Polymarket Secures CFTC Approval for Regulated U.S. Return After Three-Year Hiatus

Polymarket, the world's largest prediction market, has received an Amended Order of Designation from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), paving the way for its regulated return to the U.S. market. This approval, announced on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, allows U.S. users to trade Polymarket contracts through futures commission merchants (FCMs) and traditional brokerage channels, integrating the platform into federally regulated exchange structures. The move ends a nearly three-year restriction on Polymarket's operations within the United States.

The CFTC's decision permits Polymarket to operate an intermediated trading platform, subjecting it to the full regulatory requirements applicable to U.S. exchanges. "People rely on Polymarket because we provide clarity where there is confusion and accountability where there is ambiguity," stated Shayne Coplan, Founder and CEO of Polymarket, in a press release. He added that this approval reflects the maturity and transparency demanded by the U.S. regulatory framework, expressing gratitude for the constructive engagement with the CFTC.

This regulatory clearance follows Polymarket's exit from the U.S. market in 2022, when the CFTC ordered Blockratize, operating as Polymarket, to cease operations and pay a $1.4 million penalty for running an unregistered trading venue. The platform's return has been facilitated by its earlier acquisition of QCX, a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, providing the necessary framework for legal operation. Polymarket has developed enhanced surveillance systems, market supervision policies, clearing procedures, and Part 16 regulatory reporting capabilities as part of the amended order.

The re-entry of Polymarket coincides with a significant boom in event trading, with various fintech platforms and sports gambling entities vying for market share. Polymarket has recently seen partnerships with major entities like X, Google, the NHL, and the UFC, contributing to record trading volumes, including over $1 billion in a single week last month. The company remains subject to all provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act and applicable CFTC regulations governing Designated Contract Markets, including self-regulatory obligations, and will implement additional rules prior to its official launch.