U.S. Prediction Markets Launch Approved by CFTC for Polymarket, Three Years After Their Departure

In a significant development for the prediction market industry, Polymarket, the world's largest prediction platform, has secured approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to operate in the United States. This approval marks the return of Polymarket to the market after a three-year absence.

The comeback of Polymarket was preceded by a series of strategic moves. Last week, the platform announced the acquisition of CFTC-cleansed derivatives exchange QCEX for $12 million. This acquisition, it seems, paved the way for Polymarket's approval. QCEX, a derivatives exchange, has been previously cleared by the CFTC, making it an ideal partner for Polymarket's US expansion.

Meanwhile, Underdog, a daily fantasy sports operator, also made headlines this week with its partnership with Crypto.com. The partnership will see the integration of prediction markets directly into Underdog's app, further expanding the reach of prediction markets in the sports industry.

Leading sportsbook brands like DraftKings and FanDuel are closely monitoring this ever-changing landscape. As prediction markets gain traction, these brands are likely to consider similar moves to stay competitive.

Interestingly, another player in the prediction market space, Chainlink, partnered with Polymarket in early September 2025. Like Polymarket, Chainlink also plans to integrate prediction markets directly into its app.

However, it's not all smooth sailing for prediction market platforms. Polymarket, for instance, had to exit the market over three years ago due to action from the CFTC. Now, with the approval in hand, Polymarket will allow people to trade contracts on various events on its site, including sports, politics, and entertainment.

With the return of Polymarket and the continued growth of other prediction market platforms, the future of this industry looks promising. As more platforms enter the market and existing ones expand, we can expect to see a wider variety of events and markets available for trading.