Kalshi vs Polymarket
Independent comparison — regulation, liquidity, devices, and bonus. Verified August 7, 2026.
Advertising disclosure: VenicePredictionMarkets is an independent affiliate publisher. We may earn a commission when you sign up for a prediction market platform via links on this page. Compensation never influences our editorial rankings or reviews. Prediction markets involve real financial risk — you must be 21+ and a US resident in an eligible jurisdiction. Read our full disclosure.
| Attribute | Kalshi | Polymarket |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | CFTC Designated Contract Market | US-licensed, CFTC-adjacent |
| Devices | iPhone · Android · Web · all 50 states | iPhone-only in the US |
| Minimum deposit | $1 | $10 (to unlock bonus) |
| Welcome bonus | $25 trading credit (code VENICE) | $50 trading credit on $10 deposit (code VENICE) |
| Age | 21+ | 18+ |
| California eligible | Yes | Yes (iPhone) |
| Politics & news liquidity | Deep US-political coverage | Deepest global books on politics & news |
| Sports liquidity | Broadest US-regulated catalog | Growing, narrower book |
| Weather & macro contracts | Strong (wildfires, CPI, Fed) | Limited |
| Order book transparency | Full depth visible | Full depth visible |
CFTC-regulated, $1 minimum, works on iPhone, Android, and web.
Claim on KalshiDeepest politics & news liquidity. iPhone-only US checkout.
How to claimKalshi vs Polymarket FAQ
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Sources & references
- 1.Commodity Futures Trading Commission — Event Contracts — CFTC.gov
- 2.KalshiEX LLC — DCM Registration — CFTC.gov
- 3.Kalshi wins court battle to offer election contracts — Reuters
- 4.Prediction markets coverage — Wall Street Journal
- 5.Polymarket and the rise of prediction markets — Associated Press
External links open in a new tab. We cite primary regulatory and major news sources where possible. Citations to trusted regulators (CFTC, SEC, IRS, NOAA, .gov, .edu) are dofollow; commercial outbound links are not endorsements.
Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.
18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization.