Polymarket acquires CFTC-licensed exchange to enable regulated US entry
$112m acquisition of QCEX marks key step in prediction market’s transition toward legal access for American users.
Key points:
– Polymarket acquires QCEX, a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearinghouse, for $112m
– Move expected to enable fully regulated operations in the US
– Company reported $6bn in user predictions in H1 2025 alone
Polymarket has completed the $112m acquisition of QCX, LLC and QC Clearing LLC (together “QCEX”), marking its most significant step yet toward entering the US market under a regulated framework.
The deal gives the blockchain-based prediction platform access to existing Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) licences for exchange and clearing operations.
The acquisition allows Polymarket to offer real-money trading on real-world event outcomes to US users for the first time, within a fully compliant regulatory structure.
According to Polymarket, the transaction aligns with its long-term vision of expanding access to prediction markets while meeting the legal requirements of jurisdictions it operates in.
Shayne Coplan, Polymarket CEO, said: “Now, with the acquisition of QCEX, we are laying the foundation to bring Polymarket home – re-entering the US as a fully regulated and compliant platform that will allow Americans to trade their opinions.”
Good to know: Founded by Sergei Dobrovolskii, QCEX had been pursuing regulatory approval for over four years
Dobrovolskii commented: “Shayne has built a cultural phenomenon in Polymarket. I am excited to bring our companies together and leverage our licenses, technology, and expertise in the retail trading sector to help Polymarket reach its full potential.”
Polymarket was blocked in Singapore in January 2025 due to the country’s regulatory stance on unlicensed online gambling services, joining similar actions taken in the US, France and Taiwan.
Polymarket facilitated over $6bn in trades in the first half of 2025. The company also announced a recent partnership with X (formerly Twitter), aimed at increasing visibility and mainstream access to its markets.
The QCEX acquisition is expected to form the backbone of Polymarket’s legal US operations as regulators and industry stakeholders increasingly focus on transparency, licensing and responsible conduct in digital betting environments.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
