Polymarket Wins CFTC Approval to Operate as Fully Regulated U.S. Exchange

• Polymarket gains CFTC approval to operate an intermediated, fully regulated U.S. exchange.
• New designation enables brokerage onboarding and access to standard U.S. market infrastructure.
• Enhanced surveillance, clearing, and reporting systems are required before the platform’s full launch.

Polymarket has secured a regulatory move after the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued an Amended Order of Designation that allows the company to operate an intermediated trading platform within the full federal exchange framework.

The decision signals a shift in how the prediction-market operator can interact with market participants, enabling it to connect to existing U.S. financial infrastructure and handle activity traditionally overseen by regulated intermediaries. The amended designation places Polymarket under the same compliance expectations that govern other federally supervised exchanges.

CFTC Authorization Opens Access to Brokerages and U.S. Market Channels

With the updated approval, Polymarket is now permitted to onboard brokerages and customers directly, a change that aligns its operations with the structure of established U.S. trading venues. The order authorizes the introduction of intermediated access, which allows participants to trade through futures commission merchants and use standard custody, settlement, and reporting mechanisms.

This expansion brings Polymarket under a broader operational scope while keeping the platform subject to the Commodity Exchange Act and applicable CFTC regulations for Designated Contract Markets.

Following the approval, Polymarket stated that its revised designation will support the transition toward a framework that integrates the platform with traditional infrastructure used by regulated financial institutions. Founder and CEO Shayne Coplan said the approval reflects the expectations associated with operating under U.S. regulatory oversight and acknowledged the agency’s engagement throughout the process.

Enhanced Surveillance and Reporting Required Before Full Launch

As part of the amended order, Polymarket has developed new surveillance systems, supervisory procedures, and clearing-related processes. These upgrades include enhanced market-monitoring tools and part-16 regulatory reporting functions designed to meet federal requirements. According to the company, additional rules, policies, and operational safeguards required for intermediated trading will be implemented before the updated platform becomes fully available.

The CFTC’s classification confirms that Polymarket remains responsible for meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations applicable to federally regulated exchanges, including self-regulatory duties. The amended structure positions the platform to operate within a more formal oversight environment as it finalizes the systems necessary for intermediated access.