Top Markets by Volume
Highest trading activity across platforms
Fed decision in January?
PolymarketUS strikes Iran by...?
PolymarketKhamenei out as Supreme Leader of Iran by January 31?
PolymarketPortugal Presidential Election
PolymarketKnicks vs. Kings
Polymarket2026 NBA Champion
PolymarketRaptors vs. Pacers
PolymarketNets vs. Pelicans
PolymarketNuggets vs. Mavericks
PolymarketBitcoin above ___ on January 15?
PolymarketDemocratic Presidential Nominee 2028
PolymarketWizards vs. Clippers
PolymarketChelsea FC vs Arsenal FC
PolymarketWhat price will Bitcoin hit in January?
PolymarketMemphis at Orlando
KalshiRepublican Presidential Nominee 2028
PolymarketUS next strikes Iran on...?
PolymarketToronto at Indiana
KalshiNew York at Sacramento
KalshiNigeria vs. Morocco
PolymarketJazz vs. Bulls
PolymarketPresidential Election Winner 2028
PolymarketDenver at Dallas
KalshiElon Musk # tweets January 9 - January 16, 2026?
PolymarketWho will Trump nominate as Fed Chair?
PolymarketIsrael strikes Iran by January 31, 2026?
PolymarketCavaliers vs. 76ers
PolymarketUtah at Chicago
KalshiColorado Buffaloes vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
PolymarketEast Carolina Pirates vs. South Florida Bulls
PolymarketWill the Iranian regime fall by January 31?
PolymarketLoL: Weibo Gaming vs Bilibili Gaming (BO3) - LPL Group Ascend
PolymarketSuper Bowl Champion 2026
PolymarketTCU at BYU
KalshiBuffalo at Denver
KalshiKhamenei out as Supreme Leader of Iran by March 31?
PolymarketBrooklyn at New Orleans
KalshiIowa at Purdue
KalshiKentucky Wildcats vs. LSU Tigers
PolymarketCleveland at Philadelphia
KalshiWashington at Los Angeles C
KalshiDuke at California
KalshiUCF at Kansas St.
KalshiShelton vs Baez
KalshiVCU at Rhode Island
KalshiAli Khamenei out as Supreme Leader?
KalshiKentucky at LSU
KalshiVanderbilt at Texas
KalshiOle Miss at Georgia
KalshiArizona St. at Arizona
KalshiVegas at Los Angeles
KalshiNorth Carolina at Stanford
KalshiVirginia Tech at SMU
KalshiButler at Xavier
KalshiMemphis at Orlando: Spread
KalshiLoyola Marymount at Oregon St.
KalshiMemphis at Orlando: Total Points
KalshiLafayette at Bucknell
KalshiDarderi vs Giron
KalshiSan Francisco at Seattle
KalshiWill Zelenskyy wear a suit before July?
PolymarketFed decision in January?
PolymarketFed decision in December?
PolymarketNext president of South Korea?
PolymarketFed decision in October?
PolymarketFed decision in September?
PolymarketNew York City Mayoral Election
PolymarketRomania: Bucharest Mayoral Election
PolymarketWill Trump release Epstein files by...?
PolymarketWho will die in Stranger Things: Season 5?
PolymarketIreland Presidential Election
PolymarketRomania Presidential Election Winner
PolymarketLighter market cap (FDV) one day after launch?
PolymarketMegaETH public sale total commitments?
PolymarketJake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua
PolymarketFed decision in July?
PolymarketNext Prime Minister of Canada after the election?
PolymarketUS x Venezuela military engagement by...?
PolymarketFed decision in May?
PolymarketWill Polymarket US go live in 2025?
PolymarketPoland Presidential Election
PolymarketFed decision in June?
PolymarketMonad FDV one day after launch?
PolymarketLoL: T1 vs KT Rolster (BO5)
PolymarketNBA Champion
PolymarketWhen will the Government shutdown end?
PolymarketWho will Trump nominate as Fed Chair?
