Before You Start
Before you can place your first trade on Polymarket, you need to fund your account. The good news: you don't need to be a crypto expert to do it. Whether you're starting from a bank account or already have crypto in a wallet, there's a deposit method that works for you.
What Currency Does Polymarket Use?
Polymarket uses USDC, a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar.
1 USDC = $1.00
Your funds don't lose value due to crypto volatility while they sit in your account. Every market on Polymarket is priced in USDC and all your winnings are paid out in USDC too.
Haven't created your account yet? Start here →
Overview of Deposit Methods
| Method | Best for | Speed | Fees | |---|---|---|---| | Card / Apple Pay / Google Pay | Beginners without crypto | Instant | ~2-3% | | Transfer Crypto | People who already have crypto | Near-instant | Low (network gas only) |
How to Access the Deposit Page
Step 1. Log in at Polymarket Step 2. Click on your wallet balance in the top-right corner Step 3. Click Deposit
Click the blue "Deposit" button in the top-right corner of your dashboard.
Method 1: Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay (Easiest Option)
No crypto needed. You fund your account directly in a few clicks. Polymarket supports:
- Card (Visa, Mastercard) — $115,000 limit · Instant
- Apple Pay — $115,000 limit · Instant
- Google Pay — $115,000 limit · Instant
- Revolut Pay — $115,000 limit · Instant
- PayPal — $115,000 limit · Instant
Click "Use Cash" to see all available payment methods.
How to deposit:
- Click Deposit then select Use Cash
- Choose your payment method
- Enter the amount (minimum ~$10)
- Confirm the payment
- Funds appear instantly in your account
Card and digital wallet deposits carry a small fee (~2-3%) from the payment processor.
Method 2: Transfer Crypto (Cheapest Option)
Recommended if you already have crypto on any exchange (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken...) or in a personal wallet.
Supported tokens: USDC, USDT, ETH, MATIC, and 19+ others, all automatically converted to USDC. Supported chains: Polygon, Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Solana, and 8+ others.
Step 1. Click Deposit then select Use Crypto
Select "Use Crypto" then click "Transfer Crypto".
Step 2. Choose your token and chain.
- Token: Choose USDC if you have it (zero conversion fee)
- Chain: Choose the blockchain your token is on
Pro tip: Avoid Ethereum mainnet. Gas fees can be $5-20+. Polygon, Base, and Arbitrum are much cheaper, often under $0.10.
Step 3. Copy your deposit address. Polymarket shows you a unique address and a QR code.
Copy your deposit address or scan the QR code from your exchange.
Step 4. Go to your exchange, click Withdraw, paste Polymarket's address, select the same chain, enter the amount and confirm.
Important: The chain on your exchange must match the chain you selected on Polymarket. Sending on the wrong chain can result in lost funds.
Step 5. Funds usually arrive within 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Polygon is fastest.
Your balance updates automatically once the transfer is confirmed.
Minimum Deposit Amounts
- Card / Apple Pay / Google Pay: ~$10 minimum
- Transfer Crypto: $3 minimum
No maximum deposit limit.
Next Steps
Ready to trade? Here are the best resources to continue:
- What is Polymarket? — complete overview of the platform
- How to use Polymarket step by step — placing your first trade
- Polymarket USDC guide — everything about USDC on Polymarket
- How to withdraw from Polymarket — getting your money out
- Browse live markets on PredMarket.io
