Is Polymarket available in the US?

No. Polymarket is not available to US persons. It operates globally and settles in USDC. US-based traders typically use a CFTC-regulated alternative such as Kalshi.

Does Polymarket charge fees?

Polymarket does not charge a trading fee, but because it settles on-chain you pay network gas costs for transactions. Factor those into small trades.

How do I fund a Polymarket account?

You fund a self-custody crypto wallet with USDC and bridge it to the network Polymarket uses, then trade from your wallet. No bank deposit option exists.

Can I sell a Polymarket position before it resolves?

Yes. Because markets trade continuously, you can sell your contracts at the current price at any time before resolution to lock in a profit or cut a loss — you do not have to hold to settlement.

What is USDC and is it safe?

USDC is a dollar-pegged stablecoin. It is designed to hold a $1 value, but it carries issuer and smart-contract risk that a bank balance does not. Only fund with money you are comfortable holding on-chain.

What is a self-custody wallet?

A self-custody wallet means you hold the private keys, not an exchange. You are solely responsible for security and recovery — there is no support line to reset a lost seed phrase, so back it up carefully.

Prediction markets · 5 min read

Polymarket Beginner’s Guide: Funding, Trading & Risks

Last updated: June 1, 2026

Polymarket is the largest crypto-native prediction market, with the deepest liquidity on news, politics, and crypto questions. This guide covers what to expect as a newcomer.

Note up front: Polymarket settles in USDC on-chain and is not available to US persons. Always confirm eligibility in your jurisdiction before funding an account.

How Polymarket works

Each market is a Yes/No contract that settles at $1 or $0. You buy the side you think is underpriced; if you are right, each contract is worth $1 at resolution.

Prices move as traders buy and sell, so the quote reflects live consensus. Deep markets give tighter spreads and a more trustworthy probability.

Funding with USDC

Polymarket runs on USDC, a dollar-pegged stablecoin. You fund a self-custody wallet, move USDC onto the network Polymarket uses, and trade from there.

There is no trading fee, but on-chain transactions cost gas. Budget for that, and never send more than you can afford to lock up while positions are open.

Risks to understand

Prediction markets are speculative. Beyond being wrong about an outcome, you face crypto-specific risks: wallet security, stablecoin and network risk, and resolution disputes on ambiguous questions.

Not available to US persons — check your jurisdiction.
Self-custody means you are responsible for wallet security.
Read each market’s resolution criteria before trading.
Compare the price against Kalshi and de-vigged sportsbook odds first.

Frequently asked questions

Is Polymarket available in the US?: No. Polymarket is not available to US persons. It operates globally and settles in USDC. US-based traders typically use a CFTC-regulated alternative such as Kalshi.
Does Polymarket charge fees?: Polymarket does not charge a trading fee, but because it settles on-chain you pay network gas costs for transactions. Factor those into small trades.
How do I fund a Polymarket account?: You fund a self-custody crypto wallet with USDC and bridge it to the network Polymarket uses, then trade from your wallet. No bank deposit option exists.
Can I sell a Polymarket position before it resolves?: Yes. Because markets trade continuously, you can sell your contracts at the current price at any time before resolution to lock in a profit or cut a loss — you do not have to hold to settlement.
What is USDC and is it safe?: USDC is a dollar-pegged stablecoin. It is designed to hold a $1 value, but it carries issuer and smart-contract risk that a bank balance does not. Only fund with money you are comfortable holding on-chain.
What is a self-custody wallet?: A self-custody wallet means you hold the private keys, not an exchange. You are solely responsible for security and recovery — there is no support line to reset a lost seed phrase, so back it up carefully.

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Educational content for informational purposes only. Not betting or financial advice. Please gamble responsibly. 21+ where applicable.