Polymarket's international platform, the one Nimb maps, is not open to US users for new positions; Polymarket US, a separate exchange regulated by the CFTC, is the legal way to trade Polymarket from the United States, through its app with identity checks, in most but not all states. This page is not legal advice; check Polymarket US's own state list before you sign up.
Can Americans use Polymarket?
| Polymarket (international) | Polymarket US | |
|---|---|---|
| US users | Close-only: can close existing positions, cannot open | Yes, in supported states |
| Regulator | Not CFTC-regulated | CFTC-designated exchange (formerly QCEX) |
| Account | Self-custody wallet | Account with identity verification (KYC) |
| Money | pUSD on Polygon | US dollars through the app |
| Available through Nimb | Yes, where allowed | No |
What happened to Polymarket in the US?
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 2022 | CFTC order: $1.4M penalty for offering unregistered event-based binary options; US users blocked (CFTC 8478-22) |
| 2025 | Federal investigations into Polymarket were reported closed without charges |
| July 2025 | Polymarket acquires QCEX, a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearing house |
| November 2025 | CFTC approves an amended order of designation allowing intermediated US access |
| 2026 | Polymarket US app opens from a waitlist to users in most states |
Which states can use Polymarket US?
Most, not all. Reports in 2026 listed several states where it was not offered, including states that dispute sports event contracts in court, such as Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland and Michigan. The list changes with court rulings and state action; Polymarket US's own sign-up flow is the only reliable check. Background on the court cases: are prediction markets legal?
Can I use a VPN to reach the international platform?
No. It breaks Polymarket's terms and can lead to frozen access. Nimb runs Polymarket's location check before every order and will not open positions from the US. You can still read every market on Nimb from anywhere: the map, market pages and analytics are free.
What about taxes?
US tax treatment of prediction market gains is not settled by specific IRS guidance. Prediction market taxes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polymarket legal in the US?
Polymarket US is a CFTC-regulated exchange available to US users in most states. The international platform is close-only for US users.
Is Polymarket US the same as Polymarket?
Same company, separate exchange: different regulator, accounts and markets, and possibly different prices for similar questions.
Can I see Polymarket odds from the US?
Yes. Reading prices is not restricted, on Polymarket or on Nimb.
Does Nimb work with Polymarket US?
No. Nimb maps and routes orders to the international platform only.
Last reviewed 8 November 2026 · Data from Polymarket · Not financial advice · Nimb is not affiliated with Polymarket.