Prediction Markets Heat Up: CME, FanDuel, and Polymarket Advance US Offerings

CME, FanDuel, and Polymarket push U.S. prediction markets amid rising trading and clearer rules.

Guy looking closer at the Pi coin price crypto chart.
Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from Ciphera

Two major developments this week signal growing institutional and Web3 interest in U.S. prediction markets. CME Group and FanDuel announced plans to launch a regulated prediction platform, while Polymarket began testing a compliant US exchange ahead of its relaunch.

CME and FanDuel to Launch Regulated Prediction App

CME Group, the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, and FanDuel, the U.S. sports betting platform owned by Flutter Entertainment, unveiled a new mobile application called FanDuel Predicts. 

The app is set to debut in December 2025, pending regulatory clearance, and will offer event-based contracts tied to sports outcomes, economic indicators, and financial benchmarks.

The companies said the platform will operate in select U.S. states and use CME’s regulated market infrastructure. The new product aims to merge FanDuel’s consumer reach with CME’s derivatives expertise, creating a legally compliant environment for small-scale event trading.

FanDuel Predicts will include standard compliance features such as identity verification and exposure controls. CME stated that all contracts will be structured as “yes/no” event-based instruments settled through its regulated clearing mechanisms.

Polymarket Tests U.S. Exchange Relaunch

At the same time, blockchain-based prediction market Polymarket has begun beta testing its new US exchange. 

The move follows the company’s acquisition of QCEX, a registered US derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, and a no-action letter granted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) that permits limited operations.

The company plans to reopen full access later in November 2025 and is reportedly in discussions with major investors for additional funding.

Regulatory Landscape

Prediction markets in the U.S. are seeing rapid growth, driven by heightened interest following the 2024 election and a gradual easing of regulatory constraints. Trading volumes surged across platforms in October, hitting record levels.

Two major competitors, Kalshi and Polymarket, accounted for a combined $7.4 billion in trading, marking their strongest month to date. 

Kalshi led with roughly $4.4 billion, while Polymarket followed at $3 billion. Sports-related contracts drove the bulk of activity, outperforming political and economic contracts in both participation and liquidity.

Why This Matters

The developments show U.S. prediction markets moving from a niche space into a regulated, high-volume sector where both traditional finance and blockchain platforms can compete and scale.

Delve into Ciphera’s trending crypto news today:
6.4 Trillion LUNC “Burned”: Legit Luna Classic Burn Or Hoax?
Canary CEO: “XRP Will Double Solana” In Amped ETF Race

People Also Ask:

What is a prediction market?

A prediction market is a platform where participants trade contracts based on the outcome of future events, such as elections, sports, or financial indicators. Prices reflect collective probability estimates.

How do prediction markets work?

Users buy “yes/no” or outcome-based contracts. If the event happens, the contract pays out; if not, it expires worthless. Prices often indicate the market’s probability of an event occurring.

Are prediction markets legal in the U.S.?

Yes, but mostly under regulated frameworks. Platforms must comply with CFTC rules or state regulations. Blockchain-based platforms operate under evolving guidance and may require special approvals.

What’s the difference between traditional and crypto prediction markets?

Traditional markets (like Kalshi) use fiat and regulated infrastructure, while crypto-based markets (like Polymarket) use blockchain, offering decentralized trading and on-chain settlement.

What risks should I consider?

Prediction markets can be volatile. Contract value depends entirely on event outcomes, and platforms may carry regulatory or technical risks, especially for crypto-based markets.

Ciphera's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?
Market Sentiment
0% Neutral

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Author
Ciphera Team

Ciphera is an online media outlet, with a focus to cover blockchain and crypto news, opinions, trends and helpful articles. We focus on delivering fast and objective news about cryptocurrencies and crypto markets with a swirl of passion. Our dedicated and motivated global team is here to deliver the highest quality content. If you want to collaborate with Ciphera and become our contibutor, please contact us at contact@ciphera.com.

Read more

Subscribe here