Polymarket launches US waitlist app, opens with sports markets
Polymarket has begun rolling out its mobile app in the United States via a waiting list, starting with sports prediction markets. The iOS app launched on the App Store (Android coming soon) and earned a 4.9-star average across ~29K reviews after heavy download volume. Access is currently gated by a waitlist; users must download the app to join. Polymarket said the rollout follows completion of regulatory requirements after its 2022 dispute with US regulators. The platform added over 377,000 new accounts in November (after ~400,000 in October) and recorded monthly active trader counts near 494,000 in October, with daily volumes around $130 million. The waitlist announcement affected an on-platform prediction market about Polymarket’s US launch: the ’yes’ token briefly traded near $0.99 but the market entered dispute and final settlement processes, partly relying on UMA protocol governance. Polymarket will phase in other event markets later; the initial US offering will be limited and focused on sports until real-money trading and broader markets are enabled.
Bullish
Positive implications for market adoption and on-chain liquidity: a US app rollout — even gated by a waitlist — validates regulatory progress and broadens on‑ramp access for mainstream users. Strong recent user-growth metrics (377K new accounts in November, ~494K monthly active traders in October) and high daily volumes (~$130M) suggest additional demand and deeper liquidity may follow, which can support higher trading volumes and volatility in short term (beneficial for traders). The high App Store rating and mass downloads are signals of retail interest that could draw capital into Polymarket markets and related on-chain liquidity providers. Short-term effects: increased platform activity, higher volumes and possible token swaps or exposure trades around event markets; expect volatility around market openings and settlement disputes (e.g., UMA-driven resolutions). Long-term effects: successful US expansion may attract more users, partnerships, and capital, strengthening Polymarket’s position versus competitors and supporting sustained volume growth. Risks: regulatory reversals, delayed full-money trading, or contentious market resolutions (as seen with the disputed launch market) could produce episodic sell-offs or reputational damage. Overall, net effect is bullish for platform liquidity and on-chain prediction market interest, but traders should monitor regulatory signals and UMA dispute outcomes for short-term spikes in volatility.