Can Americans Use Polymarket? Complete US Guide (2025)
PolyTrack Team
PolyTrack
If you're in the United States, you cannot trade on Polymarket. Following a 2022 CFTC settlement, Polymarket blocks all US-based users. This guide explains why, what the restrictions mean, and what legal alternatives exist for American traders.
Current Status for US Users
Polymarket is blocked for all US persons. Using a VPN violates their Terms of Service and may result in account termination and loss of funds.
Why Polymarket Blocked US Users
In January 2022, Polymarket settled with the CFTC for $1.4 million. The settlement required:
- Cease offering event contracts to US persons
- Implement geo-blocking technology
- Wind down existing US user positions
- Establish compliance controls
The CFTC classified Polymarket's binary options as derivatives requiring registration, which Polymarket didn't have.
What US Users CAN Do
Allowed
- • Browse markets and view odds
- • Read market descriptions
- • View charts and historical data
- • Access educational content
Blocked
- • Creating accounts
- • Depositing funds
- • Placing trades
- • Withdrawing (for old accounts)
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Can You Use a VPN?
Don't. Using a VPN to bypass Polymarket's geo-restrictions:
- Violates Polymarket's Terms of Service
- Can result in account termination
- May lead to frozen or forfeited funds
- Offers no legal recourse if something goes wrong
Legal alternatives exist. Using them is far safer than risking your funds on a prohibited platform.
Legal Alternatives for US Traders
Kalshi (Recommended)
The only CFTC-regulated prediction market exchange in the US:
- Fully legal for US residents
- USD deposits via bank transfer
- Politics, economics, weather markets
- 1-7% fee on profits
- Robinhood integration available
See our Polymarket vs Kalshi comparison.
PredictIt
Political markets under CFTC no-action letter:
- Legal for US users
- Political markets only
- $850 max per market
- 5% + 10% fees
Metaculus
Free forecasting platform (no real money):
- Completely free and legal
- Build forecasting track record
- No financial risk
Will Polymarket Return to the US?
Possible paths to US re-entry:
- Polymarket could seek CFTC registration (like Kalshi)
- Create a separate regulated US entity
- Wait for regulatory changes or new legislation
Realistic timeline: Don't expect US access soon. Focus on legal alternatives for now.
Track Polymarket Insights
Even without trading access, you can still follow Polymarket odds and whale activity through PolyTrack. Use our insights to inform your trades on legal platforms.
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