PolymarketMonad public sale total commitments above ___ ?
Polymarket#1 Searched Person on Google this year?
PolymarketWhat day will the Government Shutdown end?
PolymarketHouston at Pittsburgh
KalshiLos Angeles C at New England
KalshiMiami (FL) at Ole Miss
KalshiSan Francisco at Philadelphia
KalshiAtlanta at Los Angeles L
KalshiLos Angeles C at New England: Spread
KalshiBoise St. at UNLV
KalshiPhoenix at Miami
KalshiUtah at Cleveland
KalshiLos Angeles L at Sacramento
KalshiDenver at New Orleans
KalshiHouston at Pittsburgh: Spread
KalshiTexas A&M at Tennessee
KalshiHouston at Sacramento
KalshiSan Antonio at Oklahoma City
KalshiHouston at Portland
KalshiVillanova at Providence
KalshiSan Antonio at Minnesota
KalshiCharlotte at Los Angeles C
KalshiVirginia at Louisville
KalshiGeorgetown at Creighton
KalshiMilwaukee at Denver
KalshiIndiana at Charlotte
KalshiChicago at Houston
KalshiCleveland at Minnesota
KalshiPhiladelphia at Toronto
KalshiBoston at Indiana
KalshiHouston at Pittsburgh: Total Points
KalshiIowa St. at Kansas
KalshiAtlanta at Los Angeles L: Total Points
KalshiFed decision in January?
PolymarketFed decision in December?
PolymarketNew York City Mayoral Election
PolymarketWill Zelenskyy wear a suit before July?
PolymarketFed decision in October?
PolymarketNext president of South Korea?
PolymarketFed decision in September?
Polymarket(Old) Romania Election
PolymarketIreland Presidential Election
PolymarketWho will Trump nominate as Fed Chair?
PolymarketWhat price will Bitcoin hit in 2025?
PolymarketFed decision in July?
PolymarketRomania Presidential Election Winner
PolymarketRomania: Bucharest Mayoral Election
PolymarketNBA Champion
PolymarketDemocratic Presidential Nominee 2028
PolymarketWill Trump release Epstein files by...?
PolymarketFed decision in June?
PolymarketLighter market cap (FDV) one day after launch?
PolymarketNext Prime Minister of Canada after the election?
PolymarketWho will die in Stranger Things: Season 5?
PolymarketTop Spotify Artist 2025
PolymarketUS x Venezuela military engagement by...?
PolymarketPoland Presidential Election
PolymarketChile Presidential Election
PolymarketFed decision in May?
Polymarket2026 NBA Champion
PolymarketJake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua
PolymarketEurovision Winner 2025
PolymarketMegaETH public sale total commitments?
PolymarketPhiladelphia at Washington
KalshiBaltimore at Pittsburgh
KalshiOle Miss at Georgia
KalshiLos Angeles R at Seattle
KalshiJake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua
KalshiNew England at Baltimore
KalshiLos Angeles R at Atlanta
KalshiOregon at Texas Tech
KalshiMinnesota vs Denver
KalshiChicago at San Francisco
KalshiMiami (FL) at Texas A&M
KalshiGreen Bay at Chicago
KalshiDenver at Kansas City
KalshiHouston vs Denver
KalshiAlabama at Oklahoma
KalshiIowa at Vanderbilt
KalshiMiami (FL) at Ohio St.
KalshiPittsburgh at East Carolina
KalshiSan Antonio vs Oklahoma City
KalshiLSU at Houston
KalshiUSC at TCU
KalshiHouston at Pittsburgh
KalshiPhiladelphia at Buffalo
KalshiTulane at Ole Miss
KalshiDenver vs Philadelphia
KalshiLos Angeles C at New England
KalshiPittsburgh at Detroit
KalshiMiami (FL) at Ole Miss
KalshiPenn St. at Clemson
KalshiGolden State vs Los Angeles C
KalshiCategory Breakdown
Compare volume and activity across platforms by category
Kalshi Categories
| Category | Markets | Volume | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics | 4,255 | $723.3K | -11.9% |
| Sports | 475,576 | $3.5M | -3.9% |
| Crypto | 925 | $110.0K | -0.1% |
| Economics | 1,807 | $527.4K | -0.7% |
| Financials | 373 | $184.4K | -25.5% |
| Tech & Science | 233 | $41.0K | -2.2% |
| Culture | 3,499 | $365.4K | -1% |
| Climate | 185 | $27.1K | -5.1% |
| Misc | 9,091 | $8.8M | -5% |
| World | 3,114 | $7.4K | -3.1% |
Polymarket Categories
| Category | Markets | Volume | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics | 3,803 | $60.2M | +19.4% |
| Sports | 11,152 | $23.9M | +15.4% |
| Crypto | 1,530 | $11.4M | -5.3% |
| Economics | 657 | $26.8M | -22.3% |
| Finance | 1,277 | $1.4M | +6.9% |
| Tech | 527 | $6.9M | -17.2% |
| Culture | 1,681 | $1.5M | -5.9% |
| Weather | 211 | $317.8K | -47.1% |
| Misc | 4,862 | $323.0K | +47.8% |
| Mentions | 30 | $6.1K | +9.1% |
Kalshi Categories
| Category | Markets | Volume | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics | 2,088 | $5.4M | -28.3% |
| Sports | 8,885 | $216.2M | -64.4% |
| Crypto | 1,596 | $18.2M | -16.1% |
| Economics | 777 | $3.4M | -22.9% |
| Financials | 382 | $710.8K | -75.7% |
| Tech & Science | 200 | $194.0K | -77.2% |
| Culture | 2,097 | $3.1M | -29.6% |
| Climate | 395 | $1.4M | -91.5% |
| Misc | 6,228 | $203.4M | -41.5% |
| World | 62 | $42.8K | -50.4% |
Polymarket Categories
| Category | Markets | Volume | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics | 2,802 | $273.1M | +8.5% |
| Sports | 10,660 | $585.8M | +10% |
| Crypto | 3,135 | $258.9M | +3.7% |
| Economics | 722 | $201.5M | +98.8% |
| Finance | 1,473 | $14.7M | +2.1% |
| Tech | 604 | $62.3M | +3.1% |
| Culture | 1,424 | $18.5M | -83.7% |
| Weather | 599 | $9.2M | +28.8% |
| Misc | 3,887 | $117.6M | +1967.2% |
| Mentions | 42 | $810.3K | +685.5% |
Kalshi Categories
| Category | Markets | Volume | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics | 5,168 | $27.8M | -39.6% |
| Sports | 309,178 | $3.1B | -48.7% |
| Crypto | 13,722 | $85.2M | -41.5% |
| Economics | 1,711 | $15.3M | -53.8% |
| Financials | 1,562 | $6.8M | -33.1% |
| Tech & Science | 436 | $4.2M | -89.5% |
| Culture | 4,115 | $14.3M | -61% |
| Climate | 1,618 | $23.3M | +21.1% |
| Misc | 38,299 | $881.1M | +561.9% |
| World | 8,689 | $11.1M | -43% |
Polymarket Categories
| Category | Markets | Volume | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics | 4,888 | $948.0M | +42.8% |
| Sports | 24,885 | $1.9B | +115.2% |
| Crypto | 9,380 | $1.0B | +133.5% |
| Economics | 1,076 | $429.7M | +24.1% |
| Finance | 3,271 | $83.1M | +4.9% |
| Tech | 1,315 | $241.7M | -2% |
| Culture | 2,547 | $180.2M | +1.4% |
| Weather | 1,913 | $25.0M | +42.4% |
| Misc | 6,204 | $132.9M | +5487% |
| Mentions | 81 | $1.4M | -93.8% |
Latest news making headlines
- Jan. 12: Prediction markets generate $5.23 billion in weekly notional volume, with both Kalshi and Polymarket setting new weekly highs.
