How to Bet on Polymarket in the US?

Polymarket has taken the world by storm with the 2024 US elections, offering a unique platform where you can bet on the outcomes of real-world events, for example, will Donald Trump or Kamala Harris win the 2024 Election. From politics and sports to the latest in crypto trends, if you’ve got a hunch, you can put your money where your mouth is. But if you’re in the USA, you might have noticed a bit of a hiccup—Polymarket isn’t directly available. Don’t worry, though! I share a handy workaround that’ll have you trading predictions in no time. Ready? Let’s dive into how to bet on Polymarket in the US!

What Is Polymarket? Winner in 2024 US Election

Before you get into how to bet on Polymarket in the US, let’s talk about Polymarket for a sec.

If you look back on the 2024 U.S. election, it’s clear that prediction markets—such as Polymarket—have grown in influence and relevance. Much like how Donald Trump, the Republican Party, and the cryptocurrency industry found themselves at the center of media and public discussion, prediction markets are now being hailed as a more dynamic and, some argue, more accurate alternative to traditional polling methods.

When it comes to forecasting future events, particularly in political and financial landscapes, prediction markets have carved out a niche that is now gaining more mainstream recognition. By allowing people to “bet” on the outcomes of events—whether it’s a political race, crypto price fluctuations, or the outcome of a sporting event—these markets enable real-world, money-backed insight into probabilities, rather than relying solely on statistical models or surveys.

In the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. election, Polymarket became a notable player in tracking political trends. As traditional polls sometimes struggled with accuracy, markets on platforms like Polymarket often proved to be more reliable indicators of public sentiment, particularly when money was on the line. And just like that, Polymarket and its founders, led by Shayne Coplan, found themselves not just in the game, but leading the pack.

Prediction markets are gaining traction because they bring a more democratic, decentralized, and financially backed form of insight. By enabling everyday individuals to place bets (or shares) on potential outcomes, Polymarket and similar platforms have shown that the wisdom of crowds, particularly when backed by money, can be a more accurate way to predict events. It’s not just about what people say they believe will happen; it’s about what they’re willing to put their money on.

However, as Polymarket continues to expand, the question remains: what’s next? With cryptocurrency volatility and political turmoil continuing to capture headlines, Polymarket is well-positioned to lead the charge in providing real-time, crowd-sourced predictions on a variety of topics. Whether it’s future elections, the next crypto boom, or the global economic landscape, Shayne Coplan’s vision of a decentralized, financial marketplace is more relevant than ever.

So, the next time you hear about a major event—whether it’s political, financial, or something else entirely—consider turning to Polymarket to see what the crowd is betting on. After all, they might just have the inside scoop!

The catch? U.S. users need a little help to join the fun. Enter the magical world of VPNs and crypto wallets.

How to Bet on Polymarket in the US?

Now let’s go straight towards how to access Polymarket from the US for prediction market.

Step 1: Create Your Polymarket Account

First things first, sign up at Polymarket. The great thing is, you don’t need to provide any personal information like an email. Instead, Polymarket connects directly to your crypto wallet. It runs on the Polygon blockchain, so all you need to do is link a wallet, such as MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet. If you don’t have a wallet yet, no worries! Just follow Step 3 to set one up before proceeding. If you already have one, you can skip this step and move right on to the fun part.

Step 2: Get A VPN

Now, to sneak past the geo-restrictions, you’ll need a VPN. Think of it like a digital passport that lets you travel the virtual world without borders. Here is how to bet on Polymarket in the US, you know, by pretending you are not.

1. Choose a VPN Provider: There are a bunch out there, but you’d better choose the best one that works on your phone, for instance, Bear VPN, since it’s a bit easier to trade on Polymarket on mobile. 
2. Install the VPN: Download and install the VPN from app store on your device. 
3. Connect to a Server: Open the app, pick a server outside the U.S., such as Singapore and the Netherlands, and then tap on Connect. Voilà! You’re virtually globetrotting.
4. Confirm Your Location: Double-check your new IP address using an IP-checking website to ensure you’re “out of the country.”

Step 3: Create or Sign in Your Crypto Wallet

Transactions on Polymarket are done in USDC (a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar), so the precondition of how to bet on Polymarket in the US is a crypto wallet. This is your digital piggy bank where you’ll store the cryptocurrency you’ll use on Polymarket.

If you’ve already used MetaMask, you’re good to go—it should feel familiar. If not, no worries! You’ll need to set up an account, but don’t stress, it’s a simple process. Just follow the instructions to get started.

1. Download a Crypto Wallet: Popular options are MetaMask and Coinbase Wallet, which support the Polygon blockchain.
2. Create an Account: Follow the setup instructions in the wallet app. Don’t forget to save your recovery phrase somewhere safe. Treat it like the key to your secret treasure chest.
3. Add the Polygon Network: If you’re using MetaMask, you’ll need to add the Polygon network manually so that you can receive USDC from an exchange.

Step 4: Fund Your Wallet to Bet on Polymarket in the US

After setting up your wallet, it’s time to fund it. You’ve got a couple of options here. Some wallets let you buy USDC directly, but if that’s not an option, you can transfer funds from an exchange like Coinbase to your wallet.

1. Search for USDC on Coinbase and choose your payment method—credit card, bank transfer, or whatever works for you. If you already own other cryptocurrencies on Coinbase, you can swap them for USDC for sure.
2. Head to your MetaMask wallet once you’ve got USDC. Click “Receive Crypto” to get your wallet address, copy it, then go back to Coinbase. Hit “Send Crypto”, paste your MetaMask address, and confirm the transfer. You may be prompted to ensure the address can accept tokens on the Polygon network.

Step 5: Transfer Funds from MetaMask to Polymarket

Now that your wallet is funded, it’s time to send your USDC to Polymarket. Since you signed up with MetaMask, this step should be pretty straightforward—though sometimes a little finicky.

Just click “Deposit” on Polymarket, and it’ll guide you through the process. You’ll toggle back and forth between Polymarket and MetaMask, and when Polymarket asks you to “sign” the transaction, just approve it in your wallet.

Step 6: Bet on Polymarket in the US

Now you’ve fixed all issues on how to bet on Polymarket in the US. It comes to the funnest part—trading on Polymarket! Here’s how you can get started:

1. Browse Available Markets: Polymarket offers a smorgasbord of prediction markets. Whether you’re into politics, sports, or even oddball events, there’s something for everyone.
2. Place Your Bet: Pick an event, buy shares in your chosen outcome, and let the games begin. The share prices range from $0 to $1, and if you win, you get $1 per share. Easy peasy!
3. Monitor and Cash Out: Keep an eye on your bets and cash out whenever you’re ready. Whether you’re reinvesting your winnings or treating yourself to something nice, the choice is yours.

Conclusion

And there you have all the knowledge about how to bet on Polymarket in the US as well as some other prediction platforms! Accessing Polymarket from the U.S. is totally doable with Bear VPN and a bit of crypto know-how. Just remember to stay on top of any legal considerations—using a VPN to bypass restrictions can sometimes be a gray area. But with these steps, you’ll be trading predictions and betting on outcomes like a pro.

So gear up, dive in, and may your predictions be ever in your favor!