

• Loyal user base
• Network effects
• Brand evangelists

✅ Proven Accuracy

• Committed reputation
• Outperformed traditional polls
• Positive media coverage

Challenges to Overcome

⚠️ Intense Competition

• Kalshi already established
• New entrants
• Fragmented market

⚠️ Uncertain Regulation

• Evolving regulatory environment
• Risk of changes
• Compliance complexities

⚠️ Farmer Management

• Threat to token launch
• Reputation at stake
• Technical solutions needed

Expected Timeline

2025

Q1-Q2:

• Gradual launch in the US
• Focus on sports betting
• Building regulatory foundation

Q3-Q4:

• Expanding markets
• Increasing liquidity
• Preparing for token launch

2026

Q1:

• Launch of the POLY token
• Airdrop for users
• Listing on exchanges

Q2-Q4:

• Implementing governance
• New features
• Global expansion

Conclusion

Polymarket's return to the United States marks a historic moment for decentralized prediction markets. With $2 billion from ICE, regulatory approval from the CFTC, and an evaluation that could reach $10 billion, the platform is poised to lead the prediction market revolution.

Key Points

1. Legitimization: ICE's investment legitimates the sector
2. Regulation: CFTC's approval opens the door for others
3. Competition: Aqueced market benefits users
4. Innovation: Blockchain technology brings transparency
5. Future: POLY token may revolutionize governance

For Investors

Polymarket represents a bet on the future of decentralized prediction markets. With solid fundamentals, institutional support, and proven technology, the potential is enormous – but regulatory and competitive risks should not be ignored.

For Users

The return to the US means more liquidity, better markets, and greater confidence in the platform. If you're interested in prediction markets, this is the time to pay attention.

Polymarket is back. And the game is just beginning.