How to Trade on Polymarket: Complete Guide 2026

What is Polymarket?

Polymarket is the world's largest prediction market platform, allowing users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events using cryptocurrency. Founded in 2020, it has grown to become the go-to destination for event trading with over $1 billion in monthly trading volume.

Unlike traditional betting platforms, Polymarket operates on blockchain technology (specifically the Polygon network), which means all trades are transparent, verifiable, and settled automatically through smart contracts. The platform uses USDC, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, making it easy to understand your positions in familiar currency terms.

Key Features

Trade on politics, sports, crypto, entertainment, and more
Real-time odds updated by the market
No KYC required for basic trading
Low fees on Polygon network
Mobile apps for iOS and Android

Getting Started with Polymarket

Creating a Polymarket account is straightforward. Here's how to get set up in just a few minutes:

Step 1: Create Your Account

Visit polymarket.com and click "Sign Up"
Choose your sign-up method: email, Google, or connect a crypto wallet
If using email, verify your email address
Set up two-factor authentication (highly recommended)

Step 2: Set Up Your Wallet

Polymarket creates a smart contract wallet for you automatically. This wallet is where your USDC and market positions are stored. You can also connect an external wallet like MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet for additional control.

⚠️ Important: Geographic Restrictions

Polymarket is not available to US residents due to regulatory restrictions. The platform uses geolocation to enforce these restrictions. If you're in the US, consider using Kalshi, which is CFTC-regulated and legal for US users.

Depositing Funds

Polymarket uses USDC (USD Coin) for all trades. There are several ways to fund your account:

Option 1: Credit/Debit Card (Easiest)

Polymarket allows direct deposits via credit or debit card through their integrated payment processor. This is the fastest way to get started:

Click "Deposit" in the top right corner
Select "Card" as your payment method
Enter the amount you want to deposit (minimum varies)
Complete the card payment
USDC appears in your wallet within minutes

Option 2: Crypto Transfer

If you already have crypto, you can send USDC directly to your Polymarket wallet:

Click "Deposit" and select "Crypto"
Choose your network: Polygon (recommended), Ethereum, or others
Copy your deposit address
Send USDC from your external wallet to this address
Funds arrive in seconds (Polygon) to minutes (Ethereum)

💡 Pro Tip: Use Polygon Network

Always deposit via Polygon network when possible. Gas fees are fractions of a cent compared to dollars on Ethereum mainnet. This also means faster transactions.

Option 3: Coinbase (One-Click)

If you have a Coinbase account, Polymarket offers seamless integration for deposits and withdrawals.

Understanding Polymarket Markets

Polymarket markets are binary—they resolve to either "Yes" or "No." The price of each outcome reflects the market's collective probability estimate.

How Pricing Works

Each market has two outcomes: Yes and No. Prices range from $0.01 to $0.99 and always sum to approximately $1.00.

Yes Price	Implied Probability	If You Buy Yes at This Price
$0.20	20% chance	Win $0.80 profit if Yes
$0.50	50% chance	Win $0.50 profit if Yes
$0.75	75% chance	Win $0.25 profit if Yes
$0.95	95% chance	Win $0.05 profit if Yes

Market Categories

Polymarket offers markets across many categories:

Politics - Elections, legislation, policy decisions worldwide
Sports - Game outcomes, championships, player trades
Crypto - Bitcoin prices, ETF approvals, protocol updates
Entertainment - Awards shows, celebrity events, media
Science & Tech - AI developments, space exploration
Finance - Fed decisions, economic indicators, markets
Weather - Temperature records, natural disasters

How to Place Trades

Market Orders (Instant)

Market orders execute immediately at the current best available price:

Find a market you want to trade
Click "Buy Yes" or "Buy No"
Enter the amount you want to spend
Review the number of shares and potential payout
Click "Confirm" to execute

Limit Orders (Better Prices)

Limit orders let you set your own price and wait for the market to come to you:

Click the "Limit" tab in the order panel
Enter your desired price (e.g., $0.45 for Yes)
Enter the number of shares you want
Submit your order
Your order sits in the book until filled or canceled

💰 Zero Maker Fees

Polymarket charges no fees on limit orders (maker orders). You only pay a small fee when your market order takes liquidity. Use limit orders to maximize your edge.

