Can US Users Use Polymarket in 2026?
The short answer: No, US residents cannot legally trade on Polymarket with real money. Polymarket explicitly restricts US users from depositing funds, placing trades, or holding positions. US residents can browse markets and view odds, but that is the extent of permitted access.
This restriction has been in place since Polymarket's 2022 settlement with the CFTC and remains fully enforced in 2026.
For a complete overview of Polymarket's legality across all countries, see our full country guide.
Why Is Polymarket Restricted in the US?
The restriction stems from a formal enforcement action by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC):
January 2022 — The CFTC settled enforcement proceedings against Polymarket (operated by Blockratize, Inc.) for operating an unregistered event-based binary options trading facility. Under the Commodity Exchange Act, event contracts are classified as swaps, which require registration to offer to US persons.
Settlement terms — Polymarket paid a $1.4 million civil monetary penalty and agreed to wind down all markets that had not yet resolved. As part of the settlement, Polymarket committed to ceasing its US-facing operations.
Since 2022 — Polymarket has maintained strict geo-blocking for US IP addresses, does not accept US identity documents for KYC verification, and monitors wallet activity for patterns consistent with US-based users.
This is not a voluntary decision by Polymarket. It is a legal requirement following a federal enforcement action. Violating the terms of the CFTC settlement could expose Polymarket to additional penalties.
What Happens If US Users Try to Access Polymarket?
Polymarket employs multiple layers of enforcement:
- IP geoblocking — US-based IP addresses are blocked from accessing trading features. Users see a message indicating that trading is unavailable in their jurisdiction.
- KYC verification — Account verification requires non-US identity documents. US passports, driver's licenses, and state IDs are not accepted.
- Wallet monitoring — Polymarket screens wallet activity for patterns associated with US-based users, including connections to US-based exchanges.
- Terms of service — Polymarket's terms explicitly prohibit US persons from trading. Violation can result in account termination and forfeiture of funds.
Using a VPN to bypass these restrictions is a violation of Polymarket's terms of service and potentially a violation of US law. Users who circumvent geo-restrictions risk losing their entire account balance with no recourse.
Is the Regulatory Landscape Changing?
There are signs that US prediction market regulation may evolve:
Growing bipartisan support — Following the high-profile accuracy of prediction markets during the 2024 elections, there is increasing bipartisan interest in Congress for creating a legal framework for prediction markets. Several legislative proposals have been introduced.
Kalshi's legal victories — Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated prediction market, has successfully expanded its offerings, including winning a court battle to list election contracts. This sets precedents that could eventually benefit platforms like Polymarket.
CFTC evolving stance — The CFTC has shown increasing openness to event contracts, approving new categories for regulated platforms. However, this does not retroactively change Polymarket's status as an unregistered platform.
Potential pathways — For Polymarket to serve US users, it would likely need to either register with the CFTC as a designated contract market (DCM) or swap execution facility (SEF), or obtain specific regulatory relief. Neither has occurred as of March 2026.
The timeline for any regulatory change remains uncertain. Even optimistic scenarios would likely take several years to implement.
Legal Alternatives for US Users
US residents who want to trade on prediction markets have several legal options:
Kalshi — The leading CFTC-regulated prediction market for US users. Kalshi offers event contracts on elections, economics, weather, and more. Trades are in USD, funds are held in CFTC-mandated segregated accounts, and the platform operates with full regulatory compliance. See our Polymarket vs Kalshi comparison.
Iowa Electronic Markets (IEM) — Operated by the University of Iowa under a CFTC no-action letter, the IEM offers political and economic prediction markets with small position limits.
Metaculus — A free forecasting platform without real-money trading. Metaculus uses a reputation-based scoring system and has an active community of forecasters. Ideal for those interested in predictions without financial risk.
PredictIt — Previously operated under a CFTC no-action letter, PredictIt's status has been uncertain. Check the current status before relying on this option.
Tracking Markets Without Trading
Even though US users cannot trade on Polymarket, they can still benefit from prediction market data:
- Browse Polymarket.com freely — viewing odds and market movements is not restricted.
- Use PredMarket.io — Browse live markets and track odds across multiple prediction market platforms from anywhere.
- Follow market analysis — Prediction market odds are widely reported by major news outlets and can inform decision-making without requiring direct participation.
What US Users Should Avoid
To be clear about the risks:
- Do not use VPNs to bypass Polymarket's geo-restrictions. This violates their terms of service and could result in total loss of funds.
- Do not use false identity documents for KYC verification. This is potentially a federal crime.
- Do not use foreign bank accounts or intermediaries to circumvent restrictions. This could violate anti-money laundering laws.
- Do not assume regulatory changes are imminent. While the landscape may evolve, there is no guaranteed timeline.
Bottom Line
US users cannot legally trade on Polymarket in 2026. The restriction is the result of a CFTC enforcement action and is actively enforced through multiple mechanisms. Attempting to circumvent these restrictions carries significant legal and financial risks.
For US residents interested in prediction markets, Kalshi is the fully regulated alternative that offers a comparable experience within the bounds of US law. For tracking odds without trading, visit PredMarket.io.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified legal professional for guidance specific to your situation.
