Gaining formal approval allows Polymarket to bring prediction trading into mainstream US
Polymarket has received approval from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to operate an intermediated trading platform, marking a major shift for the crypto-based prediction market. The company announced that the CFTC issued an Amended Order of Designation, placing Polymarket under the full regulatory framework governing federally supervised exchanges. This means the platform can onboard brokerages and US customers directly, opening the door to wider participation.
Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan said the approval reflects a new phase for the company, one centered on transparency and compliance. He emphasized that operating within the US regulatory structure will help the platform grow while meeting the standards expected of domestic financial markets.
The decision comes roughly five months after federal investigators ended a probe into whether Polymarket improperly allowed US users to trade on the platform. That investigation involved both the CFTC and the Department of Justice, and included an FBI search of Coplan’s home, where agents seized electronic equipment. With the inquiry concluded, Polymarket is now positioned to operate under clearer oversight.
Prediction markets fall under the CFTC’s authority because their contracts resemble event-based derivatives. The regulatory environment could expand further as Congress considers new legislation that may broaden the CFTC’s role in supervising digital assets.
The timing of Polymarket’s approval coincides with uncertainty at the regulator. Acting Chair Caroline Pham issued the notice while the Senate prepares to vote on President Trump’s nominee, SEC official Michael Selig, to lead the CFTC. Even if confirmed, the agency will still be operating with four commissioner vacancies, leaving significant leadership gaps.
