Polymarket, the prediction markets platform, has officially confirmed the launch of its native token, POLY, along with an accompanying airdrop. The announcement comes amid rising demand for prediction markets and a growing user base.
The company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Matthew Modabber, emphasized that careful planning is essential before releasing the token. Speaking on the Degenz Live podcast, he said that the priority remains the rollout of Polymarket’s U.S. application, which recently regained regulatory approval after a 2022 hiatus.
“We want POLY to be a token with real utility and long-term value—a token that lasts. That is our commitment and what users expect from us,” Modabber noted.
Earlier this month, co-founder Shane Coplan had hinted at the upcoming token, stating: “There will be a token, there will be an airdrop.”
U.S. Launch Remains Top Priority
Modabber clarified that while the token could be released at any time, the focus remains on the U.S. app launch. Once the platform is fully operational in the U.S., attention will shift to ensuring the token is launched successfully and operates reliably.
“Why rush the token if we need to prioritize the American application? After the U.S. launch, our main focus will be on POLY and its proper deployment,” he explained.
Market Expectations and Airdrop Speculation
The announcement sparked discussion in the crypto community, with speculation that the airdrop could be proportional to trading activity—rewarding the platform’s most active users.
Polymarket’s announcement coincides with record trading activity. Last month, the platform reported $1.4 billion in trading volume, according to The Block. By comparison, competitor Kalshi processed more than 2.5 billion prediction contracts over the same period.
Institutional Interest and Funding
Polymarket is actively courting institutional investors. Bloomberg reported ongoing negotiations for new funding at a potential valuation of $15 billion. In September, the platform secured $2 billion from Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, increasing its valuation to $9 billion, following a $150 million funding round in June led by Peter Thiel’s Founder’s Fund, when the valuation was $1.2 billion.
Additionally, Polymarket recently signed a multi-year licensing agreement with the National Hockey League, further cementing its mainstream partnerships.