- Jan. 12: New York lawmakers reintroduce a bill (AB A9251) that aims to restrict certain kinds of prediction markets.
- Jan. 9: Polymarket becomes the exclusive prediction market partner of the Golden Globes through a newly-announced partnership.
- Jan. 8: Gemini adds sports markets to its Gemini Predictions app, just in time for the start of the NFL playoffs.
- Jan. 8: The New York Rangers and Polymarket announce an agreement that makes Polymarket the official prediction market partner of the storied NHL franchise. The NHL is the first major U.S. sports league to officially partner with prediction market brands.
- Jan. 7: The Polymarket “Will the U.S. invade Venezuela by Dec. 31” prediction market settles as “No,” and that decision sparks controversy on a market that generated more than $10.5 million in volume.
- Jan. 7: Dow Jones and Polymarket announce a partnership that will bring Polymarket’s real-time prediction market data to media properties like The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Barron’s, and Investor’s Business Daily.
- Jan. 6: Polymarket introduces taker-only fees on 15-minute crypto up/down markets.
- Jan. 6: Google officially categorizes prediction markets as finance, which will allow regulated prediction market apps to run Google Ads beginning Jan. 21.
- Jan. 5: New York Representative Ritchie Torres will introduce the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026, a piece of legislation that would prohibit federal elected officials, political appointees, and Executive Branch employees from trading prediction market contracts under certain conditions.
- Jan. 5: Polymarket and Parci announce a partnership to launch a suite of real estate prediction markets.
- Jan. 5: Prediction markets record $5.3 billion in volume for the last full week of 2025, including all-time high volumes from Kalshi and Polymarket.
- Dec. 31: Solflare launches native prediction market trading, sourcing liquidity from Kalshi. The move marks the first time prediction markets have been available through a self-custodial wallet.
- Dec. 30: Rocket, a startup crypto app for “redistribution markets,” secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding.
- Dec. 22: FanDuel officially launched its first prediction markets product, called FanDuel Predicts, in five states.
- Dec. 22: Coinbase acquired The Clearing Company, a prediction markets infrastructure startup.
- Dec. 19: DraftKings officially launched the new DraftKings Predictions App, just in time for playoff season to hit. The app is available in 38 states. Additionally, Coinbase shared the company has filed lawsuits in three states, joining Kalshi’s fight.
- Dec. 17: Robinhood announced the launch of ‘combos’ markets, parlay-style predictions that will allow users to “trade and hedge pretty much anything,” according to Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev.
- Dec. 16: Gemini crypto exchange added prediction markets to its platform.
- Dec. 11 – Coinbase confirmed plans to launch prediction markets and tokenized equities on Dec. 17.
- Dec. 11 – Kalshi, Crypto.com, Robinhood, Coinbase and Underdog joined forces to launch the Coalition for Prediction Markets. The new trade group aims to defend federal regulation through the CFTC.
- Dec. 10 – Bloomberg reports that Matchbook will launch a prediction market platform in the UK in January and in the U.S. in March.
- Dec. 9 – Gondor raised $2.5 million in pre-seed funding for its DeFi project, which aims to offer lending and leverage trading for on-chain prediction markets.
- Dec. 6: MetaMask launched prediction markets in an exclusive partnership with Polymarket.
- Dec. 5: DraftKings secured introducing broker (IB) approval from the National Futures Association and CFTC, clearing a key regulatory hurdle ahead of its DraftKings Predictions launch.
- Dec. 1: Kalshi-powered tokenized prediction markets go live on Solana.
- Nov. 25: Polymarket secures an amended CFTC order of designation, clearing the way for its platform to formally reopen in the U.S. as a fully regulated prediction-market exchange with intermediated access via brokerages and FCMs.
