Prediction platform Polymarket plans to issue its own token in 2026 after $2 billion investment from NYSE owner and return to the US market.
Polymarket to issue native token after NYSE investment
Polymarket, one of the leading prediction market platforms, is preparing to launch its own crypto token — but not before 2026, Decrypt reports, citing sources close to the company.
The decision to launch the token comes after the owner of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Intercontinental Exchange, invested $2 billion in Polymarket’s business, valuing it at $9 billion.
The company is also preparing to return to the US market, where its operations were restricted in 2022 after a $1.2 million fine from the CFTC for violating derivatives reporting rules.
POLY token to be part of new strategy
CEO Shayne Coplan hinted at the upcoming token in a post on X, adding the ticker “POLY” alongside BTC, ETH, SOL, and BNB, sparking a flurry of speculation.
According to The Information, Polymarket has already been offering token warrants to investors that will give them the right to buy tokens once they are issued. POLY is expected to be used to validate prediction market results and reward active users.
However, the company does not plan to launch the token until it fully recovers its position in the US, where competitor Kalshi, recently valued at $5 billion after a $300 million funding round, is dominating.
Prediction markets to explode in 2025
The prediction market has emerged as one of the most dynamic segments of the crypto industry in 2025. Polymarket, Kalshi, Limitless and Myriad have generated over $1.4 billion in trading volume over the past week, covering topics from elections to sports.
Polymarket controls 31% of the market, while Kalshi controls about 66%, according to Dune Analytics.
From fine to industry leader
Despite pressure from regulators, Polymarket continues to grow. The company has raised hundreds of millions of dollars from Coinbase Ventures, Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Steve Cohen’s Point72.
In July, the company acquired CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange QCX, paving the way for a return to the US market. In September, QCX received a no-action letter from the regulator, allowing Polymarket to officially resume operations in the country.
Polymarket’s first regulated markets for sports and elections could launch as early as October 2, and a waiting list for users in the US is already open.
Outlook
If Polymarket successfully launches its token upon its return, it could be a game-changer for prediction markets. The company would not only legalize its operations in the US, but could also create a decentralized economic layer of trust for the entire prediction industry, from politics to sports.
The POLY token would potentially become the first regulated utility prediction market token in the US, combining crypto innovation with the transparency of traditional financial systems.
