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(AsiaGameHub) –   Prediction market platform Polymarket has officially opened its U.S. exchange to iOS users without requiring invitation codes after an extended rollout period. This marks a major milestone in the company’s return to the American market following regulatory challenges and operational delays.

Polymarket Expands U.S. Access Following Regulatory Comeback

Apple users who download the app are now directed straight to a live trading interface with active markets, particularly for sporting events. Previously, gaining access required an invitation code and a waitlist spanning over six months. The updated onboarding process eliminates these obstacles, making it simpler for new users to join, according to Covers.

Polymarket’s return to the U.S. follows its acquisition of QCEX, a platform licensed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which provided it with the necessary regulatory foundation. This development enabled Polymarket to reenter the domestic market after facing penalties in 2022 for offering contracts that did not meet regulatory requirements. At the time, the company agreed to pay a fine and temporarily restricted access within the United States.

Although the relaunch had been anticipated earlier, progress lagged behind expectations. Reports indicated internal difficulties, including questions about leadership stability and complications with integrating the QCEX platform. Despite these setbacks, the company gradually expanded access, beginning with limited trading activity toward the end of last year.

Polymarket Gains Ground but Still Trails Market Leader Kalshi

The phased rollout has driven significant growth in trading volumes. Activity started modestly but surged notably during major sports events. During the NCAA basketball tournament and the Masters golf championship, trading volumes reached tens of millions of dollars, reflecting strong user engagement ahead of full access.

Since then, Polymarket has become one of the largest regulated prediction platforms in the U.S., surpassing competitors like Crypto.com. However, it continues to lag behind market leader Kalshi, which holds a dominant share of domestic trading volume.

The broader prediction market segment is gaining momentum in the U.S. Surveys indicate that an increasing number of Americans are placing bets on event-based contracts, especially in sports, bringing the industry closer to mainstream betting. Currently, Polymarket is available only on iOS, with no announced timeline for an Android version or web-based access. Nevertheless, removing the waitlist is expected to accelerate growth as the platform opens to a wider audience.