- Nov. 18: Coinbase is building a prediction-market app integrated with Kalshi; Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin told CNBC their product will launch “in the next couple of weeks” in partnership with Crypto.com; and DraftKings and FanDuel have withdrawn from the AGA, underscoring their conviction about where the market is headed.
- Nov. 12: Per a press release, FanDuel Predicts will launch in December, with sports event contracts available in states that do not have regulated sports betting.
- Nov. 6 Google partners with Kalshi and Polymarket to show current probabilities and change in real-time.
- Nov. 4: Crypto.com announced a partnership with Hollywood.com to launch an entertainment-based prediction market that will facilitate trades related to films, TV shows, music, awards shows, Broadway shows and more.
Full list of prediction markets January 2026
The number of prediction apps coming to market continues to grow by the week. Here is the latest list, which is updated as news breaks.
| Prediction Markets | US Trading | Sports Offered | CFTC Approval | Partner | Launch Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | Yes | Yes | DCM + DCO approved | Operates it’s own exchange | Public launch Jul 2021. Sports grew after court win Oct 2, 2024; CFTC dropped appeal May 2025 |
| Polymarket | No (Launching soon) | Yes | No (operates under DFS-style state framework; not CFTC-regulated) | QCEX (CFTC-licensed DCM/DCO) acquired to enable US entry | QCEX deal Jul 21, 2025 (US re-entry plan announced) |
| Robinhood | Yes | Yes | Kalshi (exchange connectivity) | Launched Mar 2025; expanding listings Oct 2025 | |
| Predictit | Yes | No | NAL 14-130 (not DCM; restricted) | Operates it’s own exchange | Operates since 2014 (NAL 14-130); litigation resolved Jul 2025 |
| Crypto.com | Yes | Yes | Operates it’s own exchange | Sports launch on December 23, 2024. First event-contract self-certs Jan 30, 2025; additional cert Aug 29, 2025 | |
| Interactive Brokers | Yes | No | IBKR owns ForecastEx DCM/DCO | Jul 8, 2024 | |
| Myriad Markets | No | Yes | Unregulated (crypto-based) | Operates it’s own exchange | Mar 6, 2025 |
| DraftKings Predictions | Yes (Launching soon) | Not at Launch | IB approval from the National Futures Association and CFTC | Railbird technology (acquired) | Cleared CFTC hurdle on Dec. 5. |
| FanDuel | Yes (Launching in December) | Yes (In states without legal sports betting) | CME Group | Partnership announced Aug 20, 2025; launch targeted for December 2025 | |
| Fanatics | Yes | Yes | No (operates via Crypto.com DCM partner) | Crypto.com Derivatives North America | On Thursday, November 20, 2025, CEO Michael Rubin said on CNBC that the company will launch “in the next couple of weeks.” |
| Aristotle | No (Launch planned for October 2025) | Not at launch (politics & macro first) | DCM approved (Sept 2025) | Operates its own exchange & clearinghouse | CFTC approved Aristotle Exchange as a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization on Sep 5, 2025; PredictIt-powered exchange expected to open for trading in October 2025 |
| RSBIX | No (DCM application pending) | Planned (sports event contracts focus) | DCM application pending | Matchbook | Filed for CFTC Designated Contract Market status on Sep 16, 2025; previously partnered with ErisX for RSBIX NFL futures (2020–2021); application still pending as of Nov 2025 |
| PrizePicks | Yes (via Kalshi in 38 states + D.C.) | Yes (sports + culture prediction contracts) | Kalshi (multi‑year partnership) | Prediction‑markets offering launched in 2025 through Kalshi’s designated contract market; available in 38 states + D.C. | |
| Coinbase | Planned (prediction markets announced, not yet launched) | Not yet specified | Planned (no DCM approval) | Operates its own exchange & custody | Coinbase announced plans to offer prediction markets as part of upcoming ‘everything exchange’; rollout pending. |
| TruthPredict | Planned (announced via Truth Social integration) | Planned (sports, politics, finance) | No (operates via CDNA partner) | Crypto.com Derivatives North America + Truth Social | TruthPredict announced as a prediction‑market product integrated into Truth Social; launch date pending. |
| Hollywood.com | Planned (entertainment prediction markets) | No (entertainment only) | No (operates via Crypto.com DCM partner) | Crypto.com Derivatives North America | Announced Nov 3 2025: Hollywood.com + Crypto.com launching entertainment prediction markets (movies, TV, music, Broadway). |
| MyPrize | Yes (prediction markets via Crypto.com partnership) | Yes (sports, crypto, politics, creator events) | No (operates via Crypto.com DCM partner) | Crypto.com Derivatives North America | Announced Nov 4 2025: MyPrize Markets launching for 1M+ users with sports, crypto, politics and cultural event contracts. |
| Gemini | Planned (applied to CFTC for prediction market derivatives) | Not yet specified | DCM application submitted (pending) | Operates its own exchange | Nov 5 2025: Gemini preparing to offer prediction market contracts; regulatory approval pending. |
| ProphetX | No (historical; platform shut down) | Yes (sports predictions when active) | No (historical / inactive) | ProphetX was an experimental sports prediction market (2018 era). No active offering as of 2025. |
How event contracts and peer-to-peer betting works
Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket provide diverse market options for traders to choose from, such as:
- What will the fed funds rate be in January?
- Who will be the Democratic nominee in 2028?
- Which team will win the pro football championship?
- Who will Trump nominate for Fed Chair?
The pricing of contracts can be viewed as the market’s collective “best guess” on the likelihood of an event outcome. For example, if a contract is priced at $0.80 on the yes side and $0.20 for no, we can interpret that as an 80% chance of the outcome occurring versus a 20% likelihood of it not happening.
More: How prediction markets work
Most popular markets
You can trade on a wide range of real-world events on prediction market platforms. Contracts are available on outcomes in a variety of markets, including:
- Sports: Game results, championships, build combo trades
- Politics: Elections, candidate nominations, legislative outcomes
- Economics: Central bank rates, inflation, indicators
- Crypto: Cryptocurrency prices, market events
- Culture: Award shows, celebrity news, viral trends
- Climate: Temperature records, storm predictions
- Companies & Financials: Corporate achievements, stock market trends, index prices
- Tech & Science: Tech adoption milestones, scientific breakthroughs
- Health & World: Health and wellness issues, global news, and developments
- Mentions: Predictions on words and phrases used by public figures
In terms of overall coverage, Kalshi and Polymarket provide the broadest range of options. Crypto.com is currently limited to sports, PredictIt focuses on politics, while other niche platforms have yet to capture a good deal of mainstream attention. Some platforms allow users to propose new markets, while others curate their offerings centrally.
In terms of overall usage, Polymarket leads in global web traffic, while Kalshi is tops among US-regulated options. Beyond the trading aspect, prediction markets are often cited for their forecast accuracy. The platforms essentially aggregate the opinions of traders, offering a “wisdom of the crowds’ look at the probability of an event or outcome happening.
How does pricing work on contracts?
Prediction market contracts are binary options that pay out a fixed amount. It’s typically set at $1 if the event occurs, and $0 if it does not. Before the contract settles, prices will fluctuate between those ranges as traders enter and exit positions.
When viewing a contract offering on a prediction market platform, the pricing reflects the market’s collective estimate of the probability that the event will happen. Consider the following example:
- Contract: “Will the Fed raise interest rates in May?”
- Pricing: $0.70 for “Yes” and $0.32 for “No.”
- Implication: The market implies a 70% chance of a rate hike and a 32% chance it won’t happen.
As you’ll notice, the pricing doesn’t exactly equal $1, while the implied probability is greater than 100%. Small differences such as these are common and often reflect the spread between bid and ask pricing or trading fees. Markets with higher liquidity tend to have more stable prices and tighter spreads, while wider price swings can happen in less active contracts.
