Polymarket
USDC-settled on Polygon. Largest prediction market by volume.
- ✓ UK and international users wanting the deepest liquidity on global political and economic markets
- ✓ Crypto-native traders comfortable with USDC and a non-custodial wallet
- ✓ Anyone trading elections, geopolitics, and major world events
- ✗ Traders who want GBP/fiat settlement or traditional bank transfers
- ✗ Anyone without a crypto wallet and USDC
- ✗ Anyone looking for sports markets
About this operator
Polymarket is the largest prediction market by traded volume, settling all trades in USDC on the Polygon blockchain. UK users can access it via crypto wallets; it sits outside FCA and Gambling Commission perimeters as an offshore on-chain venue.
Quick facts
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | New York, USA |
| Type | Crypto / On-chain |
| Settlement | USDC on Polygon |
| Fees | ~2% (taker) |
| Min deposit | $1 |
| KYC | Light (geo-restricted) |
| Volume | $8B+ lifetime |
| ✓ Last verified May 2026 | |
Polymarket — Scorecard
Editorial ratings based on publicly available data. Your experience may vary.
Polymarket — strengths & weaknesses
- ✓ Deepest liquidity
- ✓ Broad market coverage
- ✓ On-chain settlement
- ✗ US retail users blocked on main platform (licensed US app via waitlist in 2026)
- ✗ Requires a crypto wallet and USDC: no GBP, USD, or bank account option
- ✗ No sports markets
- ✗ ~2% taker fee on every transaction: applies whether you win or lose
Real cost: Polymarket
Every buy or sell costs ~2% of the trade value, win or lose. Buying $100 of YES shares costs ~$2 upfront. A round trip (buy then sell) costs ~$4 in fees regardless of the outcome. There are no withdrawal fees beyond standard Polygon gas (~$0.01/tx).
Getting started: Polymarket
- 1 Install a crypto wallet: MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or Phantom
- 2 Buy USDC on a crypto exchange (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance) and transfer to your wallet
- 3 Go to polymarket.com, click "Connect Wallet", no email or account needed
- 4 Browse markets, click a contract, and place a limit or market order
FAQ — Polymarket
Can non-US users use Polymarket? +
Yes: Polymarket is freely available to users outside the United States, including those in the UK, via a crypto wallet. US retail users are restricted on the main platform following a 2022 CFTC settlement, though a licenced US app is rolling out via waitlist. Non-US users need a compatible wallet (MetaMask, Phantom, or Coinbase Wallet) funded with USDC.
Do I need a crypto wallet to use Polymarket? +
Yes. Polymarket settles all trades in USDC on the Polygon blockchain. You need a compatible crypto wallet, such as MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or Phantom, funded with USDC to trade. There is no fiat (bank) on-ramp directly on the platform.
What fees does Polymarket charge? +
Polymarket charges approximately 2% on taker orders (market buys and sells). Limit orders that rest in the order book are charged a lower or zero maker fee. Fees are taken in USDC at the time of the transaction. Polygon gas fees are negligible, under $0.01 per transaction.
Is Polymarket safe? +
Polymarket uses on-chain settlement via UMA's optimistic oracle on Polygon: funds are held in audited smart contracts rather than with a centralised custodian, which removes counterparty risk but introduces smart-contract risk. The platform has processed over $8 billion in lifetime volume without a systemic failure.
What markets are on Polymarket? +
Polymarket focuses on global politics (elections, geopolitics, international affairs), economics, science, and culture. It does not offer sports markets. Its order books are the deepest in the world on major political events, US and international elections, geopolitical developments, and economic outcomes.
