Polymarket has secured a major regulatory breakthrough after the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued an Amended Order of Designation, officially allowing the prediction-market operator to run an intermediated trading platform under full federal exchange rules.
As reported by PR Newswire, the decision significantly expands Polymarket’s operating scope, bringing the platform closer to the compliance expectations governing established US trading venues. Under the updated designation, the company can now interact more closely with mainstream financial infrastructure and support activity traditionally handled by regulated intermediaries.
CFTC approval opens access to brokerages and US market infrastructure
A key change in the amended designation is the authorisation for intermediated access, enabling Polymarket to onboard brokerages, futures commission merchants, and US customers through regulated channels. This aligns the platform with the operational model used by traditional exchanges, complete with standardised custody, settlement, and reporting functions.
The approval also confirms that Polymarket will operate within the framework of the Commodity Exchange Act, with full CFTC oversight across its intermediated trading environment.
In a statement following the decision, Polymarket founder and CEO Shayne Coplan said the updated designation reflects the expectations of operating within a federally supervised regime. He said, “This approval allows us to operate in a way that reflects the maturity and transparency that the US regulatory framework demands. We’re grateful for the constructive engagement with the CFTC and look forward to continuing to demonstrate leadership as a regulated US exchange.”
Enhanced surveillance and reporting required before full rollout
As part of the amended order, Polymarket has implemented new surveillance and supervisory systems, together with clearing-related upgrades designed to bring the platform in line with federal market-integrity standards. These include enhanced market-monitoring tools and Part 16 regulatory reporting systems that all Designated Contract Markets must maintain.
The company said additional operational safeguards and rule changes required for intermediated trading will be completed before the updated platform goes live.
Under the classification, Polymarket remains responsible for meeting every statutory and regulatory obligation that applies to federally regulated exchanges, including self-regulatory responsibilities, audit functions, and ongoing compliance reviews.
Return to focus on sports events
Previous reports indicate that the relaunch’s first phase is expected to focus heavily on sports. The relaunch schedule aligns with the busy autumn football and basketball seasons, offering a chance to regain momentum at the height of US betting interest.
Polymarket stepped back from the US in 2022 after the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) intervened over alleged unregistered trading activity. The resulting settlement included a ban on serving American users. During that period, the company also ran into similar barriers overseas, facing regulatory resistance in the UK, Australia, France, and parts of Eastern Asia.
Despite this, the platform has continued to grow internationally, securing $112 million to support expansion efforts and keep its US ambitions on ice rather than abandoning them. In October, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), invested $2 billion in blockchain-based prediction market Polymarket, valuing the company at around $8 billion.
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