Complete Guide to Polymarket
Comprehensive guide to using Polymarket. Learn account setup, deposits, trading strategies, and tips for the largest crypto prediction market.
What is Polymarket?
Polymarket is the largest decentralized prediction market platform, built on the Polygon blockchain. It allows users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events using cryptocurrency (USDC). With deep liquidity and a wide range of markets covering politics, sports, crypto, and current events, Polymarket has become the go-to platform for event-driven trading.
How to Get Started
- Connect a wallet - Use MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or any Ethereum-compatible wallet
- Get USDC on Polygon - You'll need USDC on the Polygon network to trade
- Browse markets - Find markets you're interested in trading
- Buy Yes or No shares - Trade based on your predictions
Getting USDC on Polygon
There are several ways to fund your Polymarket account:
- Direct deposit - Deposit USD directly through Polymarket's interface
- Bridge from Ethereum - Use the Polygon bridge to move USDC from Ethereum
- Buy on an exchange - Purchase USDC on Coinbase, Binance, etc., and send to Polygon
Understanding Polymarket Prices
Prices on Polymarket represent the market's estimated probability of an outcome:
Example: If "Yes" shares for "Will it rain tomorrow?" are trading at $0.65, the market thinks there's a 65% chance it will rain. If you buy "Yes" at $0.65 and it rains, your shares are worth $1.00 (profit of $0.35 per share).
Key Features
- Deep liquidity - Large markets with millions in trading volume
- Low fees - Competitive trading fees
- 24/7 trading - Markets never close
- Mobile-friendly - Trade from any device
- Real-time settlement - Markets resolve quickly after events conclude
Important Considerations
Note: Polymarket is not available to US residents due to regulatory restrictions. US users should consider US-legal alternatives like Kalshi.