Polymarket gains CFTC approval to launch regulated US prediction markets

Polymarket, the world’s largest prediction market, has received approval from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission to operate as a regulated, intermediated exchange.

The amended order of designation allows Polymarket to onboard brokerages and users directly, enabling US-based trading through futures commission merchants and traditional custody and reporting systems.

The approval follows Polymarket’s $112 million acquisition of QCX LLC and QC Clearing earlier this year—firms already licensed to operate as a CFTC-regulated exchange and clearinghouse. That deal gave Polymarket the legal foundation to pursue a compliant return to the US.

The approval marks Polymarket’s re-entry into the US under full compliance with federal exchange regulations. As part of the designation, the platform has implemented enhanced surveillance, clearing systems, and part-16 reporting capabilities, aligning with the standards required of Designated Contract Markets.

Polymarket remains subject to all provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC oversight, and will introduce additional processes ahead of launch to meet intermediated trading requirements. The move formalises the platform’s role as a regulated venue for trading contracts tied to real-world events.