Are new prediction market platforms safe to use?

Safety varies by platform. Platforms built on Kalshi or Crypto.com CDNA infrastructure inherit those exchanges' CFTC licenses — meaning your funds are in a federally regulated environment. Platforms with pending CFTC applications are NOT yet licensed — verify status before depositing funds.

Why are so many prediction market platforms launching in 2026?

The combination of Kalshi's legal victories in federal courts and the CFTC's aggressive defense of prediction market licensing against state challenges has given investors confidence that the regulatory path is clearing. Established exchanges (Kalshi, Polymarket, Crypto.com) are now building partner/distribution networks — similar to how stock brokerages work as introducing brokers for major exchanges.

Should I wait for new platforms instead of using Kalshi or Polymarket?

For most users, no. Kalshi and Polymarket have 99%+ of all prediction market liquidity. New partner platforms typically distribute the same markets and contracts from the underlying exchange — they are distribution channels, not separate pools of better opportunities. The UI or loyalty features may be a reason to try a new platform, but don't expect better prices.

What is the difference between a DCM, DCO, and IB in prediction markets?

A Designated Contract Market (DCM) is the actual exchange that lists contracts. A Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) guarantees settlement and holds customer funds. An Introducing Broker (IB) routes customer orders to a licensed exchange — they cannot hold funds directly. Most 'new platforms' are IB applicants built on top of existing DCM/DCO infrastructure like Kalshi or Crypto.com CDNA.

Is Betr prediction markets live yet?

As of April 2026, Betr has announced its multi-year partnership with Polymarket (March 4, 2026) but has not yet launched the prediction markets product. Betr Predictions LLC has a pending NFA Introducing Broker application filed since October 2025. No specific launch date has been confirmed.

Is DAZN prediction markets live yet?

As of April 2026, DAZN has integrated Polymarket probability data into its live broadcast experience, but full prediction trading for U.S. users is contingent on CFTC license approval. DAZN announced in January 2026 that it intends to apply for relevant CFTC licenses and introduce trading 'in the coming months.'

2026 Platform Guide

Updated April 2026

New Prediction Market Apps Coming in 2026

More prediction market platforms launched or announced in 2026 than any prior year. Here's the complete guide to what's live, what's pending CFTC approval, and what each one actually offers — including Betr, DAZN, OG Predictions, Smarkets, and more.

Live Platforms (New in 2025–2026)

These platforms have launched and are accepting real-money prediction market trades.

OG Predictions

Live

via CDNA (Crypto.com)

Standalone prediction market app with social features and VIP program.

Launched: February 3, 2026

See Platform Source

Fanatics Markets

Live

via CDNA (Crypto.com)

Prediction markets for sports fans inside the Fanatics ecosystem.

Launched: 2025

Sleeper Markets

Live

via NFA / Kalshi rail

Fantasy sports app bringing event contracts to its existing user base.

Launched: January 2026

DraftKings Predictions

Live

via CME / NFA IB

Sports and entertainment prediction markets inside the DraftKings super app.

Launched: 2025

See Platform

Major Partnerships Launching This Year

These platforms have announced partnerships and regulatory filings but are not yet live for U.S. trading.

Betr

Launching 2026

via Polymarket (QCX LLC)

Sports-focused prediction markets inside the Betr super app. Multi-year Polymarket partnership.

Full Guide Source

DAZN

Launching 2026

via Polymarket (QCX LLC)

Global sports streaming platform integrating prediction trading for 200M+ subscribers.

Full Guide Source

High Roller Tech

Launching 2026

via CDNA (Crypto.com)

CDNA-powered platform targeting high-stakes prediction market users.

Betr — Full Profile

Sports media × prediction markets

Launching 2026

Infrastructure

Polymarket (QCX LLC / CFTC-licensed)

Reg Status

NFA IB application pending (Oct 2025)

Founded By

Joey Levy (CEO) & Jake Paul (2022)

User Base

1M paying users across Betr products

Multi-year partnership with Polymarket (announced March 4, 2026)
No separate exchange license needed — distributes Polymarket's contracts
Sports, politics, culture, and entertainment markets via Betr super app
Launch date TBD — no specific date confirmed as of April 2026

Full Betr Guide Source (PRNewswire)

DAZN — Full Profile

Global sports streaming × prediction markets

Launching 2026

Infrastructure

Polymarket (QCX LLC / CFTC-licensed)

Reg Status

FCM/broker application planned

Reach

200M+ subscribers worldwide

Partnership Type

Operational partner + planned broker

Polymarket probability data already integrated into live broadcast experience
First major sports streaming platform to integrate prediction markets
Covers boxing, UEFA Champions League, MMA, NFL, and global sports
Full U.S. trading contingent on CFTC license approval — timing TBD

Full DAZN Guide Source (DAZN Group)

Platforms Awaiting CFTC Approval

These platforms have applications filed with the CFTC or NFA but are not yet approved to offer prediction markets to U.S. users.

