Polymarket Seeks CFTC Approval to Reopen Exchange to US Traders

Polymarket is reportedly seeking Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approval to relaunch its main prediction market for US users. The company has been in talks with CFTC officials to lift the ban on US-based traders, which was imposed following a 2022 settlement. If approved, this move would allow Polymarket to compete with Kalshi in the US market and bring more event-trading activity under CFTC regulatory oversight. The CFTC had previously cleared a separate US-only Polymarket platform in November, but it has yet to fully launch. Prediction markets, which enable users to trade contracts tied to future events, have faced increasing scrutiny from states that argue they operate as unlicensed gambling operations. The CFTC would need to vote on the proposal, with Chairman Michael Selig being the sole sitting commissioner due to four vacant seats. Selig has previously stated that states lack the authority to regulate prediction markets, which fall under the CFTC's jurisdiction. The development comes after a soldier was accused of using a VPN to access Polymarket's international exchange and make over $400,000 from trades based on classified information. Polymarket has declined to comment on the matter.