Polymarket Bets Big: Snags CFTC-Licensed QCEX for $112M to Revamp US Prediction Markets

Polymarket just placed its biggest wager yet—acquiring regulated prediction market platform QCEX in a $112 million power move.

The crypto prediction market heavyweight now holds a golden ticket: a CFTC license to operate legally in the US. This isn't just expansion—it's a full-scale assault on traditional betting markets.

Why it matters: After regulatory crackdowns forced Polymarket to block US users in 2021, this acquisition flips the script. Suddenly, the 'unregulated crypto casino' narrative gets rewritten by... following all the rules.

The cynical take: Wall Street will pretend they saw this coming—right after they finish lobbying against it. Meanwhile, decentralized prediction markets keep proving that when you can't beat regulators, you just buy their approval.

What's next: Expect a rebranded platform, new liquidity pools, and the inevitable flood of 'this changes everything' hot takes. The real question? Whether traditional sportsbooks will finally wake up to the existential threat.

• Polymarket acquires QCEX for $112 million to return to U.S. as a regulated prediction platform.
• DOJ and CFTC drop investigations, clearing Polymarket for full U.S. market re-entry.
• Polymarket’s CEO says user demand surges as platform gains traction as a mainstream forecast tool.

Polymarket, the largest global crypto-based prediction market, has wrapped up a $112 million acquisition of QCX, LLC and QC Clearing LLC, a derivatives exchange and clearinghouse licensed by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The deal enables Polymarket to reenter the U.S. market with a fully compliant and regulated platform.

Polymarket Eyes an entry into the U.S market via the acquisition of QCEX 

The acquisition of QCEX, which includes QCX LLC and QC Clearing LLC, offers Polymarket a fully licensed infrastructure. QCEX received CFTC approval on 9 July and is now legally permitted to operate a derivatives exchange and clearinghouse in the United States.

The development enables the platform to offer event-based trading contracts to its clients in the U.S., while complying with financial regulations that limited its access to the local market.

“said Shayne Coplan, Founder and CEO of Polymarket.

The purchase also occurs amid the growth of rivalry between prediction platforms. Other companies, such as Kalshi and Crypto.com, have introduced similar regulated services. 

Sergei Dobrovolskii, founder of QCEX, said that by uniting their licenses and technology with those of Polymarket, they will be able to unlock the platform’s full potential in retail trade in crypto markets. This regulatory compliance may lead to the introduction of prediction markets to shape sectors such as politics, finance, and others while remaining compliant with established legal standards.

Institutional Legitimacy through Compliance in the United States

The platform gained notable attention when it offered odds during the 2024 U.S. presidential election and received broad exposure in the media. Nevertheless, despite its popularity, the platform experienced extreme regulatory pressure. The authorities raised concerns of possible violations of an agreement reached with the company in 2022.

The agreement settled with the CFTC required the platform to prevent the onboarding of U.S. users until it became licensed. Despite the allegations, the regulators ended their investigations without any charges. 

The platform is now cleared and plans to complete the transition to regulatory compliance through this acquisition. The company seeks to fill the gap between the decentralized prediction market and traditional financial control. 

Polymarket Positioned for Mainstream Influence

According to Coplan, the platform has also seen substantial growth in both user base and trading volume, noting that, 

In the first half of 2025 alone, the platform has already reached a total of $5.8 billion in predictions made across politics, finance, and culture. It also increased its mainstream visibility through a recent collaboration with the social media platform X. Under QCEX regulatory license, the platform will be able to expand its reach even more, offering its prediction tools to an even greater number of American audiences.