Verify before trading. A pending application is not an approval. Only platforms with an active CFTC designation or registered NFA IB status are authorized to accept U.S. customer funds.

Platform	License Type	Backed By	Notes
Smarkets CFTC Filing	DCM + DCO	Independent (SIG-backed)	UK-based exchange applying for US DCM+DCO license. CFTC filing #59862 was posted March 3, 2026. ~$3B annual trading volume internationally.
Galactic	IB	Time Magazine-backed	Consumer prediction market backed by Time Magazine. IB application pending.
Sporttrade	DCM + DCO	Independent	State-licensed sports exchange expanding to federal CFTC regulation. Already live in several states.
Kraken	DCM	Kraken Exchange	Major crypto exchange with announced $100M Small Exchange acquisition (NFA-registered). Prediction markets product in development.
Gemini	DCM	Winklevoss-backed	Crypto exchange pursuing CFTC designation for event contracts.
SI Predict	NFA IB	Sports Illustrated	Sports Illustrated brand entering prediction markets. NFA IB registration in progress.
TruthPredict	NFA IB	Trump Media & Technology (TMTG)	Powered by Crypto.com technology. Truth Social prediction market product announced Oct 2025.
Betr	Via Polymarket	Joey Levy & Jake Paul	Launching via Polymarket partnership (March 2026). NFA IB pending. No independent exchange license required.

Source: CFTC.gov public filings. Data verified by PredictionMarkets.US editorial team. Updated April 2026.

Who Powers What

Most new prediction market apps aren't independent exchanges. They're distribution layers built on top of three core infrastructure rails. Understanding which rail a platform uses tells you who actually holds your funds and which CFTC entity you're trading through.

Kalshi DCM/DCO

CFTC DCM + DCO since 2020. Partners act as IBs routing to Kalshi's exchange.

RobinhoodCoinbasePrizePicksSleeper

Polymarket / QCX LLC

QCX LLC (CFTC). Partners onboarded as operational partners or FCM/IB applicants.

Betr (launching)DAZN (launching)

Crypto.com CDNA

Crypto.com Derivatives North America — CFTC-registered DCM+DCO. Powers multiple branded frontends.

OG PredictionsFanatics MarketsUnderdogDraftKingsHigh RollerHollywood.comTruthPredict

Infrastructure data sourced from public announcements and CFTC filings. "Via" relationships indicate the partner platform routes trades through the named exchange.

OG Predictions — Spotlight

OG Predictions (Crypto.com)

Live since February 3, 2026

Live Now

Infrastructure

CDNA (Crypto.com Derivatives North America) — CFTC DCM + DCO

CEO

Nick Lundgren (also CLO of Crypto.com)

Standalone app separate from Crypto.com main app
Social features: leaderboards, community sharing, VIP program
Planned margin trading (subject to CFTC product certification)
Not available in New York (excluded from all CDNA-powered products)

Full OG Predictions Guide Source

Smarkets US — Spotlight

Smarkets Board of Trade

CFTC DCM + DCO application pending (March 2026)

CFTC Pending

Filing

CFTC #59862, posted March 3, 2026

CEO

Jason Trost

Backer

Susquehanna International Group (SIG)

Global Volume

~$3B annually, $50B+ lifetime

UK's second-largest prediction exchange since 2008
Peer-to-peer exchange model (users trade against each other, not the house)
Separate DCO clearing entity also in progress
CFTC has up to 180 days to approve or deny — not yet available in US

Full Smarkets Guide CFTC Filing

New Prediction Market Apps Coming in 2026

Platform

License Type

Backed By

Notes

Smarkets CFTC Filing

DCM + DCO

Independent (SIG-backed)

UK-based exchange applying for US DCM+DCO license. CFTC filing #59862 was posted March 3, 2026. ~$3B annual trading volume internationally.

Galactic

Time Magazine-backed

Consumer prediction market backed by Time Magazine. IB application pending.

Sporttrade

DCM + DCO

Independent

State-licensed sports exchange expanding to federal CFTC regulation. Already live in several states.

Kraken

DCM

Kraken Exchange

Major crypto exchange with announced $100M Small Exchange acquisition (NFA-registered). Prediction markets product in development.

Gemini

DCM

Winklevoss-backed

Crypto exchange pursuing CFTC designation for event contracts.

SI Predict

NFA IB

Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated brand entering prediction markets. NFA IB registration in progress.

TruthPredict

NFA IB

Trump Media & Technology (TMTG)

Betr

Via Polymarket

Joey Levy & Jake Paul

Launching via Polymarket partnership (March 2026). NFA IB pending. No independent exchange license required.