Crypto.com Launches OG: A Standalone US Prediction Markets Platform That’s Actually Legal

Crypto.com just dropped a regulatory grenade in the U.S. market. Their new standalone platform, OG, isn't another exchange—it's a full-fledged prediction market. Think betting on election outcomes, sports results, or stock movements, but with crypto. And crucially, it's built to navigate the SEC's maze.

The Regulatory Tightrope Walk

Launching anything in U.S. crypto is a legal minefield. OG appears to be Crypto.com's calculated bid to sidestep the worst of it by operating separately from its main exchange. It's a classic 'move fast and don't break (too many) laws' strategy. They're betting that a clean, dedicated platform for speculative contracts will attract users tired of regulatory uncertainty elsewhere.

Why This Could Actually Matter

Prediction markets are the ultimate efficiency tool—crowdsourcing wisdom to forecast real-world events. By tokenizing these bets, OG could create a massive, liquid market for information. It's a direct challenge to traditional betting and a sneaky way to bring decentralized finance principles to mainstream speculation. For a sector obsessed with 'utility,' this is a tangible use case beyond memecoins and NFTs.

Of course, it also lets people gamble on politics with Bitcoin—because what's more American than that? The platform's success hinges on a brutal balance: being engaging enough to draw crowds while being compliant enough to avoid getting shut down. Crypto.com is playing the long game here, betting that structured, legal speculation will win over the wild west of offshore platforms. It's a risky, expensive bet. But if it pays off, they won't just have a new product—they'll have a blueprint. Just don't expect Wall Street to thank them for making their own crystal ball obsolete.

Crypto.com Spins Out OG After Surge in Prediction Market Activity

The decision to launch OG as a separate platform follows rapid growth in Crypto.com’s prediction market offerings.

The firm first entered the space in 2024 and rolled out a “sports event trading” product for US users in December of that year. According to co-founder and CEO Kris Marszalek, activity has surged since then.

“We’ve experienced 40x weekly growth in our prediction market business over the last six months,” Marszalek said, adding that the pace justified a dedicated platform rather than keeping the product bundled within Crypto.com’s broader ecosystem.

OG will be led by Nick Lundgren, Crypto.com’s chief legal officer, who takes on the role of CEO.

Lundgren described prediction markets as a “deca-billion dollar industry,” pointing to rising interest from both retail users and institutional players.

We’re excited to officially unveil the new era of prediction markets for sports fans with the launch of OG! Make your call now at https://t.co/X9D1s2StPQ.

Read more here: https://t.co/a2FrohML3B pic.twitter.com/6suaOYy1yL

Still, the field is becoming increasingly crowded. Coinbase launched a US-focused prediction market product in partnership with Kalshi in late January, while Hyperliquid recently outlined plans to expand into event-based markets.

The timing of OG’s debut reflects broader momentum across the sector. Prediction markets have grown from less than $100 million in monthly volume in early 2024 to more than $13 billion by the end of 2025, according to industry data.

Combined volumes on Polymarket and Kalshi alone reached $37 billion last year, as Wall Street and crypto firms alike explore new uses for event contracts beyond online betting.

State Opposition to Prediction Markets Builds Over Consumer Concerns

State opposition to prediction markets has been building for months.

In 2025, the SWC urged the CFTC to prohibit sports event contracts, arguing that such products bypass state safeguards such as age verification, responsible gaming rules and anti-money laundering requirements.

As reported, a new legislation to limit the interactions between government officials and the prediction markets is being supported by more than 30 Democrats in the US House of Representatives, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The lure behind new restrictions is a controversial Polymarket bet, which started as a bet of $32,000 but eventually became more than $400,000 shortly before the unexpected detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The bill proposed by the New York Representative Ritchie Torres is the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026.