Kalshi.com How American Began Using the Trading Platform
Kalshi.com has become one of the most prominent prediction market platforms in the United States, offering a regulated environment for trading on real-world events. With its rapid growth, billion-dollar funding rounds, and official approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Kalshi is reshaping how Americans interact with information, risk, and speculation. This review explores Kalshi’s background, regulatory journey, commercial opportunities, and practical steps for U.S. consumers to begin using the platform.
What is Kalshi?
Kalshi is a federally regulated prediction market exchange founded in 2018. Unlike offshore platforms, Kalshi operates under U.S. law as a Designated Contract Market (DCM), meaning it is legally authorized to offer event contracts. These contracts allow users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, ranging from politics and economics to sports and weather.
Kalshi’s mission is to transform opinions into tradable assets. CEO Tarek Mansour has described the platform as “replacing debate, subjectivity, and talk with markets, accuracy, and truth”. Millions of users now access Kalshi weekly, trading across thousands of markets.
Regulatory Approval and U.S. Market Entry
Kalshi’s defining advantage is its regulatory status. In 2021, the CFTC granted Kalshi approval to operate as a regulated exchange, making it the first prediction market legally recognized in the U.S. This approval distinguishes Kalshi from competitors like Polymarket, which only recently gained similar regulatory footing.
By securing this designation, Kalshi legitimized prediction markets as a new financial asset class. It also ensured compliance with U.S. financial regulations, including market surveillance, reporting, and consumer protections. For American users, this means Kalshi is a safe and legal platform for trading event contracts.
Growth and Market Momentum
Kalshi’s growth has been extraordinary. In late 2025, the company raised $1 billion in a Series E funding round, achieving an $11 billion valuation. Trading volumes have surged, surpassing $1 billion per week, with November 2025 marking its best-ever month at $4.54 billion in volume. This growth reflects both institutional and retail adoption, as prediction markets gain mainstream traction.
Kalshi has also expanded its offerings by integrating with brokerages and forming partnerships with media outlets. For example, it has been used by reporters and analysts to forecast elections, often beating traditional polling in accuracy.
How U.S. Consumers Can Begin Using Kalshi
For American users, joining Kalshi is straightforward:
- Sign Up: Create an account directly on Kalshi.com.
- Identity Verification: Complete KYC requirements to comply with U.S. regulations.
- Fund Your Account: Kalshi supports deposits in U.S. dollars and recently added support for cryptocurrencies like NEAR, giving users more flexibility.
- Browse Markets: Explore thousands of active markets covering politics, economics, sports, and more.
- Trade Event Contracts: Buy “Yes” or “No” shares tied to specific outcomes. Prices reflect probabilities, and profits depend on the accuracy of predictions.
- Withdraw Earnings: Users can withdraw in fiat or supported crypto tokens.
Kalshi vs. Polymarket
While Polymarket has gained attention for its blockchain-based model, Kalshi’s strength lies in its regulatory legitimacy and U.S.-centric focus. Kalshi is fully integrated into the American financial system, making it more accessible to mainstream consumers. Its valuation and trading volumes also suggest it has pulled ahead of Polymarket in recent months.
Commercial Opportunities for U.S. Consumers
Kalshi offers more than casual speculation. It provides commercial opportunities for traders, analysts, and businesses:
- Risk Management: Companies can hedge against uncertain outcomes like government shutdowns or weather events.
- Market Intelligence: Analysts can use Kalshi’s odds as indicators of public sentiment.
- Content Creation: Influencers and journalists can build content around Kalshi’s markets.
- Portfolio Diversification: Prediction markets offer a unique asset class beyond traditional stocks and bonds.
Why Kalshi.com is Trending
Search interest in “Kalshi U.S. launch,” “how to use Kalshi in America,” and “regulated prediction markets” has surged alongside its funding announcements and trading milestones. Kalshi’s integration with brokerages and media outlets has further boosted visibility, making it a trending topic in both financial and consumer circles.
The Future of Kalshi in the U.S.
Kalshi’s trajectory suggests prediction markets are becoming mainstream financial instruments. With billions in trading volume, institutional backing from firms like Paradigm and Sequoia, and growing consumer adoption, Kalshi is positioned as a leader in the sector. Its regulated status ensures long-term sustainability, while partnerships and integrations will expand its reach.
What is kalshi.com Conclusion
Kalshi.com’s entry into the U.S. market represents a landmark moment for prediction markets. For American consumers, it offers a safe, regulated, and innovative way to trade on real-world events. By combining financial legitimacy with rapid growth, Kalshi has established itself as the premier U.S. prediction market platform.
U.S. users can now legally access Kalshi, verify their accounts, fund with fiat or crypto, and begin trading across thousands of markets. Whether for speculation, risk management, or commercial opportunity, Kalshi provides a unique platform that is reshaping how Americans engage with uncertainty.
Sources:
Cointelegraph – Kalshi raises $1B at $11B valuation
Cryptonews – Kalshi and Polymarket prediction markets surge
Coinspeaker – Kalshi adds NEAR support for U.S. users
Kalshi Newsroom – $11B valuation announcement
Coindesk – Kalshi raises $1B at $11B valuation
TechCrunch – Kalshi raises $1B at $11B valuation