Polymarket has spent the last few months teasing its big U.S. relaunch like a pop star dropping cryptic Instagram stories about a “new era.” And yet some traders are still waiting to be removed from the waitlist.
But while Polymarket tiptoes back into American legality like it is sneaking home after curfew, the rest of the industry has decided this is the perfect moment to kick the door down. Multiple major players, some crypto native, some Wall Street adjacent, some literal sportsbook giants, have launched, expanded, or outright reinvented themselves as prediction market competitors.
So if you are in the U.S. and want to trade real-world events today instead of waiting for Polymarket’s grand return tour, here are the alternatives that are very much alive, very much open (or soon will be), and very much ready to take your money.
The Heavyweight Prediction Contenders
Kalshi: The Grown Up Prediction Market
Kalshi is the buttoned-up, federally regulated platform that somehow went from CFTC approved curiosity to a billion-dollar prediction market machine. If Polymarket is for the chaos lovers, Kalshi is for people who keep spreadsheets for fun.
Why it is a top alternative
- Legally operational in the U.S.
- Massive liquidity in politics, macro, rates, jobs, inflation, and government shutdown drama.
- No crypto required.
- Rapid growth, media integrations, and major institutional money pouring in.
While Polymarket is stretching before the race, Kalshi is already halfway down the track.
Crypto.com Prediction Markets: The Surprise Contender
Crypto.com went from “crypto trading app with Matt Damon commercials” to “prediction market heavyweight” faster than anyone expected.
Their product lets users trade yes or no contracts across sports, economics, politics, crypto, and pop culture using a derivatives-style regulatory framework that allows nationwide access.
Why it matters
- Live now and available to U.S. users.
- Regulated via CFTC compliant market structure.
- Smooth UX for crypto users who already fund through Crypto.com.
- Broad event coverage.
They also happen to be powering another major new entrant.
Fanatics Markets: The New Mainstream Beast
Fanatics, the sports merchandise empire turned sportsbook turned everything app, officially launched Fanatics Markets, a nationwide prediction market platform built with Crypto.com as its backend engine.
Why Fanatics Markets is a big deal
- Live already in multiple states with rapid expansion underway.
- Markets include sports, finance, politics, culture, and more.
- Huge marketing footprint thanks to Fanatics Sportsbook and merchandising empire.
- Familiar brand for everyday sports fans.
If any company can drag prediction markets into the mainstream, it is Fanatics.
The Sportsbook Crossovers To Prediction Markets
FanDuel Predicts
FanDuel is rolling out FanDuel Predicts, a standalone app offering event contracts across sports, economics, finance, and politics. It is targeted especially at states without legal online sports betting.
Why it stands out
- FanDuel’s massive user base.
- Sports first design that feels familiar to casual bettors.
- Event contract structure instead of gambling regulations.
- Trustworthy UX and a brand people already know.
This is the closest thing to Polymarket for someone who still refuses to learn how a crypto wallet works.
DraftKings Prediction Market
DraftKings acquired a licensed exchange and is preparing to launch its own prediction market product in states where DraftKings Sportsbook is not active.
What to expect
- Markets across politics, sports, entertainment, macro, and more.
- Full DraftKings integration.
- Potential promotion through ESPN thanks to their expanded partnership.
- Instant access to tens of millions of DK users.
DraftKings does not enter verticals casually. They enter to dominate.
Robinhood Prediction Markets
Robinhood now offers event contract markets directly in the brokerage app, one of the boldest crossover moves in the industry.
Why Robinhood could quietly take over
- Tens of millions of users already onboarded.
- Prediction trading integrated with standard brokerage accounts.
- Wide event selection across politics, sports, crypto, finance, and culture.
- Retail traders already treat earnings calls like prediction markets, so this fits naturally.
Robinhood’s move blurs the line between investing and predicting in a way that could reshape the entire market.
Mid Tier and Niche Alternatives
Opinion Labs
A strong option for users focused on political markets.
Myriad
A smaller but regulated exchange offering a clean and steady slate of markets.
Limitless
A crypto forward, experimental platform that appeals to traders who miss the early DeFi chaos era.
Should Polymarket Be Worried
Yes, and also no.
Yes:
Because the landscape is no longer empty. Major brands are competing. Liquidity is spreading. New users are signing up elsewhere every day.
No:
Because Polymarket still has unmatched cultural influence, unmatched sports market innovation, and the most energized community in the sector. When they fully reopen, liquidity will rush back.
The question is whether traders will still be waiting or whether they will have already settled into their new prediction market homes.
The prediction market renaissance is officially underway, no matter how slow Polymarket moves traders off the waitlist here in the U.S.
U.S. traders today can use or look forward to:
- Kalshi
- Crypto.com
- Fanatics Markets
- FanDuel Predicts
- DraftKings Prediction Market
- Robinhood
- Opinion Labs
- Myriad
- Limitless
Polymarket may be a social media darling, but the understudies, however, have already stolen half the applause.