Selling Your Position

You can sell your position at any time before the market resolves:

Go to your Portfolio page
Find the position you want to sell
Click "Sell" and choose how many shares
Review the price and confirm

Trading Strategies for Polymarket

1. News Trading

React quickly to breaking news that affects market outcomes. Follow relevant news sources and be ready to trade when major developments occur.

2. Value Betting

Find markets where you believe the probability is mispriced. If you think an event has a 60% chance but the market says 40%, that's a potential value bet.

3. Arbitrage

Sometimes the same event trades at different prices on different platforms. If Polymarket says 55% and another platform says 45%, you can lock in risk-free profit.

4. Liquidity Provision

Place limit orders on both sides of a market to earn the spread. This works best in high-volume markets where your orders get filled regularly.

⚠️ Risk Warning

Prediction market trading involves significant risk. Never trade more than you can afford to lose. Markets can move against you quickly, especially around major events.

Withdrawing Your Funds

Withdrawing from Polymarket is straightforward. You can move your USDC to any compatible wallet or convert to fiat through various methods.

Withdraw to Crypto Wallet

Click "Withdraw" in the top menu
Select "Crypto" as your withdrawal method
Choose your network (Polygon recommended for low fees)
Enter your destination wallet address
Enter the amount to withdraw
Confirm and wait for the transaction

Withdraw to Coinbase

If you have Coinbase connected, you can withdraw directly to your Coinbase account and then convert to USD for bank withdrawal.

For a complete guide on cashing out, see our How to Withdraw from Polymarket guide.

Pro Tips for Polymarket Success

1. Start Small

Begin with small positions while you learn how the platform works. Scale up only after you're comfortable.

2. Diversify Your Bets

Don't put all your funds in one market. Spread across multiple uncorrelated events to reduce risk.

3. Watch the Whales

Large traders often have better information. Tools like whale tracking services can help you follow smart money.

4. Understand Resolution Rules

Always read the market's resolution rules carefully. Markets resolve based on specific criteria that may differ from your assumptions.

5. Use Limit Orders

Limit orders have no fees and often get better prices than market orders. Be patient and let the market come to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polymarket legal?

Polymarket operates offshore and is not available to US residents due to regulatory restrictions. Users in most other countries can access the platform legally. Always check your local laws before trading.

What is the minimum deposit on Polymarket?

Polymarket has no official minimum deposit. However, you'll need enough USDC to cover your trades plus gas fees for transactions on Polygon. Most users start with at least $50-100 for practical trading.

How long do Polymarket withdrawals take?

Withdrawals from Polymarket are processed on the Polygon blockchain and typically complete within minutes. However, if you're bridging to Ethereum mainnet or converting to fiat, it may take longer depending on your chosen method.

Can I use Polymarket on mobile?

Yes, Polymarket has mobile apps available for both iOS and Android. You can also access the platform through any mobile web browser by visiting polymarket.com.

Does Polymarket charge fees?

Polymarket charges no trading fees for makers (limit orders) and a small fee for takers (market orders). There are also blockchain gas fees for deposits, withdrawals, and trades, though these are minimal on Polygon.

How do I get paid on Polymarket?

When a market resolves in your favor, your winning shares automatically convert to USDC in your Polymarket wallet. You can then withdraw this USDC to any compatible crypto wallet.

Start Trading on Polymarket Today

Polymarket offers an exciting way to trade on real-world events with real stakes. Whether you're interested in politics, sports, crypto, or any other topic, there's likely a market for you.

Remember to start small, do your research, and never trade more than you can afford to lose. With the strategies and tips in this guide, you're well-equipped to start your prediction market journey.