Prediction Markets Go Mainstream as Polymarket Surpasses $20 Billion in Trades

Polymarket, a digital platform for prediction markets, has achieved over $20 billion in cumulative trading volume, marking a significant achievement for the sector, according to a

. The service, which enables users to place bets on outcomes of real-world events such as elections and company results, has experienced rapid expansion since regaining regulatory approval in the U.S. earlier this year, as stated in a .

This spike in trading activity comes as prediction markets overall are experiencing a surge in valuations. In September 2025, reports indicated Polymarket was exploring a $9 billion valuation, a dramatic rise from its $1 billion valuation in June 2025, according to a

. This momentum has been driven by clearer regulatory guidelines, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) granting permission for the platform to operate in the U.S. after a two-year suspension, as CoinDesk reported. Rival platform Kalshi, which also provides real-money event contracts, has seen its valuation increase to between $10 billion and $12 billion, according to a .

Polymarket's growth is also supported by key alliances. The platform recently entered into an agreement to act as a clearinghouse for

, a leading name in sports betting, as DraftKings expands into the prediction market space, as reported in a . Furthermore, (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, invested $2 billion in Polymarket, valuing the company at approximately $8 billion, according to Bloomberg. This collaboration also involves data-sharing arrangements and plans for future tokenization, Bloomberg noted.

The platform is anticipated to introduce a new token following Polymarket’s relaunch in the U.S., which is expected to become a core component of the platform. Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Modabber confirmed both the token's development and an upcoming distribution to users in an interview with Yahoo Finance. While detailed plans have not yet been disclosed, Modabber suggested the model may draw inspiration from Hyperliquid, a decentralized exchange that launched a token without immediate incentives. The distribution is expected to reward users based on their trading activity, a standard approach in decentralized finance, according to a

.

Nevertheless, regulatory uncertainties remain. U.S. lawmakers are still discussing whether prediction markets should fall under the category of derivatives or gambling, a decision that could influence the rollout of Polymarket's token, as reported by a

. In spite of these challenges, Polymarket's partnership with and its recent regulatory approval put it in a strong position to address these issues, according to Bloomberg.

As Polymarket gears up for its next stage, its rapid expansion mirrors a larger transformation in the financial sector. With weekly trading volumes topping $2 billion in October 2025, as reported by Seeking Alpha, prediction markets are increasingly being recognized as a mainstream investment option, drawing interest from both individual and institutional investors, TheCoinrise observed.