Polymarket, the leading decentralized prediction market platform, has officially launched support for direct Bitcoin (BTC) deposits as of October 6, 2025.
This update allows users to fund their accounts using BTC, expanding beyond the platform’s existing options on networks like Ethereum, Polygon, Base, Arbitrum, and Solana—where stablecoins such as USDC, USDT, DAI, and ETH were previously supported.
The move comes amid Bitcoin’s surge to new all-time highs, trading around $124,000 on October 7, up over 10% in the past week. Polymarket shared the news via a concise X post: “Bitcoin deposits. Now live.”
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This seamless integration lets users deposit BTC directly, converting it for use in betting on real-world events like elections, economic indicators, and crypto price movements.
With over 1.2 million users, the feature simplifies onboarding for BTC holders, eliminating the need to swap into stablecoins first. Withdrawals remain in USDC or USDC.e, with shares in resolved markets paying out $1.00 per correct outcome.
Deposits require a minimum amount to process, and users should use the platform’s provided BTC address. Gas fees or network costs apply as standard for blockchain transactions.
The timing aligns with bullish BTC momentum. On Polymarket’s own “What price will Bitcoin hit in October?” contract, traders give 60-61% odds to BTC reaching $130,000 by November 1, with a betting volume exceeding $655,000.
Historical data from CoinGlass shows BTC averaging 79% gains in Q4 since 2013, while analysts from JPMorgan and Standard Chartered forecast $165,000-$200,000 by year-end. Polymarket is reportedly finalizing a $200 million raise led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, potentially valuing it at $1 billion.
Separate talks with Intercontinental Exchange ICE, parent of the NYSE could inject $2 billion, pushing valuations to $8-10 billion and signaling major TradFi integration. After a 2022 CFTC fine for unregistered operations, Polymarket acquired licensed exchange QCEX in July 2025 and received a no-action letter in September, paving the way for U.S. re-entry.
The update positions Polymarket against rivals like Kalshi, which recently surpassed it in volume. BTC deposits could drive higher liquidity in high-stakes markets, especially as spot BTC ETFs saw $3.24 billion in inflows last week.
This rollout underscores Polymarket’s push toward mainstream accessibility, blending BTC’s dominance with decentralized forecasting. If you’re a user, head to Polymarket’s deposit section to try it—expect quick processing on the Bitcoin network.
By supporting BTC, the most widely held cryptocurrency, Polymarket lowers barriers for crypto-native users who primarily hold BTC and may not want to convert to stablecoins or ETH. This could drive user growth beyond its current 1.2 million accounts.
Direct BTC deposits eliminate the need for users to navigate exchanges or bridges to fund accounts, streamlining the process and potentially boosting adoption, especially among less tech-savvy BTC holders.
BTC’s massive market cap $2.4T as of October 7, 2025 and recent price surge to $124,000 could funnel more capital into Polymarket’s markets, increasing liquidity for contracts like election outcomes or crypto price predictions $655K already bet on BTC’s October price.
BTC’s integration may attract institutional players, especially as spot BTC ETFs see $3.24B in weekly inflows, signaling growing mainstream acceptance. This could lead to larger, more competitive markets.
With competitors like Kalshi recently overtaking Polymarket in volume, BTC deposits strengthen Polymarket’s appeal as a crypto-native platform, potentially recapturing market share. The move aligns with Polymarket’s rumored $200M raise from Founders Fund and talks with ICE for a $2B investment.
Supporting BTC positions Polymarket as a hybrid platform appealing to both DeFi users and traditional finance players eyeing crypto integration. Polymarket’s recent acquisition of licensed exchange QCEX and a CFTC no-action letter September 2025 signal compliance efforts.
Adding BTC deposits reinforces its legitimacy, potentially easing concerns from regulators and institutional investors. This could enhance Polymarket’s valuation, potentially hitting $8-10B if the ICE deal materializes.
Increased BTC transactions for deposits could drive network activity, though users must account for Bitcoin’s gas fees and confirmation times, which may affect smaller deposits. By integrating BTC, Polymarket strengthens the role of prediction markets in crypto, where users can bet on BTC price movements alongside real-world events, blending speculation with utility.
BTC’s price swings 10% weekly gain to $124K could complicate user experience if deposits are converted to stablecoins at fluctuating rates, requiring clear UX to manage expectations. While Polymarket is making compliance strides, adding BTC could draw attention from regulators in jurisdictions skeptical of crypto’s use in betting platforms.
Polymarket’s BTC deposit rollout is a strategic move to capitalize on Bitcoin’s dominance and mainstream momentum, enhancing user access, market liquidity, and competitive positioning. It aligns with Polymarket’s broader push toward TradFi integration and regulatory compliance, potentially reshaping the prediction market landscape.