How do you bet on Polymarket in the US?

Q: How do you bet on Polymarket in the US?

In the US, you use Polymarket US, the company's CFTC-regulated app for American users. Sign up (18+ under its terms), verify your identity, and deposit by debit card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, wire or USDC, with a $10 minimum on most methods. Buy Yes or No on any market. A winning contract pays $1. Sell any time before settlement to cash out early, and withdraw from the app when you're done.

Bet Types

2 diagrams•7 min read•Updated Oct 15, 2026

Written by VIMB

Short answer

US users trade on the Polymarket US app, not the global site.18+ under its terms, ID check required.$10 minimum deposit on most methods.Sell your contracts to cash out early.

Polymarket started as a global crypto site. US users now trade through Polymarket US, a separate app regulated by the CFTC. The contracts work the same way as every prediction market: Yes or No, priced in cents, paying $1 if you're right.

Step 1: Get the right app

Download Polymarket US. The global Polymarket site isn't for US users. The app checks your location, and what you can trade depends on your state.

1Create your account. Polymarket US's terms set the minimum age at 18.

2Verify your identity with your legal name, address and ID.

3Wait for approval before you deposit. It's usually quick.

Step 3: Deposit

▸Debit card

▸Bank transfer

▸Apple Pay

▸Wire

▸USDC (crypto)

Most methods start at $10. Polymarket says it doesn't charge deposit or withdrawal fees, but a payment provider can add its own, so check the screen before you confirm.

Step 4: Buy your first contract

A price is a probabilityTwo sides of the same $1 contract.

↔ swipe to see the whole diagram

1Open a game and pick Yes or No.

2Enter how much you want to spend or how many contracts.

3Check the price, the fee and the total before you confirm.

4Use a limit order if the gap between buyers and sellers is wide.

Both endings of the same tradeWin and you make $18.17. Lose and you're out $31.83.

↔ swipe to see the whole diagram

This example uses Kalshi's fee to keep the math concrete. Polymarket US shows its own fee on the order screen, so your number may differ.

Step 5: Sell early or hold

Your contracts trade all game long. If the price moves your way, sell to the best bid and lock in the profit. If you hold, the contract settles at $1 or $0.

Step 6: Withdraw

Go to your balance and choose withdraw. Money tied up in open positions can't be withdrawn until you sell or the market settles.

My take

Before your first trade, check the same game on another app. Prediction markets are like sportsbooks in one way: the price isn't the same everywhere, and the better number is free money.