While contracts remain open, prices will continue to move as traders react to new information and shifting sentiment, providing a real-time snapshot of the overall market sentiment. At settlement, the resolution for a correct contract call is $1, while the other side will drop to $0.
Kalshi vs. Polymarket fee comparison
Trading on prediction market platforms comes with a range of fees and costs that can impact your overall returns. The table below has a breakdown of the main fees you’ll encounter on Kalshi and Polymarket.
| Fee Type | Kalshi | Polymarket |
| Trading Fee | $0.07–$1.74 per 100 contracts (varies by contract price; see example) | No trading fee |
| Profit/Settlement | None | None |
| Deposit Fee | ACH free; Debit card 2% | None (USDC only) |
| Withdrawal Fee | ACH free; Debit card $2 | 1.5% on USDC withdrawals |
Kalshi’s trading fee is variable and depends on the contract price. For 100 contracts, it can be as low as $0.07 and up to $1.74. There are no settlement fees to worry about. Meanwhile, Polymarket does not charge any trading or settlement fees.
To illustrate the difference, assume that you’re buying 100 contracts at $0.55 on either platform. At Kalshi, this price point triggers the maximum fee for 100 contracts of $1.74, while Polymarket charges $0. You’d be in for a total of $56.74 at the former, and $55 at the latter.
If you make the right call, the contract settles at $1 in both spots. At Kalshi, you’ll get back $100, less your fee of $1.74, for a total of $98.26. Polymarket will return an even $100 since there are no fees attached.
Beyond trading and settlement, be sure to consider the deposit and withdrawal fees that are outlined above. Traders should also be aware of potential “hidden costs” like bid-ask spreads, and the potential challenges of exiting positions in less liquid markets.
Profit potential for betting on predictions
Prediction markets offer opportunities for traders to profit by buying and selling contracts. In its simplest form, the goal is to make the correct calls so your contracts settle at full value. Traders can also aim to “buy low and sell high.”
Strategies for doing just that include looking for mispriced outcomes and acting before the rest of the market catches on. While the potential for returns is real, profits aren’t guaranteed. Market efficiency, liquidity, and timing all play a big role in shaping your results.
How much can you make by buying a low-priced contract?
Buying low-priced contracts can be enticing due to the potential for big returns. Naturally, there’s plenty of risk here. The contract is priced low for a reason, namely that the chances of that outcome happening aren’t great.
Let’s consider the following fictitious example for an NBA Playoff game in which there’s a clear favorite to win, at least as far as the market is concerned.
- Underdog contract price: $0.10 (10% chance)
- Quantity: You buy 100 contracts for a total of $10.
- Kalshi trading fee: $0.63 (for 100 contracts at this price point)
- Total upfront cost: $10 + $0.63 = $10.63
- Outcome: Underdog wins; contracts settle at $1 each
- Payout: 100 × $1 = $100
- Net profit: $100 – $10.63 = $89.37
In this case, a small investment yields a large return if the prediction is correct. Seeking out low-priced contracts with realistic profit potential can be part of a well-rounded trading approach, but remember to account for the increased risks of trading less-likely outcomes.
What happens if you sell your contract before the event?
Prediction markets aren’t just about holding contracts to settlement. You can also sell your position before the event concludes if the odds move in your favor. This is especially common in political markets, where news cycles and polling shifts can cause prices to swing rapidly.
Consider the following as an example: “Will Candidate X win the election?”
- Polymarket contract price: $0.45 (45% chance)..
- Quantity: You buy 50 contracts for a total of $22.50.
- New developments and polling substantially boosts Candidate X’s chances.
- The contract price rises to $0.70.
- You decide to sell all 50 contracts at $0.70 each for a total of $35
- Polymarket trading fee: $0 (no trading fee; only a withdrawal fee applies if you cash out)
- Net profit: $35 – $22.50 = $12.50
- If you withdraw your USDC, a 1.5% withdrawal fee applies: $35 × 0.015 = $0.53
By selling before the event, you lock in your gains and avoid the uncertainty of the final outcome. This approach can be especially useful when you think the market has overreacted or you want to cash out and take your profit after a favorable news development.
Can you profit by betting ‘No’ on an event?
Prediction markets also allow you to profit by betting against an outcome happening. This is where you would buy the “No” side of the equation when you anticipate that the contract will ultimately resolve to that end result.
Consider the following example: “Will U.S. inflation exceed 4% this quarter?”
- Kalshi “No” contract price: $0.60 (60% chance).
- Quantity: You buy 75 contracts for a total of $45.
- Kalshi trading fee: $1.50 (at $0.02 per contract for this price point)
- Total upfront cost: $45 + $1.50 = $46.50
- If inflation comes in below 4%, each contract settles at $1
- Payout: 75 × $1 = $75
- Net profit: $75 – $46.50 = $28.50
Taking the “No” side can be a valuable strategy when you believe the market is overestimating the likelihood of an event. Regardless of which outcome you choose, stick to your comfort level for both contract pricing and the total amount of your trades.
Understanding the math of prediction market contracts
Prediction market contract pricing is generally straightforward. You can view an available market and quickly determine the implied probability of an event happening, at least as far as the overall market sentiment is concerned.
That said, the actual trading of contracts takes a little more doing on the calculation front. You can use the below formulas and examples as a cheat sheet to help gain even more of a comfort level with prediction market trading.
How to calculate the number of contracts you can buy
Formula: Number of Contracts = (Available Capital) ÷ (Contract Price + Fees)
Example:
- You want to trade $50.
- Each contract you’re interested in costs $0.25.
- Kalshi fee: $0.02 per contract at this price point.
- Calculation: $50 ÷ ($0.25 + $0.02) ≈ 192 contracts
Estimating potential profit and loss
Formula: Profit = (Sell Price – Buy Price) × Number of Contracts – Fees
Example:
- You buy 100 contracts at $0.30 and sell at $0.60.
- Profit = ($0.60 – $0.30) × 100 = $30
- Kalshi fee: $1.68 (for 100 contracts at $0.60)
- Net profit = $30 – $1.68 = $28.32
Finding your break-even price
Formula: Break-even Price = (Buy Price + Total Fees) ÷ Number of Contracts
Example:
- You buy 50 contracts at $0.40, for a total of $20.
- Total fees if you sold at the same price: $1 ($0.02 per contract).
- Break-even = ($20 + $1) ÷ 50 = $0.42 per contract
- You need to sell above $0.42 to make a profit.
By taking the time to understand these quick calculations, you could spot appealing opportunities that much quicker. As an added benefit, you’ll be better equipped to manage risk and make more informed trades.
Risks to consider when trading in prediction markets
Trading in prediction markets can be entertaining and potentially profitable, but it’s not devoid of risk. Understanding the potential pitfalls can help you mitigate unnecessary mistakes and ultimately make more informed decisions. Key risks to consider include:
- Unexpected outcomes: There’s always the potential for a complete loss of your stake, even when the odds seem overwhelmingly in your favor.
- Low liquidity: Certain markets attract a limited amount of volume, which can make it difficult to buy or sell contracts at fair prices.
- Platform issues: While top platforms tend to operate without lengthy interruptions, there are simply no guarantees when it comes to security or technical glitches.
- Regulatory environment: Prediction markets are soaring in popularity and readily accessible, but are also subject to developments from ongoing legal challenges.
- Distorted prices: Biases, groupthink, manipulation, and misinformation could all impact contract pricing in both high- and low-volume markets.
If you trade in prediction markets, there is risk. However, you can take steps to help manage it better. At the top of the list, you should only trade with money that you can afford to lose. Nothing is guaranteed with trading, no matter what the odds may suggest.
Next, stay informed about what’s happening. Knowing what’s going on with the regulatory front can help you make better decisions on where to park your funds. Lastly, stick to what you know and don’t blindly chase volume. After all, the herd isn’t always correct.
