Polymarket Rolls out US iOS App after Months-Long Wait

Prediction market platform Polymarket has officially opened up its US exchange to iOS users without requiring invitation codes after a long rollout period. It is a big step in the company’s return to the American market after regulatory setbacks and operational delays.

Polymarket Expands US Access Following Regulatory Comeback

Apple users who download the app are now taken directly to a trading interface with live markets, especially for sporting events. It previously took a code and a waiting list of more than six months to gain access. The new onboarding process removes those barriers and makes it easier for new participants to join, as reported by Covers. 

Polymarket’s US return comes after it gained regulatory footing through its acquisition of QCEX, a platform licensed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This move basically allowed Polymarket to return to its home turf after being penalized in 2022 for providing contracts that were not compliant with regulatory standards. The company agreed at the time to pay a fine and restrict US access. 

Although the relaunch had been anticipated much earlier, progress was slower than expected. Reports said there were internal issues, including leadership questions and operational problems with the QCEX integration. Despite these hurdles, the company has gradually expanded access, starting with limited trading activity late last year. 

Polymarket Gains Ground but Still Trails Market Leader Kalshi

The phased rollout has brought considerable growth in trading volumes. Activity was initially modest but increased significantly during major sports events. In the NCAA basketball tournament and the Masters golf event, trading volumes soared into the tens of millions of dollars, signaling strong user interest ahead of full access.

Since then, Polymarket has grown into one of the biggest regulated prediction platforms in the US, outpacing rivals like Crypto.com. However, it still trails market leader Kalshi, which has a commanding share of domestic trading volume.

The wider prediction market space is still gaining traction in the US. Surveys show an increasing share of Americans are betting on event-based contracts, especially in sports, which is bringing the segment closer to mainstream betting activity. Currently, Polymarket is only available for iOS, with no set date for a version for Android or for access via the web. In any event, the elimination of the waitlist should fuel further growth, as the platform will be opening its doors to a broader audience.