Kalshi vs Polymarket - 2026 Comparison

Overview

Prediction markets exploded in 2026. Combined monthly volume across Kalshi and Polymarket now exceeds $21 billion according to TRM Labs tracking. Kalshi operates as a CFTC-regulated Designated Contract Market based in the United States. Polymarket operates offshore on the Polygon blockchain and, as of early 2026, received a no-action letter from the CFTC clearing a path for a US re-entry after years of restriction. Both hit all-time monthly highs in March 2026: Kalshi at $12.35B and Polymarket at $10.15B.

Welcome Bonus Head-to-Head

Neither platform runs traditional welcome bonuses — these are exchanges, not sportsbooks. Kalshi occasionally offers deposit match promos up to $100 via CFTC-compliant promotional credits. Polymarket has offered airdrops and fee rebates tied to on-chain activity.

Product Depth

Kalshi offers sports event contracts (since January 2025), politics, economics, weather, culture, and macro financial markets. It has become the dominant US sports prediction venue, doing roughly 2.5x Polymarket's sports volume according to pm.wiki tracking. Polymarket dominates politics and crypto-native markets where its global user base has a structural advantage, and it runs deeper international and long-tail cultural markets.

Pricing / Economics

Both platforms operate as order-book exchanges with contracts priced between $0.01 and $0.99, settling at $1 or $0 at resolution. Kalshi charges a trading fee of roughly 1-7% of potential profit per trade depending on contract. Polymarket historically charged zero trading fees and only paid Polygon network gas, though fee structures are evolving with the US re-entry.

Legal Status — The Critical Asymmetry

Kalshi is the only CFTC-regulated event contract exchange legal for US residents in most states as of 2026. Federal courts have ruled that states cannot regulate Kalshi's federally-sanctioned contracts, though lawsuits continue in several jurisdictions. Polymarket remained banned for US residents from 2022 through early 2026; the January 2026 no-action letter began a phased US reopening, but current state availability still needs to be confirmed before depositing.

App + UX

Kalshi has a full native iOS and Android app plus web. Polymarket is primarily web-based with wallet connection via MetaMask or embedded wallets, reflecting its crypto-native roots.

Loyalty / VIP

Neither runs traditional VIP programs. Kalshi offers fee rebates to market makers and high-volume traders. Polymarket has historically rewarded liquidity providers via token incentives.

Who Should Pick Kalshi

US residents who want a legal, regulated, dollar-denominated prediction market with tax reporting, FDIC-insured deposits at the clearing bank, and consumer protection.

Who Should Pick Polymarket

Crypto-native players outside the US, or US residents in states where its reopened status is confirmed, who want the deepest politics and international markets.

The Verdict

For US residents, Kalshi is the default answer. It is the only prediction market with clear CFTC regulatory standing, US banking rails, and consumer recourse. Polymarket has better international and politics depth but its US legal status remains in flux — verify before trading.